Français
Spalted maple burl pen blanks – dramatic figure and natural contrast, product of Canada
Add striking visual interest to your next pen with these spalted maple burl pen blanks. Combining the wild eyes and swirling figure of maple burl with bold spalting lines, these blanks offer exceptional character and one-of-a-kind results. Dark, ink-like lines weave through lighter wood, creating natural contrast and movement that becomes even more dramatic once turned and finished.
Colour ranges from creamy white to light tan and soft brown, accented by the distinctive black spalting patterns that make each blank truly unique. These blanks are well suited for everyday pens, gift pens, and standout show pieces where natural wood tells the story.
What does “spalted” mean?
Spalted describes natural markings created when fungi begin to break down wood fibres. In maple burl, this process forms dark lines and zones that trace through the grain. Spalting is purely visual in these blanks, adding contrast and artistic detail without affecting their suitability for turning. No two blanks will ever look the same. These blanks are not stabilized and will be soft, so care must be taken while turning to avoid blowouts.
What do I need to know about these blanks?
These blanks are not stabilized. What makes these blanks beautiful is also what makes them soft and unstable in spots, so we highly recommend stabilizing them before you start to avoid blowouts. You can do this either with a stabilizing chamber and Cactus Juice, or with thin cyanoacrylate glue. If you're using glue, lay out a piece of tin foil, and saturate each side of the blank with glue, turning it as you go. Let it dry and harden before you start drilling. As you're turning, you may want to top up some of the softer spots with additional thin CA glue - use a spritz of accelerator to help it dry faster - to strengthen the blank further and minimize the risk of blow out.
Once you are turning, use a sharp tool and take light cuts to further minimize risk of blow out. Please note we do not replace blanks that become damaged during any part of the drilling, turning or finishing process.
What size is the blank?
Each blank measures approximately 3/4" square by 5" long, providing ample material for most pen kits and allowing room for shaping and trimming during turning. Please note: the photo shown is a typical representation. Each blank is unique. Your blanks will be selected at random and may differ slightly from the illustration.
Price per blank, in Canadian dollars.
