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Which Wood is Best
Storey Publishing
For a seasoned woodworker, like Spike Carlsen, former executive editor of Family Handyman and author of Woodwoorking FAQ: The Workshop Companion, choosing the right wood for the right job is second-nature. For the rest of us, it involves a bit of research. If you are tackling a project—and in doubt, read on to find out Carlsen’s top 10 picks for the best woodworking woods.
Ash
Trendir
Characteristics: Gray-brown; straight, pronounced grain; coarse texture; heavy and strong
Uses: Bats, hockey sticks, tool handles, furniture, curved boat parts
Price: $$
Butternut
House Beautiful
Characteristics: White to light brown; soft; straight, coarse grain
Uses: Carving, cabinets, turning, kitchen utensils
Price: $$
Cherry
Core77
Characteristics: Light to dark, reddish brown; straight, faint grain; moderately hard; finishes well
Uses: Cabinets, architectural woodwork, furniture, pipes
Price: $$$
Hard Maple
DeVos Custom Woodworking
Characteristics: Light, reddish brown; straight, faint grain; moderately hard; finishes well
Uses: Furniture, cabinets, flooring, butcher blocks, baseball bats, piano actions
Price: $$
Mahogany
Characteristics: Light to deep reddish brown; straight, interlocked grain; coarse texture
Uses: Fine furniture, office furniture, decorative veneers, stairways, boatbuilding, caskets, pattern making
Price: $$$
Pine
Characteristics: Pale yellow to light brown; soft and lightweight; stains poorly; good workability
Uses: Construction lumber, millwork, window sashes, doors, musical instruments, cabinets, paneling
Price: $
Rosewood
Characteristics: Chocolate brown to violet brown; amazing figure; heavy, hard, and dense (barely floats); oily; rare
Uses: Stringed instruments, turning, fine furniture, decorative items
Price: $$$$
Teak
Characteristics: Golden brown; resists rot and moisture; oily; abrasive on tool edges; sawdust is an irritant
Uses: Outdoor furniture, boat decks, flooring
Price: $$$
Walnut
Characteristics: Light gray-brown to purplish brown; highly figured grain, burls, and crotches; polishes well; strong and stable
Uses: Furniture, carving, gunstocks, cabinets
Price: $$$
White and Red Oak
Characteristics: Reddish brown to tan; strong grain figure; hard and heavy; stains well
Uses: Cabinets, flooring, furniture; cooperage and boatbuilding (white oak only)
Price: $$