Curly Beeswing Narra with sapwood knife block

Curly Beeswing Narra with sap knife block – 1" × 2" × 5"

Curly Beeswing Narra is an exotic hardwood prized for its rich colour and unusual, shimmering grain patterns. Native to Southeast Asia, Narra (Pterocarpus indicus) ranges from golden orange to reddish brown, often developing deeper tones as it ages. The distinctive curly and beeswing figuring creates rippling patterns that seem to change as the wood catches the light.

This highly figured wood is an excellent choice for custom knife handles, where its natural colour and intricate grain can become a focal point of the finished project. Its combination of attractive figuring and workability also makes it popular for decorative woodworking and other small projects.

What is Curly Beeswing Narra?

Narra is a tropical hardwood known for its warm colour, durability and attractive grain. Curly Narra features wavy grain that creates a rippled appearance, while beeswing figure produces small, repeating patterns that resemble the delicate wings of a bee. When these figures occur together, the wood can display an intricate, shimmering appearance that changes depending on the viewing angle and lighting. Unlike Amboyna burl, which comes from irregular growths on the Narra tree, Curly Beeswing Narra gets its distinctive appearance from variations in the direction of the wood grain.

What is sapwood?

Sapwood is the younger, outer layer of wood found just beneath a tree's bark. It carries water and nutrients through the tree and is usually lighter in colour than the darker heartwood at the centre. In woods like Amboyna burl, the contrast between pale sapwood and rich reddish-brown heartwood can create striking natural patterns in a finished project.

What size is the knife block?

Each block measures approximately 1" thick × 2" wide × 5" long (25 × 51 × 127 mm). The block can be cut into individual scales for custom knife handles. Check the dimensions of your knife's handle before cutting to ensure you have enough material for your project.

Blocks are selected at random and will vary in colour, grain and figure. The photo is representative only.

How do I finish Curly Beeswing Narra?

Curly Beeswing Narra can be shaped, sanded and polished using standard woodworking techniques. Because the grain changes direction throughout the wood, sharp tools and light cuts are recommended to minimize tear-out.

For best results:

Cut the block into scales and shape them to fit your knife handle.
Sand progressively through finer grits, taking care to remove scratches from each previous grit.
Continue with Micro Mesh or another fine abrasive system to refine the surface.
Apply a suitable finish or polish to enhance the wood's natural colour and shimmering figure.

A clear finish can help bring out the depth and movement of the curly and beeswing patterns.

Two unusual facts about Curly Beeswing Narra:

Narra and Amboyna burl actually come from the same tree species, Pterocarpus indicus. While Amboyna burl is prized for its tightly clustered eyes and swirling grain, Curly Beeswing Narra develops its distinctive appearance from wavy, interlocking grain. The same species can produce remarkably different types of figured wood.
The shimmering appearance of curly and beeswing figure is a natural optical effect known as chatoyance. As light reflects differently from wood fibres that change direction, the grain can appear to move or shift when the finished piece is tilted. This effect is especially striking on small, polished surfaces such as knife handles.

Price per knife block in Canadian dollars.