Exotic Wood - Is there Interest?

[Keith Outten]

I have recently received a donation of over 800 pen blanks from a new friend of mine who wants to help support SawMill Creek. My question is how many people would be interested in purchasing pen blanks here? I can prep the blanks, make serial numbers and post pictures of each blank if there is interest. If this goes well my friend can provide knife blanks and bowl blanks as well.

These were all imported before they were placed on the list of banned species. I'm not sure that I can answer any questions concerning exotic species, my experience is limited to local hardwoods in Virginia.

Bees Wing Figured Narra
Snakewood
Figured Afzelia
Figured Narra AK Amboyna
Siamese
Afzelia XY-Lay
Long Leaf Pine (not Pictured)

[Roland Martin]

I may be interested in some,

[John K Jordan]

Are some of them highly figured, for example the Snakewood? Burl-figured Amboyna Narra is fantastic wood - I don't know about the beeswing but it sounds intriguing .

What sizes do you have? At least 5/8"sq x 5"?

I rarely turn pens but I often look for small pieces of figured wood for other uses. I do know a lot of people who turn pens - when I make up bundles of pen blanks from both exotic and domestic woods for our club auction I'm always surprised how much they go for with people bidding against each other. These were woods like olive, bubinga, highly figured walnut, spalted maple, etc. I typically make bundles of 10 or so.

(That's another idea - auction them to the right audience. Our turning club has an annual auction and I get to be the auctioneer - brought in over $1800 last month!)

If your friend is able and willing to provide larger sizes of figured wood, I'll be the first in line. I use a lot of 1.5" to 2"+ squares, as short as 3" or so, preferably longer.

JKJ

[Eugene Dixon]

I may have some interest as well.

[Keith Outten]

The pen blanks I have are all at least 3/4" by 5" long. Some are 7/8" by 5" long.

My friend is David Borek (https://sawmillcreek.org/member.php?179580-David-Borek), I believe he told me he has containers of exotic lumber inventory he would like to sell, its time for him to retire. I could post pictures of his inventory all day long.

You can contact David by Private Message (https://sawmillcreek.org/private.php?do=newpm&u=179580) for now. I will post his contact information shortly.

[John K Jordan]

Thanks you, I will contact him. This may be worth a trip for a visit!

EDIT: oops, when I click on the link I got this: "David Borek has chosen not to receive private messages or may not be allowed to receive private messages. "

JKJ


The pen blanks I have are all at least 3/4" by 5" long. Some are 7/8" by 5" long.

My friend is David Borek (https://sawmillcreek.org/member.php?179580-David-Borek), I believe he told me he has over 2 million dollars of exotic lumber inventory he would like to sell, its time for him to retire. I could post pictures of his inventory all day long.

You can contact David by Private Message (https://sawmillcreek.org/private.php?do=newpm&u=179580) for now. I will post his contact information shortly.

[Keith Outten]

John, I corrected the issue. You can contact David now.

[David Borek]

Hi Im new to SMC Im learning how to use it. Please send me a private message and Ill respond and give you my Phone number to talk about Exotics I have two containers of Exiotics from Laos when I purchased them in 2003-4 I have all the reciepts on all of it. I have beams and we can cut Acoustic Guitar Sets, Lots of premium Rosewoods and 2" thick wide lumber of Afzelia XY-Lay and Maidou Burl, Afzelia Burl, Mun Ebony, Bees Wing NARRA Figure, Rosewood Burl. Desert Ironwood, 0ver 36 species of burls. Ive been cutting burls now for 42 years and turning since 1964. what ever you are looking for I most likely have it. David J. Borek SW of Austin, Texas.

[Walter Mooney]

Keith, David,

I too am interested. David, I will send you a PM as i will be in Austin in June. I’d like to visit you then.

[jim carter]

i have manzanita.

