Desert Ironwood pen blanks - 5 pack

5-pack of Desert Ironwood pen blanks 3/4" square x 5" long / 19 mm × 19 mm × 127 mm

Turn something truly special with Desert Ironwood—a legendary wood known for its incredible hardness, rich colour, and dramatic grain. Native to the Sonoran Desert of the southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico, this dense and durable wood is prized by woodturners for its natural beauty and workability.

What are the dimensions of these blanks?

Each blank measures approximately 3/4" square by 5" long (19 mm × 19 mm × 127 mm), making it ideal for most pen kits and other small turning projects. Shown in the photos on an Aurora pen kit gold, Budget Comfort pen chrome and Cigar pen chrome. Click the related items tab to see these pen kits.

The picture is a typical representation. Your blanks will be selected at random.

How do you recommend finishing Desert Ironwood?

Because it’s extremely dense and naturally oily, you don’t need a film finish. In fact, most finishes won’t penetrate well and can actually make it look worse. We recommend sanding and polishing only. Sand through your grits up to at least 600–800 (or use an abrasive paste like Superior Grit), continue with Micro Mesh (up to 12,000) and apply a plastic polish like Novus or One-Step. This brings out a deep, natural gloss and chatoyance without adding anything artificial. 

Avoid thick CA finishes (can look plasticky and may not bond well), film finishes (polyurethane, lacquer) or heavy oil finishes as these tend to sit on the surface rather than enhance the wood.

Here are two fun facts about Desert Ironwood:

1. Heavier than water – Desert Ironwood is so dense that it actually sinks instead of floating! With a specific gravity greater than 1.0, it's one of the heaviest woods found in North America. 
2. Living trees are protected – While turning stock is legally harvested from naturally fallen trees or deadwood, living Desert Ironwood trees are protected in much of the Sonoran Desert due to their critical role in the ecosystem, providing shade and habitat for many desert species.

Price is per pack, in Canadian dollars.