10 Best Hardwoods for Woodworking by a Hardwood Lumber Pro 2024

Hardwood Lumber Species: Best Woodworking Woods?

 

Of the hundreds of elite hardwoods available to woodworkers, some are better than others. Over the course of my hardwood lumber career, I’ve had the pleasure of working with many of them.

Based on my own wood milling experience and the manufacturing experience of clients, I wrote a preferred list of superior hardwood species.   Below are my selections for the 10 best hardwoods for general woodworking applications. 

How Many Wood Species Are There?

 

There are 589 wood species listed by common name on Eric Meier‘s Wood Database.  Additionally, Meier estimates he has 800 additional samples of unindexed woods.  Thus, there are substantially more wood species than the 52 referenced in this promotional infographic. In fact, the popular infographic is misinterpreted.  It claims to identify 52 woods. It does not present 52 as a comprehensive list of all woods species.

#1 Woodworking Hardwood: Genuine Mahogany

 

Genuine Mahogany lumber, also called Genuine Mahogany, Honduras Mahogany, South American Mahogany, Honduran Mahogany. It goes by many names. However, regardless of name, it originates primarily from South America and Central America. 

In my woodworking experience, this is the elite of hardwoods for woodworkers.

It is often used to make Fine Furniture, Architectural Millwork, Luthiery, Cabinetry, and for pattern making.

Genuine Mahogany wood is my top choice for woodworking for several reasons:

1. Mahogany is a hardwood that machines easily and carves like butter, as long as you avoid areas of interlocked grain. Also, like other fne grain hardwoods, it is ideal for milling with either hand tools or power tools.
2. It lasts a long time and is remarkably durable. Accordingly, there are many examples of old mahogany fine furniture still in circulation.
3. Genuine Mahogany is water resistant. This is another reason why its the best hardwood for woodworkers.  prone to decay or rot. Pests can’t even penetrate the wood. Outside elements and insects are no match for this rare, unique wood. Also, it holds paint very well Accordingly, it does not significantly expand or shrink in response to environmental changes. Roasting mahogany adds to its water-resistant properties.
4. This wood is pest-resistant.  Accordingly, it is not prone to rot /decay.  Insects are not particularly drawn to this rare, special wood. 
5. Honduras Mahogany has a prestigious appearance.  Additionally, it oxidizes quickly which give it an aged old-growth appearance even when its not old-growth.
6. Honduran Mahogany takes are great finish. Additionally, mahogany paints well.  Thus,  woodworkers of all skill levels can finish mahogany hardwoods well.

#2 Woodworking Hardwood: Black Walnut

 

American Black Walnut hardwood  (Juglans nigra) is both unique and popular among woodworkers. Black walnut wood has a rich brown heartwood that finishes & polishes well. 

Like many of the hardwoods on this list, walnut machines like butter, is easy on knives and easy to finish. 

While it is a relatively expensive North American hardwood, it is not particularly expensive when compared to exotic hardwoods of the world.

 

#3 Woodworking Hardwood: African Mahogany

 

African Mahogany wood color ranges from light to deep reddish-brown. It’s grain is straight to interlocked while the texture is medium to rough. 

While it lacks the prestige of Genuine Mahogany, it is significantly less expensive than Honduran Mahogany. Additionally, it is not a CITES restricted wood. Genuine Mahogany is subject to CITES wood regulations.

Woodworkers often use African Mahogany in place of Genuine Mahogany, especially when the heartwood color and grain is consistent.

 

#4 Woodworking Hardwood: Sapele

 

Sapele is a commonly used African hardwood species. Woodworkers use it in both lumber and veneer form. 

Sapele is very similar to Genuine Mahogany in both appearance and grain texture. However, it is not a true mahogany.

Additionally, Sapele has high durability, strength, and density.  Sapele is used in both interior and exterior wood applications. 

#5 Woodworking Hardwood: Ash Wood

 

Ash is another high quality woodworking hardwood. Its durability is stellar, they make ash baseball bats, right? Additionally, it machines well and takes stain easily. 

 

Fender Musical Instruments’ use of Ash wood for Stratocaster & Telecaster bodies made it into the premier guitar wood. 

Ash grain is remarkably similar to oak grain. However, it’s more pronounced. Thus, I think of ash as oak on steroids!

 

#6 Woodworking Hardwood: Cherry

 

Cherry wood has straight-grain & a fine, uniform, smooth satin-like texture.

It is a moderately durable wood, rot & insect resistant. It carves & machines well, too.

Over the course of my hardwood lumber career, the best American Cherry came from the Northern Appalachian to Midwest regions: Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, Indiana, etc.

#7

Woodworking Hardwood: Hawaiian Koa Wood

Koa wood is light weight, stiff, yet pliable. Additionally, Koa grain, color and figure are instantly recognizable among woodworkers worldwide. While koa is great wood for guitar manufacturers, it is cost prohibitive for many woodworking applications, sadly.

#8 Woodworking Hardwood: Black Limba

 

Black limba hardwood is used to make furniture, table tennis blades, game calls and musical instruments. Limba is known for its finishing properties, workability and spectacular color.

Additionally, it is a personal favorite wood of mine. So easy to create a Limba wood masterpiece with a simple true oil finish!

 

#9 Woodworking Hardwood: Alder

 

Alder a common hardwood from the western United States. Accordingly, Alder  is an inexpensive woodworking specie.

Typically, it is available in 4/4, 5/4, 6/4, 8/4, 10/4 and 12/4 thickness.

Most importantly, it machines with ease. Also, it can be finished to look like walnut, maple, cherry, Box Elder or even poplar. I call this versatile wood the Chameleon of woodworking Lumber!

#10 Woodworking Hardwood: Big Leaf Maple 

Bigleaf maple or West Coast Maple, is the only widely sawn maple species in the Western US. In my experience, it is the best maple for woodworking for several reasons:

 

1. Big Leaf Maple is  a lightweight maple wood.
2. Its heartwood and sapwood distinction is minor, unlike Sugar Maple & Soft Maple.
3. Western maple develops spectacular quilt figure which cannot be found in other maple species.
4. Its lower density makes it easy to finish. Whereas, denser maples absorb stain inconsistently, resulting in splotches.
5. Bigleaf maple usually has a more pronounced and deeper figure with higher contrast than other Acer species.