Wood Species Question

[Mike Goetzke]

Anyone use European Steamed Beech? I can purchase some locally and plan to use it for kitchen cabinets. It's rough sawn - I wondering about hardness, workability, etc.. I can't find much info on the web.

Thanks,

Mike

[Frank Drew]

Mike,

I've only used domestic beech; I'm not sure why the "steamed" part, but perhaps it's to even out the color. I think they do that with European pear, too.

The beech I've used is fairly hard and mild working; it's not the most interesting looking wood in the world (the grain has a distinctive flecking to it), but there's nothing wrong with it, either. It's not boring like tulip poplar, in other words. Let's say the look is neutral, rather than wonderful or awful; I'd think it would be fine for your intended purpose.