About Wood
Which wood should we use?
The same shape changes in color, grain, weight and use depending on the wood. Here are eight woods we often use in woodcraft and turning — with their weight, hardness, how they turn and how to finish them.
Zelkova
Zelkova serrata
- Color & grain
- Golden brown with bold, striking grain
- Hardness
- 4/5 · Very hard
- Weight (air-dry density)
- 0.62–0.75 (water = 1)
- Good for
- Bowls & lidded boxes, columns, traditional furniture
Hard and stable enough to pass down for generations. The classic wood of traditional Korean chests, cabinets and tableware.
- On the lathe
- Its large, open pores make the grain stand out boldly once turned. It is hard on tools, so we sharpen often.
- Finish & care
- The open pores soak up finish well. It pairs beautifully with ottchil (Korean lacquer) — many traditional bowls are lacquered zelkova.
Oak
Quercus spp.
- Color & grain
- Light tan with straight, open grain
- Hardness
- 4/5 · Very hard
- Weight (air-dry density)
- 0.70–0.85 (water = 1)
- Good for
- Stair balusters, furniture legs, handles
Heavy and strong, ideal for parts that bear weight. Cut along the radius, it shows a shimmering “tiger stripe” ray fleck.
- On the lathe
- Hard and coarse, so a dull tool tears the surface. It checks easily while drying, so we use well-seasoned stock.
- Finish & care
- Rich in tannin, it can stain black where iron and water meet. Avoid steel nails and steel wool; finish with oil or urethane.
Walnut
Juglans nigra
- Color & grain
- Deep chocolate brown with a calm, refined grain
- Hardness
- 3/5
- Weight (air-dry density)
- 0.55–0.65 (water = 1)
- Good for
- Bowls & plates, lamps, fine accessories
Pleasantly weighted with a calm figure, it is a favorite for fine pieces. Most is imported from North America, so it costs more.
- On the lathe
- The tool glides through it, so fine curves come out cleanly. One of the best woods for turning, and it sands to a smooth finish.
- Finish & care
- An oil finish deepens the color. Over the years, the dark brown mellows to a slightly lighter, warmer tone.
Ash
Fraxinus spp.
- Color & grain
- Pale cream with clearly defined grain
- Hardness
- 4/5 · Very hard
- Weight (air-dry density)
- 0.65–0.72 (water = 1)
- Good for
- Tool handles, furniture legs, rods
Hard yet springy, so it resists breaking under impact. Its Korean name, mulpure (“water turns blue”), comes from the bark tinting water blue.
- On the lathe
- Straight-grained and clean-cutting. Long, slender pieces like tool handles and baseball bats turn without bowing.
- Finish & care
- Its grain resembles oak, but the light color takes stain well. A clear oil finish also looks crisp.
Cherry
Prunus spp.
- Color & grain
- Reddish brown with a fine, smooth grain
- Hardness
- 3/5
- Weight (air-dry density)
- 0.55–0.62 (water = 1)
- Good for
- Tableware, saucers, everyday goods
Fine and even-textured, it is lovely for things you hold. Many of the Tripitaka Koreana printing blocks at Haeinsa are said to be wild cherry.
- On the lathe
- Its dense texture turns very smoothly. A dull tool rubbing too long leaves burn marks, so we keep edges sharp.
- Finish & care
- Light darkens it noticeably within months. Watching the pale pink deepen into reddish brown is part of its charm.
Maple
Acer spp.
- Color & grain
- Bright, almost white, with a tight, smooth grain
- Hardness
- 5/5 · Very hard
- Weight (air-dry density)
- 0.63–0.75 (water = 1)
- Good for
- Cutting boards & kitchenware, bowls, toys
Very hard and close-grained, it does not pick up smells or flavors — which is why it has long been used for cutting boards and spatulas.
- On the lathe
- Its hardness holds crisp detail, but at high speed friction can scorch it, so we adjust the speed.
- Finish & care
- Stain tends to go blotchy, so it is usually finished to keep its natural pale color, which yellows slightly with age.
Korean red pine
Pinus densiflora
- Color & grain
- Yellowish with crisp growth rings
- Hardness
- 2/5 · Soft
- Weight (air-dry density)
- 0.45–0.55 (water = 1)
- Good for
- Columns, student projects, prototypes
Light, easy to work and affordable. The traditional timber for hanok posts and beams, it suits large pieces and quantity orders.
- On the lathe
- Soft earlywood and hard latewood alternate sharply, so only a keen edge avoids tearing the grain.
- Finish & care
- Resin can bleed through a finish. We choose well-dried stock and seal it before the final coat.
Paulownia
Paulownia tomentosa
- Color & grain
- Pale grayish brown with a soft, subtle grain
- Hardness
- 1/5 · Soft
- Weight (air-dry density)
- 0.25–0.30 (water = 1)
- Good for
- Boxes, light accessories, decorative pieces
The lightest wood in common use, and it barely moves with humidity. Used for wardrobes, boxes and the soundboard of the gayageum.
- On the lathe
- So soft that the fibers fuzz up easily. We take light cuts with a sharp tool and finish with fine sandpaper.
- Finish & care
- It dents easily, so it is not for load-bearing parts. One traditional finish lightly scorches the surface to bring out the grain.
By use
Choose by what you are making
Bowls, plates & lidded boxes
Stair balusters & furniture legs
Student projects & prototypes
Lamps & interior accents
Cutting boards & kitchen utensils
Lacquered tableware & traditional pieces
Availability and price vary by wood, and we can also work with woods not listed here. Tell us what you want to make and the feel you are after, and we will choose the right wood together.
Good to Know
Before You Choose a Wood
Well-dried wood comes first
Wood shrinks and warps as it dries. For indoor pieces, timber dried to about 10% moisture content is far less likely to crack.
Large bowls may be turned twice
A thick bowl is often rough-turned from partly dry wood, left to dry fully, then turned again to true its shape. It takes longer but warps less later.
The finish changes how it lives
Oil keeps the natural feel and just needs an occasional refresh. Urethane resists water and scratches. Ottchil (Korean lacquer) stands up to water and heat and lasts for decades, but takes more time and costs more. Bowls and spoons get a food-safe finish.
Wood changes color
Most woods shift in color with light: cherry darkens, walnut lightens a little, and pale woods turn slightly yellow. It helps to picture how a piece will look in a few years.
Not sure which wood?
Just send a photo or drawing and we will suggest a suitable wood and give you a quote.