Arizona Desert Ironwood retailer Block 3

Here is an Desert Ironwood Block from Arizona.

Desert Ironwood is perhaps one of the most highly-regarding of all woods in handle-making, with its density, stability, and grain patterns and colors creating a unique combination of characteristics that's ideal for decorative handles.

Difficult to work on account of its density and high cutting resistance, patience yields exquisite results.

Desert Ironwood is usually restricted to small projects, and it is very stable in service. Turns, polishes, finishes well and holds a high degree of detail.

The small size of the tree, in combination with its restricted distribution and relative rarity, means that Desert Ironwood is in scarce supply which retailer is reflected in the price.

Makers have become enamoured of Ironwood, it's dense, oily character looks wonderful once finished. Can be finished with high grits and polished to a high, chatoyant, shine or left matte for a rich, deep and tactile finish.

In my experience it pairs beautifully with brass, ebony and mother of pearl and most contrasting natural materials better than synthetics