"Beautiful wood doesn't grow on trees - you have to go out and find it!"

Buying wood sight unseen is like driving a car with your eyes closed - you never know what you are going to get - or hit.  We would like to take the uncertainty out of your "blind" wood purchase. We work very hard to locate and offer exceptional wood, some of which is not seen in the 'big' catalogs.  We call it "Eye Candy".  We offer fair pricing and personal service to ensure that the blanks you receive are just what you were looking for.  We hand select each blank to ensure it meets our standards.  If you aren't happy we're not happy - it's as simple as that.

If we have not had the opportunity to serve you and you are tired of receiving less than satisfactory wood please take a moment to visit our Customer Comments page and read what some of our customers have said about us.  We want to make your shopping experience with us as enjoyable and easy as possible.  You can be assured that your order will be handled in a professional manner and delivered promptly.

Blank Sizes

Most of the wood we buy is bought whole and not pre-cut.  Buying large burls and lumber allows us to inspect and cut the wood to its best advantage.  We also crosscut wood and the resulting blanks are totally different that what you might expect.

Unless otherwise noted our standard size pen blank measures 3/4 x 3/4" x 5 to 5 1/4" long .  Our oversize blanks measure a minimum 13/16" x 13/16" x 5 1/4 to 5 1/2" long.  The oversize blanks allow you a little more leeway when drilling and making the larger Berea Hardwoods El Grande pens and the Craft Supplies USA Gentlemen's pens.  We now offer a limited selection of smaller 5/8" x 5/8" x 5" long blanks for the medium and smaller pens (less waste).

Stabilization

We are frequently asked why I have wood stabilized - even when it doesn't 'need' it.  Some woods actually need processing in order to be turned and finished properly (punky spalts, soft buckeye burl, etc.).  Processing will transform these soft woods and make them harder than woodpecker lips.  There are other woods that don't need to be stabilized but the process brings out (or 'pops') the color and/or figure of the wood.  Either case, stabilized blanks will finish much easier and to a higher luster, the wood is impervious to moisture, and the wood will retain its beauty much longer.  These factors, in our opinion, far outweigh the higher cost of a stabilized blank compared with an unprocessed blank.  We offer many different species of wood that have been professionally stabilized by companies that specialize in this type of process.  No 'home brews' are used to process our wood.

Color Stabilization

Some wood lends itself to be color stabilized.  Boxelder burl and maple burl are two species that take color really well.  Wood density plays a big part and varied patters can result resulting in one-of-a-kind blanks.  We also have limited amounts of boxelder burl that has been double-dyed and they, too, produce on-of-a-kind pens.

"A picture is worth a thousand words"

Some of you may not know what some of these woods look like.  A friend of mine has compiled a  gallery of pictures illustrating most of the pen blanks that I offer.    To view pictures of the various pen blanks click on the species name or go to Pen Blank Images.  Please note that all blanks are not pictured and some are no longer available.  Additional photos will be displayed as new woods become available and when I have enough time to take them.

We carry a selection of wood blanks that are not processed.  Some of these woods are not candidates for processing because of the wood's oiliness, density, etc.  Examples are cocobolo, mahogany and desert ironwood (not to be confused with desert ironwood sapwood). These natural blanks are listed in the Non-Stabilized Pen Blank Price List .

Good wood is hard to find and it's availability changes constantly.  We will only sell what we consider the best wood that is reasonably available.  There will be times when we run out of some of the pen blanks listed below.  Good wood doesn't grow on trees - we have to go out and find it.  We are always looking for premium wood in order to provide you with the 'eye candy' you have come to expect from us.  We apologize if a particular species and/or color is out of stock.  Please be aware that we are trying our best to resupply what ever it is that you are looking for.

  Please read the Shipping Terms & Information page regarding shipping charges before ordering.