Pen turning has become a fascinating area of woodworking that lets the artist design unique writing instruments. To wood turners, this whimsically delighting sector relates highly to the final product since it involves determining the right pen blank for the process. Reclaimed woods, with their stunning natural belly and striking grain patterns, are ideal for pen turning too as the grain patterns in exotic woods look amazing. 

Our goal in this guide is to explain why exotic woods are ideal for pen turning and provide a list of 5 of the most popular exotic woods for pen blanks.

Why Choose Exotic Woods for Pen Blanks?

Various types of woods are used by wood turners and exotic woods are particularly popular for their appearance and unique properties. Here are some reasons why they are a top choice for pen blanks:

• Aesthetic Appeal: There is a vast variety when it comes to the selection of exotic woods because they have unique and rather rich colors, patterns, and textures. 

Depending on the specific piece, one may have deep and dark grain patterns like those of ebony wood, or may feature the subtler and multicolored patterns in a stabilized burl.

• Durability: Some of the most exotic woods are also very hard-wearing, perfect for items that are used every day, such as pens. These woods are mainly close-grained and therefore very hard-wearing and resistant to scratches.
• Unique Grain Patterns: Domestic wood grains may be imitated but exotic woods possess unique grains. This feature also bestows upon each pen made of these materials an individual appearance.
• Marketability: Retail marketers interested in purchasing exotic pens from pen makers can also find the pens attractive because they are costly due to their source materials' beauty. Materials like exotic wood are regarded as high-end products that enhance the value of the final product.
• Turning experience: Turning exotic woods is a delight because most woods give smooth cutting action, and the least amount of tear out. 

Although there are some woods that are considerably denser, and these exotic woods may be somewhat difficult to carve, the majority are fairly simple to carve, so long as the appropriate procedures and tools are employed.

Now that we know why exotic woods are such a great pen blank material, let’s take a look at the top 5 exotic woods to use for making stunning pen blanks.

Cocobolo

Visual Appeal

Cocobolo can be a very colorful, deep red to golden brown wood with darker lines and figures. It has gorgeous grain patterns and colors that make it ideal for pen turners with rich attractive designs on their pens.

Durability and Ease of Turning

Cocobolo is characterized by density and hardness thus is very strong and rarely scratched. Because of its hardness, it can be somewhat difficult for novices to turn, making it ideal for expert wood turners. When finished properly, it leaves the surface with a high shine and has a reputation for being highly durable.

Why It's a Top Choice

Cocobolo, with its deep, luxurious, and rich colors and very fine figure, is highly sought after for producing high-end writing instruments. Its durability is assurance that these pens will have the right look, and will last for several years.

Ebony

Visual Appeal

Ebony is amongst the most expensive types of wood; it has a rich black color which also tends to have dark brown lineation. The fact that the material is smooth and fine-grained gives it an aristocratic appearance and makes it ideal for classy pens.

Durability and Ease of Turning

Ebony is both heavy and hard, so it will be suitable for pens that will experience frequent usage. Similar to Cocobolo, Ebony can be a challenge for wood turners, especially for a novice who would be handling it minimally. Its finishing makes it easy to be dusty, much more than other woods.

Why It's a Top Choice

The high-end, classic look of Ebony makes it perfect for anyone who wants a look that will not go out of style anytime soon. These are great for promotional pens which are meant for gifts or everyday writing instruments.

Rosewood

Visual Appeal

The most commonly known colors are rich dark brown to reddish-brown, with occasional stripes of purple and black running through the wood. The grain is usually flat but can be cut interlocking, which brings a more interesting pattern to the wood.

Durability and Ease of Turning

Rosewood has a fairly high density, but it is not as difficult to turn as cocobolo or ebony. It stands up well in daily use as it is less susceptible to wearing or tearing.

Why It's a Top Choice

The color and grain make rosewood suitable for crafting beautiful pens. Its use of heavy-duty and easy turning makes it appropriate both for the first-time wood turner and the expert wood turner.

Blackwood

Visual Appeal

Blackwood has a dark brown to almost black color with fine and straight grain with occasional lighter bands. The wood gives the pen a classic look and is well suited for formal or elegant pens, especially with high-end pen designs.

Durability and Ease of Turning

Blackwood is compact and very tough, providing the best hard-wearing properties. Turning can be a challenge, yet manageable, and the outcome is usually worth the trouble. 

Blackwood holds a high-sheen polish, and achieving this depth of finish results in a high gloss appearance which can bring out the true natural hues.

Why It's a Top Choice

Blackwood has a refined, elegant grain, which is ideal for making professional-quality pens. Because of its highly resistant nature, a lot of wood-turners use it in making their pen blanks.

Bubinga

Visual Appeal

Bubinga is a decorative wood with a warm reddish/brown color often with contrasting dark grain. The color and grain make it visually interesting and when used for pens, it provides for a great alternative to the “boring” woods.

Durability and Ease of Turning

Bubinga is a heavy, very close-grained wood with a great wearing surface and has substantial strength. It is relatively easy to turn which makes it a great choice for first-time carvers.

Bubinga tends to withstand its own life, meaning it’s less likely to fade over time. Even with regular use, Bubinga can remain visually appealing.

Why It's a Top Choice

Bubinga features an attractive grain pattern and color contrast, making it an excellent choice for creating a strong, elegantly designed wooden pen.

Wrapping Up

Exotic woods provide wood turners with a beautiful selection of elegant wood grains, durability, and highly sought after materials that buyers enjoy. From the splendid grains of cocobolo and ebony, to the attractive dark grain of blackwood, every wood has its unique characteristics that make them one-of-a-kind in their own way.

When selecting a pen blank for woodturning, it is important to look at the attractiveness of the grain, ease of milling, and figure of the wood so that the desired end product of the pen is achieved.