Our Woods - Penworks Plus

Our Woods

Click on each wood to view a sample. If you prefer to browse with visual samples see our Wood Selection.

Afzalia - XYLAY	Afzelia XYLAY: (Afzelia sp.) Lustrous yellowish red. A beautiful wood which can resemble snakeskin. Will make wonderful pens & pencils. Finishes to a high gloss.

Afzalia Burl	Afzelia Burl: (Afzelia sp.) Lustrous yellowish red. A beautiful burl which will make wonderful pens & pencils. Quite rare and expensive. A winner.

Alder - Spalted	Spalted Alder. A Pacific N.W. wood. Spalting occurs naturally when micro organisms attack the wood and leave figures in the wood which are generally black and make very attractive pens.

@!Woods:WOOD	This absolutely beautiful wood come from the White Apache country in the higher elevations of Arizona. Finishes very well with a high glass like finish.

Amboyna Burl	Amboyna Burl (Pterocarpus indicus) Rarest of the burls. Tight burly figure and beautiful reddish-orange color with lots of burl 'eyes.' Machines & turns well. High lustrous finish. A favorite of my customers. S.E. Asia

Ambrosia Maple	A fantastically marked maple. Exquisite in its never ending design. This is a real winner. The turner's choice.

Ancient Kauri	This wood is the oldest non-petrified wood in the world. It has been hidden, buried in bogs, in New Zealand for over 50,000 years and the trees were over 2,000 years old when they fell. The wood has a beautiful sheen, is a golden brown and each pen comes with a certificate of authenticity. I don't have much of this great wood available. If you want a very special writing instrument with real ancient history, then you will want one made from this magnificent wood.

Apple - Spalted	Spalted Apple. This wood comes from the Pacific NW. Spalting occurs naturally in wood and gives it character. Makes a very attractive pen.

Beefwood	A beautiful Australian wood. This wood is a favorite of many of my customers. Finishes well to a shiny beautiful finish. A high end wood for a high end pen.

Birds Eye Wandoo	A rare Australian wood with fantastic character. Makes a very attractive pen. You may have to stand in line for this wood.

Birdseye Maple	Birds eye maple: (Acer saccharum) A natural occurrence found predominately in hard maple causes 'eyes' to form that give a striking figure to the wood. Straight grain with intermittent eyes make this a great wood for writing instruments. U.S.A. An all time favorite.

Black Ebony	Black Ebony is a beauty that has to be the King of all very-dark-to-black woods. Turns well and finishes to a shiny, nearly wet look. This wood makes an outstanding writing instrument.

Black Heart Sassafras	Black Heart Sassafras. This wood is found in several areas in the world. This particular wood comes from Australia and will make someone very happy when they receive a pen made from this wood. Turns well and finishes to a high luster.

Black Limba	Black Limba (Terminalie superba) Makes a very attractive pen. Comes from Guinea to Angola to Zaire.

Black Walnut - Crotch	Black Walnut - Crotch wood. This black walnut wood comes from the crotch area in the tree. The wild grain is fantastic and will make a very attractive pen. Finishes well with a very classy glow.

Blackwood - African	African Blackwood (Delbergia metanoxylon). Heartwood is brown to purplish-black. Black streaked figuring. This wood is very hard, turns well and finishes to a glossy glow. South Africa.

Bocote	Bocote. (Cordia elaeagnoIdes) Yellowish green to tobacco brown with black stripes, straight to convoluted grain. This wood is sometimes called "Mexican Rosewood." Makes a beautiful pen and pencil set. Finishes with a high gloss. Mexico

Box Elder - Flamed	Box Elder - Flamed. This box elder wood was attacked by a fungus which has resulted in the red staining of the wood. Very attractive and quite rare. You just have to see what this wood looks like when it is finished. Unbelievable.

Box Elder Burl	Box Elder burl. Box elder grows in many areas in North America. This particular wood comes from Utah and will make a very attractive pen. Turns well and takes a nice shine.

Bubinga - Curly	Bubinga - Curly (Guibourtia tessmannli) Pinkish red, darkening with exposure, often called African Rosewood, hard & heavy, taking a beautiful finish. West Africa.

Buckeye Burl	Buckeye Burl (Aesculus articulta) A most unusual burl. Color ranges from bright yellow to cream with streaks of black, blue & white throughout. Wild grained with many 'eyes.' This is a beautiful burl which takes a very fine polish and is exceedingly difficult to turn on a lathe.

