Griffin Exotic Wood
 
 

This is one of a few patterns possible on highly figured snakewood.

Snakewood
(piratinera guianensis)
All have good figure unless otherwise specified.

Snakewood is an incredibly beautiful wood which originates mostly in Suriname, South America.  The specific gravity is around 1.2, making it one of the worlds hardest woods.  The part sold as snakewood is really the heartwood of the larger tree.  This wood is usually felled with axes and carried on the backs of hard working natives over streams and through snake infested jungle areas.  Each tree felled is monitored, and the government has developed a strict permit process to control harvesting.  Much of the wood has inferior or no figure, but the small amount that has attractive figure is exported.  We sell only figured pieces that have high density of figure unless specifically marked otherwise.  All snakewood has at least minute hairline cracks.  We take the extra step of soaking some pieces in cyanoacrylate to minimize or eliminate any cracking.  Fortunately, if cracks do occur, they can be hidden completely if caught early.  We do not recommend attempting to dry snakewood, as this almost always leads to cracking.  Being dense, the water content is already very low.   To be successful, always have superglue and hardener on hand, cover the piece with plastic completely when not working on it, and seal it completely with a finish that does not allow moisture transmission.  Needless to say, the wood should never be allowed to get overly heated or left in direct sunlight. 

The first time you buy snakewood from us, please read the note above. Thanks!

Grading system: We want to be more specific about what we consider high figure, as we have noted that what we sell as "medium high" figure is at least as good as what most vendors call "high figure".  Some vendors even sell what we call "medium"  or "low" figure as "high figure".
Here is how we determine the rating of figure:
High figure (Gallery grade Plus):This figure is continuous over the whole piece.  The lines aren't far enough apart that we consider the figure to have lapsed in any area.
Medium high figure (Gallery grade): This figure is continuous most everywhere, but there is a lapse somewhere or the figure is a little farther apart than high figure.
Medium figure (Gallery grade minus): There are some lapses in the figure or the lines are spread further apart than usual.
Low figure (turning grade): The figure is sparse and there are gaps in it.

 










































































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All are excellent figure unless noted otherwise:
 

Snakewood pen blank 1/2"
Price: $3.50
Qty: 



Snakewood pen blank 5/8 inch square
Price: $7.50
Qty: 



Snakewood pen blank 3/4 inch square
Price: $11.50
Qty: 


Snakewood pen blank 7/8 inch square
Price: $15.50
Qty: 


Order online, or call us Monday through Friday: 970-241-2827
International callers and all Questions: Email us
 

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