These Exotic Ironwood Blanks have been cut out from the wood of an "Ironwood" tree, its name in Spanish is palo fierro (iron stick). It has a beautiful grain and as its name implies, is very dense. Next to the Leadwood of Florida, Ironwood is the heaviest wood native to the United States and Mexico. The trees grow at an altitude of 2,500 feet above sea level in the deserts and coastal regions of Arizona, California, Baja California and Sonora Mexico. This species of Ironwood is "Olneya tesota”; and is the only species of this genus found in the Pacific Southwest. Live ironwood trees are not harvested for carving. Fallen ironwood is collected, after drying for several years to be used by the carvers. The Seri Indians originated this handcraft in 1961. Today the Seri Indians, as well as other talented artisans in northern Sonora, Mexico are masters in creating these beautiful carvings. Talented artisans have carved these pieces for you, each with varying shape, color and grain, making each piece unique. There may be natural imperfections in the wood, which also adds to the unique character of each piece.
Discover the beauty and strength of Desert Ironwood Grade B — one of the most sought-after exotic hardwoods in the world. Each blank from IECAP LLC is carefully selected for its unique grain, weight, and color depth. With tones ranging from dark chocolate to golden brown, these blanks are perfect for artisans, woodturners, and hobbyists looking to create standout pieces.
This specific 6x6x2 inch block is designated as Grade B our character selection. Grade B indicates the presence of natural, non-structural figure such as minor end checks, small knots, or aesthetic sapwood inclusions. The material is sourced only from aged, naturally fallen logs, a process which naturally yields these characteristics. This ethical sourcing, combined with the material’s performance, allows the blank to be offered at a significantly lower cost than flawless FAS material. This material is perfectly suited for ornamental turning, handle scales that embrace figure, or projects where smaller clear sections can be cut from the block, ensuring that none of this rare resource goes to waste.
Ideal for pen turning, knife handles, tool grips, wood carving, lathe projects and decorative crafts, Desert Ironwood offers unmatched density and polishability.
Despite being classified as Grade B, these blanks feature the same solid stability and working characteristics as higher grades — simply with more natural character, making each piece truly one of a kind. These are not structural weaknesses in Turning Blanks of this size but desirable features for modern craft. Professional Woodchucks Wood artisans intentionally seek this Character Grade material, utilizing Epoxy Fill and Resin Casting techniques to stabilize and enhance the flaws, creating unique, high-contrast Artisan Pieces.
Use it to craft durable, elegant projects that highlight nature’s artistry. Each blank is inspected, kiln-dried, and ready to work right out of the box — no rough edges, no warping, just pure hardwood perfection.
The generous 6x6x3 In dimensions are perfect for Woodturning a deep Bowl Blank , sculpting a hefty Mallet Head, or cutting multiple Knife Handle and Pistol Grip Blanks. Its natural, Seasoned state ensures Investment Grade stability, eliminating the need for synthetic stabilization common with lesser Exotic Hardwood types.
If you’re looking for premium exotic wood for woodworking an