Camphor Burl	Camphor Burl (cinnamomum spp.) This very rare burl is nearly impossible to find on the market today. I have found only enough to make 4 pens. First come - first served. Finishes nicely with a glowing polish.

Canary Wood - Cross cut	Canary Wood (Centrolobium microchaete). This wood makes a very attractive pen. Especially when cross cut. Comes from So. America

Cardinal Wood	Cardinal Wood (Brosimem paraense) also called bloodwood. Strawberry red. Dense & oily. Takes a fine, beautiful shine. Does not darken much with exposure. Brazil

Carob	Carob. This wood comes from the Holy Land. Is quite rare but is still available in certain markets. Very hard, turns well and finishes with a lustrous glow. A piece of history.

Ceylon Satinwood	Satinwood (Euxlophora paraensis) also know as Pau amarello. This wood is becoming rare. Finishes with a glossy "wet look". Makes into a very classy pen.

Chakte Kok	Chakte Kok (Sickingia salvadorensis). Closely resembles red heart. A very nice wood to work with and makes fine looking writing instruments.

Chechem	Chechem (Metopium brownie) Reddish brown with dark striping & golden luster. Easy to work and takes a fine finish. Mexico

Cherry	Cherry: (Prunus serotina) Hard, straight grained with firm texture. Heartwood is a reddish brown to deep red, with brown flecks, and will naturally darken with age. Works well with power tools, finishes well, is an excellent wood for turning and takes a high glossy finish.

China Berry	A nice turning wood. From the Southwest U.S. Turns well and makes a great writing instrument.

Cocobolo	Cocobolo: (Dalbergia retusa) One of our most beautiful rosewoods, red to orange with variegated black striping. Very dense and oily, taking a high polish. Turnery, knife handles, pens & pencils, bird calls, walking canes and all forms of fancy woodwork. Difficult to glue. Mexico and Central America

Cocus wood	Cocus wood has to be one of my favorite woods. It has a golden chocolate color, turns well, finishes with a very brilliant (almost wet) look. Very rare and is getting nearly impossible to find. Primary uses are for clarinets and other high end musical instruments.

Corrigata Burl	Corrigata Burl. This burl comes primarily from Australia and is quite hard with very few voids which are not uncommon in some burls. Turns well and finishes with a golden glow. Nice wood.

Ebony - Black & White	Black & White Ebony (Diaspyros embryopteris). Rare species of ebony. Turns and finishes well. Features distinct black & white streaks. Myanmar, Laos.

Ebony - Macassar	Macassar Ebony (Diaspyrus celebica). This is a beautful ebony which is hard and heavy. Must have sharp tools to work with this wood. Makes a wonderful writing instrument. From India

English Oak burl	English Oak Burl. This prized wood turns well and makes superior pens. Finises to a high gloss.

English Walnut	Many of my customers prefer this mid-American wood as it has more character than Black Walnut. Makes fine writing instruments.

Eucalyptus Burl	This Australian Burl is a beauty. Just look at the swirls and eyes in this burl. Turns well and finishes with a beautiful sheen.

Gmelia Burl	Gmelia Burl. This burl comes primarily from Australia and is quite hard with very few voids which are not uncommon in some burls. Turns well and finishes with a golden glow. Makes into a choice writing instrument.

Goncalo Alves	Goncalo Alves: (Astronium sp.) Light to dark reddish brown with black streaks. Hard, heavy and waxy. It is fine grained, is easy to work, and takes a beautiful finish. Brazil

Granadilla	Granadilla: (Platymiscium pinnatum) Reddish brown, hard & heavy. Often used as a rosewood substitute. Takes a high polish. Mexico

Hackberry - Spalted	Spalted Hackberry. This wood comes from south-central U.S. It is very attractive and turns well.

Imbuya	Imbuya (Phoebe porosa). Another name for this beautiful wood is "Brazilian Walnut". It makes very attractive pens, especially when used with the platinum pens.

Iron Wood - SW desert	A very hard and beautiful wood. Colors range from nearly black, to all shades of brown. Turns well and takes a nearly "wet look" when finished. A very popular wood with my customers.

Jarrah - Curly	A stunning wood from Australia. A reddish-brown with hints of pink. This wood makes into truly beautiful writing instruments.

Jarrah Burl	Jarrah Burl: (Eucalyptus marginata) Brick red color, heavily figured with many 'eyes'. Hard & heavy. Takes a lustrous shine..... Makes into a beautiful writing instrument. From Australia.

