Favorite wood for finials

[Eric Gourieux]

I've been working on refining my finials and wondered what you're preferred wood is to turn finials. So far, my favorite is holly.

What's your favorite wood for turninga finial?






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[John Keeton]

Holly is good, and I use it a lot, but African Blackwood is, by far, the best I have found - hard, dense, holds detail, cuts clean with sharp tools, and looks great. There are others that turn well, including cocobolo, but the color is a consideration for me. I usually prefer white holly, or black, though I have used walnut, too, when the color was required for continuity. The open grain of the walnut can be an issue.

[Steve Schlumpf]

I've used Maple, Cherry, Walnut and even acrylic but have to agree with John - African Blackwood works best!

[Bernie Weishapl]

I also have used Cherry, walnut, Maple, holly and my favorite african blackwood.

[Scott Hackler]

Hands down, African Blackwood. Super dense and stable at very small diameters.

[Ron Bontz]

Oh sure. Now you guys are gong to make me go out and buy so African Blackwood somewhere. Has any of you tried Bubinga? I was thinking a small Bubinga and Maple vessel.

[Thom Sturgill]

I've used bubinga on a few finials and stems for small goblets (more like a white wine flute). Works fine for me. I've also used hard maple and ebony, but not blackwood. Persimmon should work well too, its a cousin to ebony and is native, I want to try it, but I have not gotten any yet.

[David DeCristoforo]

I seem to be in the much smaller camp comprised of those who do not have an aversion to turning ebony. I have never used blackwood so I cannot offer a comparison. Ebony is brittle but it is no problem to turn and I love the way ebony polishes. I have used bubinga for pedestals and stems when I plan on using red in the color scheme. But watch out for the figured stuff if you are turning thin...