For centuries, woodworking has been an ancient craft utilized to produce enduring and aesthetically pleasing furniture, art, and more. If you are a newcomer to this skill, you might ponder over the selection of exotic woods suitable for your projects. In this article, we disclose the most exceptional and scarce options available.
1. Mahogany
Nearly everyone with woodworking experience, and even those without, is familiar with mahogany due to its beauty, rich color, and its potential for creating remarkable projects. Nevertheless, exceptional exotic mahogany sets itself apart from ordinary mahogany.
Honduras Mahogany is a specific kind of mahogany that is renowned for its exceptional strength, considering its moderate weight and softness. This particular wood is even suitable for marine applications and possesses a strength that surpasses that of numerous other exotic woods.
Exotic mahogany, like some other types in this category, is renowned for its stunning amber color that becomes darker with increased exposure. The radiance of a splendid new item crafted from exotic mahogany is truly unparalleled.
Thankfully, exotic mahogany is not the priciest item among the options mentioned. However, locating a top-notch piece may require a fairly extensive search. Nevertheless, if you chance upon a suitable piece displaying its stunningly uniform grain, you would regret not acquiring this particular type of timber.
2. Canary
When canaries come to mind, you typically associate them with a tiny melodious bird perched in the trees, rather than the trees themselves. Nonetheless, Canary refers to a stunning variety of rare wood that you will be unwilling to overlook upon encountering it.
Despite featuring a stunning golden hue of orange and yellow, this exquisite wood is slightly lighter in color. It is important to note, however, that its lighter shade does not compromise its overall strength and stability.
In contrast, Canary stands out for its exceptional resistance to decay due to its superior durability, which surpasses that of many other wood types. Additionally, this exotic wood is recognized for its slightly greater weight and density, making it more suitable for larger woodworking projects.
This type of wood is suitable for woodworking due to its stunning finish and relative ease of working, despite being denser than most other woods. While it typically has a straight grain with occasional irregularities, you will undoubtedly appreciate the experience of working with this exotic wood. Moreover, the quality of this remarkable wood matches its price.
3. Jarrah
Jarrah, with its unique qualities and stunning appearance, is an exotic wood that stands out for various reasons. Not only is it aesthetically pleasing, but it also possesses numerous additional advantages. If your aim is to create a distinctive item, this particular wood should be your top choice.
Jarrah is renowned for its unique feature of curved edges or curls, which adds an astounding touch (or acts as a striking focal point) to elaborate projects. It is advised to exercise caution when working with this exotic wood, as it demands delicate handling due to the presence of “curled” wood pieces.
If you know what you’re doing, you’ll appreciate the variety of colors that this amber brick combination can bring to your woodworking project. The cross-grain on this piece is so impressive that it may make you overlook other wood types for a while.
Due to its regional availability in Southwest Australia, obtaining this wood may pose some challenges, which adds to its exotic nature. If you manage to acquire this wood, make sure to take it to your workshop and entrust it to your most reliable woodworker.
4. Bamboo
Although bamboo is technically a plant and not an exotic wood, it is still noteworthy to mention that it can bring a unique aspect to woodworking, considering its widespread familiarity among people.
As the world becomes more environmentally conscious, bamboo’s popularity grows for various projects, although working with bamboo is distinct from working with most other types of wood.
If you want to keep up with the trend, hop on board the bamboo train as everything from utensils to cutting boards and even pieces of furniture are now being made with bamboo.
5. Ebony
Ebony wood, which is an exotic type of wood, is worth exploring due to its captivating presence in dark woods. It’s not limited to the beautiful black and white keys on a keyboard; the profound blackness of ebony wood offers numerous possibilities for artistic creations.
Typically, ebony is used to create plugs for screw holes, which results in a fantastic outcome once the piece is completed. Thankfully, regardless of your experience level in woodworking or starting your initial project, employing ebony (a dark wood) adds a distinctive touch that effortlessly enhances your project.
Naturally, the woodworking abilities you possess will undoubtedly be showcased in the item you make, however, the exquisite hue of ebony adds a certain sophistication that is highly coveted for its inclusion.
Ebony, known for its beautiful dark color, is also prized for its fine texture that becomes silky when finished. Additionally, its durability makes it an excellent choice for large projects. It is not surprising that this sought-after exotic wood is cherished for its contrasting qualities.
6. Desert ironwood
Desert Ironwood, a tree native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, earns its name from its dense and heavy wood that is known for its exceptional strength and durability due to its slow growth rate.
Desert Ironwood is often chosen for woodworking projects that require strong and stable materials, such as furniture and cabinetry. Its attractive grain pattern can range from straight to wavy, enhancing its appeal. The wood’s natural color is usually a deep, dark brown or black shade, sometimes complemented by hints of purple or red.
Due to its durability and reliability, desert ironwood is frequently utilized in high-quality furniture and cabinetry. Additionally, it is highly favored for turnings, carving, and various decorative purposes.
However, there is a caveat – Desert Ironwood cannot be purchased commercially. In order to obtain it, one must collect it from dead or dying trees in their natural habitat. This factor of scarcity positions it as one of the priciest woods in the market, thus appealing primarily to highly committed or affluent woodworkers.
7. Chakte viga
Originating from Mexico and Central America, Chakte Viga is a type of hardwood that always captures my attention due to its remarkable reddish-brown wood, straight grain pattern, and exceptional natural shine.
Chakte Viga’s appearance is one of its best features. This wood exhibits a breathtaking grain pattern that will unquestionably make your project exceptionally eye-catching. Additionally, being a very durable wood, it will maintain its striking appearance for an extended period of time.
Moreover, we have developed an understanding and appreciation for the unquestionable strength of this wood, guaranteeing that the projects we construct not only possess an impressive appearance but also endure the passage of time. Furthermore, it has the ability to resist decay and damage caused by insects, instilling confidence that your project will remain intact for numerous years.
In addition to its usage in woodworking, Chakte Viga is frequently employed in construction for its exceptional strength and durability.
8. Mopane
What catches my interest about Mopane is its capability to change color as time passes. This tree, indigenous to Africa, has wood that is incredibly dense and tough, making it perfect for a range of woodworking endeavors.
Mopane wood initially exhibits a yellow hue when it is freshly cut. However, as time passes, it transforms into an expressive and captivating rich brown shade. This intrinsic capacity to change in color adds a unique and captivating quality to the projects we have had the opportunity to collaborate on.
In addition to its aesthetic appeal, mopane wood is renowned for its high durability, making it well-suited for projects that experience substantial wear and tear, like flooring or furniture. Moreover, mopane exhibits resistance to both insect damage and rot, ensuring its longevity over many years when properly maintained.
Mopane’s workshop-friendliness is also remarkable. Unlike some other types of exotic woods, it is easily workable, suitable for applications of adhesives, machining, and finishing procedures.