Katalox	A beautiful almost burgandy colored wood. Finishes nicely with a high shiny flow. A real winner.

Kingwood	Kingwood: (Dalbergia congestiflora) Also called Camotilla. Deep purple with light and dark stripes. Very hard and heavy. Oily, so it takes beautiful polish. Very rare. Mexico Kingwood gets its name from the era of the French Revolution. Brazil

Koa - Fiddleback	Koa: (Koa acacia) Koa is the largest of the native trees of Hawaii. This tree has been used by native Hawaiians to make canoes, carved figures, furniture and in recent years in the craft industry. Koa is a moderately heavy wood and can range in color from golden orange to a deep reddish brown. Koa is famous for its Ribbon grain which often results in a highly figured wood. This wood turns easily and polishes to a high sheen.

Lace Leaf She Oak	Lace She Oak. This Australian wood is quite rare. It is said that only a very small percentage of the She Oak trees have this lace effect. Turns nicely (as most Australian woods do) and finishes to a glowing shine.

Lacewood	Lacewood: (Carwellia sp.) Light pinkish red with very pronounced rays or 'silver' grain. Medium texture, high luster. Australia

Leopard Wood	Leopard Wood (Panopis rubellens). Makes a very attractive pen. Finishes well and takes a beautiful high gloss.

Lignum Vitae	Lignum Vitae (Bulnesfa sarmientol) A very hard and dense wood. Cuts well using sharp tools and finishes to a shiny glow. Highly prized.

Lychee	A beautiful Hawaiian wood. An excellent choice for pen and pencils. Finishes with a high gloss.

Macadamia Nut	Macadamia Nut wood. This Hawaiin wood makes a very attractive pen. Turns well and finished to a very shining glow. Nice wood and a favorite of my customers.

Madrone burl	Madrone Burl: (Arbutus menziesli) These burls have a medium to high density of small bird's eyes. Reddish to pinkish brown. Takes a beautiful polish. N. W. U.S.A.

Mahogany - Philippine	Mahogany - Philippine (Swietenia macrophylla). This reddish-brown wood is commonly used in quality furniture but has become popular with pen makers.

Mallee - Brown	This Australian burl is a favorite of our turner friends from "Down Under". Makes a top-of-the-line writing instrument. Finishes well with a glowing finish.

Mallee - Red	This Australian burl is a favorite of our turner friends from "Down Under". Makes a top-of-the-line writing instrument - especially when using Platinum parts.

Maple - Fiddleback	Maple - Fiddleback (Acer saccharum). Figure consists of a ribbon effect. Heartwood is a pinkish to light cream color. Maple turns well and make a beautiful pen. Pacific N.W. USA

Maple - Spalted	Maple - spalted ( Acer saccharum ). Spalting occures when micro oganisms begin to attack the wood. Generally, the wood has dark brown to black streaks in an irregular pattern. Turns well and polishes quite nicely. A great choice for a pen. Pacific N.W. USA

Marblewood	Marblewood (Marmaroxylon racemosum) Has a marble like appearance. Yellowish brown with dark red to black streaks. Hard but turns well and finishes to a beautilul shine. Suriname

Masur Birch	An absolutely beautiful exotic Scandinavian wood. A high end wood for high end pens. Finishes with a high gloss.

Mesquite	Mesquite Wood: (Prosopis julifora) This beautiful wood is heavy and very hard. The basic color of this amazing wood is brown, ranging from light to dark brown. The yellows, pinks and orange/reds appear in marble like grains to make this an exquisite wood. Mesquite wood is a pleasure to work with and takes a beautiful high polish. S.W. USA and Mexico

Mesquite burl	Mesquite Burl (Prosopis julifora) This is the burl from a mesquite tree. It has beautiful swirls of colors and many eyes. Primary color is a light orange brown with black, yellow and pinkish red streaks. Turns quite well and finishes beautifully. A real favorite. S.W. USA and Mexico

Milo	Milo: (Thespesia popuinea) A beautiful wood from the Island of Hawaii. It is a small tree maturing to only 4 to 5 inches in diameter. Its dark brown heartwood and light tan sapwood make a striking writing instrument. This wood is quite rare, heavy, and takes a high polish.

Moose Antler	Moose are a member of the deer family and like their cousins they drop their antlers in late fall or early winter. This rare antler cloely resembles ivory and makes a very attractive pen.

