One of a kind: Locust burl pen blanks

One of a kind: Locust burl pen blanks 

Add bold character and natural figure to your next project with these one of a kind locust burl pen blanks. Sourced from locust trees found in North America and other temperate regions, burl wood forms through unusual growth patterns, resulting in dense, highly figured material prized by woodturners. Each piece is one of a kind — what you see is exactly what you will receive. Simply choose your favourite blank from the dropdown menu.

Locust burl is known for its complex swirling grain, clusters of eyes, and rich colour variation ranging from golden brown to darker chocolate tones. This unpredictable figure creates dramatic, organic patterns that stand out on the lathe and make every finished pen completely unique.

What size are the blanks?

Each blank measures approximately 3/4" square by 5" long (19 mm × 19 mm × 127 mm), the standard size for most pen turning projects. No two pieces are the same — pick the exact blank you want. What you see is what you get. Select your preferred blank from the dropdown menu above.

What is burl?

Burl is a rare, abnormal growth that forms on a tree in response to stress, injury, or disease. Instead of straight grain, burl produces tight swirls, eyes, and complex figure, making it highly prized for high-end furniture, decorative inlay, and premium turned objects like pens.

What makes locust burl special?

Burl wood is formed when the tree undergoes stress such as injury, fungus, or environmental conditions, causing the grain to grow in irregular, tightly packed patterns. This results in exceptional visual depth and figure that cannot be replicated. Locust adds to this with its natural hardness and durability, making it a strong and stable material for turning.

Fun facts about locust burl:

• Burl wood does not follow the typical straight grain structure of a tree. Instead, the grain grows in all directions, which is what creates the intricate “eye” patterns and swirling figure.
• Black locust is one of the most rot-resistant woods native to North America and has historically been used for fence posts and shipbuilding due to its durability.

Price per blank in Canadian dollars.