[jim carter]

Hi Im new to SMC Im learning how to use it. Please send me a private message and Ill respond and give you my Phone number to talk about Exotics I have two containers of Exiotics from Laos when I purchased them in 2003-4 I have all the reciepts on all of it. I have beams and we can cut Acoustic Guitar Sets, Lots of premium Rosewoods and 2" thick wide lumber of Afzelia XY-Lay and Maidou Burl, Afzelia Burl, Mun Ebony, Bees Wing NARRA Figure, Rosewood Burl. Desert Ironwood, 0ver 36 species of burls. Ive been cutting burls now for 42 years and turning since 1964. what ever you are looking for I most likely have it. David J. Borek SW of Austin, Texas.


do you want to trade for manzanita?

[Karl Card]

I would be very interested. 99 percent of my pen blanks are imported exotic woods.

[Keith Outten]

Just a few people but I will prep and take pictures of a few pen blanks and post them in the Classifieds Forum ASAP.

[Allen Arin]

I am too interested in it

[Dean Thomas]

I'm late to the party, but might be interested in pen blanks if the price is right and if they are available. Please let me know about availability and price points.

[Keith Outten]

I have a couple projects in my shop right now that are keeping me very busy but I will post pictures and prices ASAP.

[Larry Blighton]

Any update to this thread, I just pick up my first lathe and looking for some blanks.

[John K Jordan]

Any update to this thread, I just pick up my first lathe and looking for some blanks.

Larry, until those are available: have you checked out local woodturning clubs? I see there is one in Jacksonville - http://www.jaxturners.org
If you haven't, a club is usually a great place to find wood to get started. Most have wood every month that members donate and the clubs raffle. Some have wood auctions - our club in Knoxville auctions a bunch of donated wood every year. The club is a great place to meet people who have lots of wood and are willing to share, sell, or trade. Most are local domestic woods, but Florida has some pretty nice tropicals! But the exotic species Keith mentioned would be of great interest since they are hard or nearly impossible to find.

JKJ

[Keith Outten]

Sorry for the delay. I have been busy lately and have had a medical issue to deal with that lasted over 5 weeks, and now Christmas season is here. I promise to get some pictures uploaded shortly and i am told that I can now start receiving some larger blanks, just need to work out the shipping details. We could sure use the revenue from the sale of turning blanks.

[David Reed]

Not really interested in pen blanks but larger pieces for turning and/or flat work interest me. Am I to assume it best to contact David directly or did he plan to upload some pics?
thanks

[John K Jordan]

Not really interested in pen blanks but larger pieces for turning and/or flat work interest me. Am I to assume it best to contact David directly or did he plan to upload some pics?
thanks

I contacted him last April and we talked for some time on the phone. It sounded like he had a lot of wood in good sizes. I expressed interest in some larger than pen blanks and he said he would let me know. I got all excited and was prepared to drive to Texas to look and buy. However, I never heard from him (maybe it was a misunderstanding.) Actually, with my unreliable memory I forgot all about it - each time I see another post to this thread I remember then forget again... [sigh]

I see he last checked SMC in October of '19 so if you contact him you might want to do it by email.

[Keith Outten]

I talked to David about ten days ago on the phone. He indicated that he does have smaller pieces available (larger than pen blanks). He has offered to send me some to sell here at The Creek but I am concerned about paying for two way shipping and what that would do to the price. If you have trouble contacting David let me know I seem to be
able to get through to him easily.

I have been swamped again lately with projects that droped into my shop unexpectedly. I recently got all of the boxes of pen blanks off the shelf, just need to finish engraving some medallions for a couple of Creekers before I can get the pen blanks sanded and take some pictures.

[Bert McMahan]

Put me down on the list as interested :)

I'd like some pen blanks and if there are any other small pieces I'd be interested as well. I mainly make small boxes, so even if a piece is just a few inches it would make a great box.

[Keith Outten]

I have three new threads with 15 pen blanks for sale in each thread in our Classifieds Forum.
I have more of these and other species to add as time permits, and assuming these will be popular.

[Ralph M Cox]

David, I came across your post about exotic wood yesterday - is some or much of it still available? Thanks, best regards, Ralph Cox, Austin, TX