Myrtle burl - Oregon	Myrtle Burl (Umbelluria californica) This burl is a yellowish brown with olive brown streaks. It has a wavy figure. Very rare. Turns well and polishes nicely. Pacific N.W. USA

Myrtle Curly - Oregon	Myrtlewood: (Umbellularia californica) Also called Pepper Wood. Color varies greatly from yellowish gray to greenish black, often with curly or burly figure. Popular turning wood for the novelty industry. This wood also makes unbelievable pens & pencils. N. W. U.S.A.

Oak - English Brown	Oak: (Quercas alba) Pale to dark brown in color with a pinkish shade, grain is very straight with a relatively porous open structure. Finishes with a high gloss.

Ohia	This Hawaiian wood is a dark chocolate brown wood with tan to black stripes. It turnes well and finishes with a striking glow.

Olive wood - from Bethlehem	Olivewood: (Oleo europa) Yellowish brown with dark brown streaks. Hard & heavy. Grain is straight to wavy, very fine texture. This is an expensive but very beautiful wood. Machines well and takes a fine finish. Very rare. Holy Land. Each writing instrument comes with a certificate of authenticity of origin.

Osage Orange	Osage Orange: (Maclura pomifera) A medium to hard wood with a golden yellow to bright orange heartwood, with possible pronounced darker grain streaks. Medium to coarse texture, straight grained. Machines well with sharp power tools and is excellent for turning. Takes a high polish. Southern U.S.A. and Argentina.

Padauk	Padauk: (Pterocarpus soyauxii) Medium to hard wood, heartwood is deep orange red that will age to a deeper orange brown. Moderately course grain texture with straight to interlocking grain patterns. Machines & turns well with a high polish. West Africa

Palea	A striking light reddish-brown wood. Close and straight grained. It turns well and makes a very nice pen and pencil.

Pau Ferro	Rosewood, Santos (Pau Ferro): (Machaerium scleroxylon) Reddish brown to dark cocoa brown, often with darker stripes. Fine grained with a high luster. Bolivia

Pernambuco	Pernambuco (Caesalpinia echinate). This wood comes primarily from Brazil and finishes to a brilliant glossy finish.

Pheasant Wood	Pheasant Wood: A beautiful, heavy wood. Dark brown with light brown veins. Very hard and yet turns well. Pheasant wood make a strikingly beautiful writing instrument. Takes a high polish. Very rare, from Hawaii. A real winner.

Pink Ivory	Pink Ivory: (Birchemia zeyheri) Bright pink to watermelon red. Hard & heavy, very fine texture and takes a beautiful polish. One of the rarest woods in the world. Turnery, inlays, fancy woodwork, knife handles & writing instruments. Known as the Royal wood of the Zulus. An absolute favorite of the ladies. E.& S. Africa.

Pistachio	This is the wood from the famous pistachio nut tree. Turns nicely with sharp tools and finishes with a high luster. From The U.S.A.

Pomelled Sapele	This is an absolutely beautiful "high end" wood. It turns well, takes a glowing bright finish and makes for an outstanding writing instrument. The picture does not do it justice.

Primivera	A very nice and attractive wood. I have made some beautiful writing instruments from this exotic wood. Quite hard and finishes to a shining glow.

Purple Heart	Purple Heart: (Peltogyne) Medium to hard wood with tight, fairly straight grain with moderately coarse texture. Bright purple when cut, darkens to a brownish purple with exposure. Machines well with sharp tools. Turns & finishes well. Central & South America.

Red Heart	Red Heart. This South American wood is hard and somewhat heavy. It turns well and fisishes to a glowing sheen. Great for pens.

Red Kabob	A beautiful rare wood. Straight grained and turns well with a bright & glowing finish. Makes a very attractive writing instrument.

Red Morrell Burl	This Australian burl is one of the most stirking burls I carry. It is quite rare. My supplier has been waiting for months to have his order filled. Truly one of the most magnificent burls in the world. Turns well and polishes to a very shiny "wet" look. Don't wait too long or it will be gone.

Red Palm	Red Palm (Cocas nucifera) Red stringy pattern. Makes a beautiful pen but must be careful in turning as it is brittle and prone to splitting. SE Asia

Redwood burl	A strikingly beautiful burl. Redish to orange with black veins. Many eyes and turns well. Makes a very nice pen or pencil. Pacific USA

Robusta - Eucalyptus	A very hard and popular wood from Hawaii. Turns well with a high gloss finish.

Rose Myrtle Burl	An Australian exotic wood. Turns well and when the writing instrument is completed it has a bright and glowing finish. A favorite.

