{"product_id":"african-blackwood-exotic-pen-turning-blanks","title":"African Blackwood Exotic Pen \u0026 Turning Blanks","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- x-hugerte\/html --\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003c!-- x-hugerte\/html --\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003c!-- x-hugerte\/html --\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe \"Metal-Like\" Tonewood: Unrivaled Density and Precision\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAfrican Blackwood (Dalbergia melanoxylon),\u003c\/strong\u003e also known as Mpingo or Grenadilla, is a legendary exotic hardwood native to the dry savanna regions of Central and Southern Africa. Historically used in Ancient Egypt, this wood is technically a true Rosewood, offering superior stability and resistance to warping compared to standard ebonies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAppearance \u0026amp; Texture:\u003c\/strong\u003e While it appears as black as night from a distance, close inspection reveals deep violet streaks and a dark brown or purplish hue. Its grain is typically straight with an exceptionally fine, even texture. The pale yellow sapwood is thin and provides a striking, sharp contrast against the dark heartwood, making it a favorite for decorative carving and high-end pool cues.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWorkability \u0026amp; Technical Specs: \u003c\/strong\u003eWith a staggering average dried weight of 79 lbs\/ft³ and a Janka hardness of 3,670 lbf, African Blackwood is one of the densest woods on Earth. It is famously difficult to work with hand tools—often requiring metal-working equipment—but it excels in applications requiring intricate detail. It is the gold standard for woodturning, capable of holding threads and complex patterns with \"metal-like\" precision.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Applications:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMusical Instruments\u003c\/strong\u003e: The preferred choice for professional-grade clarinets, oboes, and bagpipes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFine Woodturning\u003c\/strong\u003e: Ideal for tool handles, pens, and decorative bowls.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLuthiery\u003c\/strong\u003e: Highly prized as a premium tonewood for guitar backs, sides, and fingerboards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCustom Crafts\u003c\/strong\u003e: Extensively used for knife handles, walking sticks, and ornamental inlay.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eNote: Due to its slow growth and CITES Appendix II listing, African Blackwood is a rare, high-value material on par with Gaboon Ebony.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWood is a natural product, and pieces may vary slightly. Due to wood movement, shrinkage, and expansion, please measure each piece carefully.  Dimensioned within +\/-1\/8” of size listed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDue to international shipping restrictions, this product can only be shipped in the US.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Woodpeckers","offers":[{"title":"Pen Blanks (3\/4x3\/4x5) \/ 10-Pack","offer_id":43555078373435,"sku":"AFRBLKPB-10","price":29.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"1x1x12 \/ 4-Pack","offer_id":43555078406203,"sku":"AFRBLK1X12-4","price":32.39,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"1.5x1.5x3 \/ 1-Pack","offer_id":43555078438971,"sku":"AFRBLK15X3","price":9.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"1x1x12 \/ 1-Pack","offer_id":43555090268219,"sku":"AFRBLK1X12","price":9.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"1.5x1.5x3 \/ 4-Pack","offer_id":43555078471739,"sku":"AFRBLK15X3-4","price":19.79,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"1.5x1.5x6 \/ 1-Pack","offer_id":43555078504507,"sku":"AFRBLK15X6","price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"1.5x1.5x6 \/ 4-Pack","offer_id":43555078537275,"sku":"AFRBLK15X6-4","price":37.19,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"1.5x1.5x12 \/ 1-Pack","offer_id":43555078570043,"sku":"AFRBLK15X12","price":44.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"1.5x1.5x12 \/ 2-Pack","offer_id":43555078602811,"sku":"AFRBLK15X12-2","price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"1.5x1.5x18 \/ 1-Pack","offer_id":43555078635579,"sku":"AFRBLK15X18","price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"1.5x1.5x18 \/ 2-Pack","offer_id":43555078668347,"sku":"AFRBLK15X18-2","price":77.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"1.5x1.5x24 \/ 1-Pack","offer_id":43555078701115,"sku":"AFRBLK15X24","price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"1.5x1.5x24 \/ 2-Pack","offer_id":43555078733883,"sku":"AFRBLK15X24-2","price":107.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0657\/6652\/2939\/files\/turning-stock-african-blackwood.png?v=1780052206","url":"https:\/\/woodpeck.com\/products\/african-blackwood-exotic-pen-turning-blanks","provider":"Woodpeckers","version":"1.0","type":"link"}