Rosewood - Bolivian	This South American rosewood has close straight interlocking grain, and finishes well. A true rosewood.

Rosewood - Brazilian	Brazilian Rosewood (Dalbergia nigra). This is one of the rarest woods in the world, primarily due to over harvesting in the early 1900's. There are very few old growth trees left and possibly none in areas that are accessible. What old growth is available is from the stumps of trees cut nearly a hundred years ago. A beautiful wood with a very high glossy finish. High end pens using platinum parts will make a collectors pen.

Rosewood - East Indian	East Indian Rosewood (Dalbergia latifolic) A beautiful purple/brownish coloration. Has darker streaks and turns well. India

Rosewood - Madagascar	Madagascar Rosewood (Dalbergia baroni) A very hard, tight grained wood. Turns and finishes quite well. Madagascar

Salmon Gum Burl	This is a beautiful wood that is about as hard as any burl. From Australia. Salmon Gum turns well with sharp tools and finishes with a bright glow.

Shedua - African	Shedua (Guibourtia arnoldiana). Uses of this wood have increased since the handmade small turnings have gained in popularity. Makes a very attractive pen.

Siberian Pea Tree	An extremely attractive wood. Eastern Great Britain. You will be pleased with your writing instrument made using this wood. Hard but turns well using sharp tools. Finishes with a brilliant shine. Very, very nice. (caragana arborescens)

Snappy Gum	A very hard and beautiful "Aussie" wood. My supplier has not been able to purchase it anymore. Makes a fantastic pen and pencil. Turns well and takes a shiny finish. Hurry on this one.

Tambootie	A hard, tan brown wood with subtle graining. This wood makes a great writing instrument. Finishes well with a high gloss.

Tasmanian Blackwood - Highly figured	Tasmanian Blackwood (Acacia melanoxylon). Also know as Black wattle. A close cousin of Koa but has more character and makes a very attractive pen.

Teak - Burma	Teak (Tectona grandis). This teak originates in Burma and for years was used almost exclusively for ship decks, flooring and quality furniture. Very oily and takes a magnificant finish.

Thuya Burl	Thuya Burl: (Tetraclinis articulata) Golden reddish brown with heavy small dark 'eyes'. Hard, heavy, oily, aromatic. Turns well and takes a high shine. Morocco

Tulip Wood	Tulipwood: (Dalbergia frutescens) Hard dense wood with a pinkish to yellowish heartwood with pronounced stripes of violet, salmon & rose. Grain is interlocked & irregular with a medium to fine texture and is easily turned on a lathe. This is a real beauty and is very popular with the ladies. Brazil

Vasticola Burl	A beautiful "Down Under" burl. Quite rare and a favorite burl of mine. The color is exquisite and it turns into a true collectors writing instrument

Vitica Arboria Burl	Vitica Arboria Burl - A very rare wood. Turns to a beautiful finish. Makes a fantastic writing instrument. Laos

White Holly - Eastern	This absolutely exquisite wood comes from the Eastern USA. It is very close grained, and finishes with a high luster. I have made some very high end pens using this wood. This is a winner.

Wild Cherry Burl	This wood comes from Maine and is an example of what Mother Nature can do with her woods. You have to try this burl. Fantastic! And finishes to a fine brilliant glow.

Yew - Western	Pacific Yew: (Taxus baccata) Bright orange to brown. Fine grained & turns easily. This wood was not available for years but is again being harvested. Makes into a very attractive writing instrument. Takes a high polish. Pacific N.W.

York Gum burl	This Australian burl is very attractive. Just look at the way the grain of the burl runs in every direction. Very popular turning wood in Australia. Finishes with a high sheen.

Yorrell Burl	This is a very nice Australian burl. Rare and very solid. Turns well to a brilliant finish. Makes a choice writing instrument.

Zebrano - Zebra wood	Zebra Wood: (Microberlinia brazzavillenis) Medium to heavy hardwood with possible coarse grain texture. Light tan to golden yellow with streaks of dark brown to black. This wood turns easily and makes a beautiful writing instrument. Africa

Zircote	Zircote: (Cordia dodecandra) Tobacco brown with irregular blackish streaks & variegations. Hard & heavy. Takes a high polish. Mexico

Penworks Plus
Jim & Marilyn Lawrence, 13303 Westbrook Dr. SW, Port Orchard, WA 98367
(360) 895 - 8111 FAX (360) 895-8222 CELL (360) 621 - 9464

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