Anyone ever use Mopani wood for blanks

[Jim Smith]

As one of my other hobbies, I keep snakes as pets. Reptile keepers (aka herpers) often use a wood called Mopani (Colophospermum mopane) as logs for our snakes to hide under during the day. This wood is from Africa and it seems to be quite a bit harder than iron wood. I use Forstner bits to hollow out areas in the wood for the snakes to curl up in and even new bits start smoking after only a couple of small cuts. The wood we use for snakes is usually root wood and as such, has lots of character, nice grain and color changes from grey to black in some pieces. I'm just wondering if anyone here has ever used Mopani wood for pen blanks?

Jim Smith

 

[Tom D]

Never heard of it But I would like to give it a try.

 

[Bear-31]

I have made finials and bottle stoppers from it. I love working with it. Has an oily/waxy content and works really well. Polishes up nicely also.

 

[Mack C.]

I was given 3 or 4 from a friend penturner. Just haven't got round :biggrin: to turning it yet!

 

[gimpy]

Yes, I have used it, not as hard
as one might expect......

If you have sharp tools, it goes easy

Give it a try, takes a great finsh

 

[JohnU]

I've made a few pens with it, from a African wood variety pack I bought some years ago. Had some nice character and turns well. Give it a shot!

 

[keithbyrd]

I have used it - I like turning it - easy to work as mentioned above - sharp tools. I think I have made 4-5 pens with it.

 

[InvisibleMan]

I think a few of those were included in the box of assorted wood blanks I got from PSI back when I first got my lathe. I think my very first turned pen ever may have been made from it, but not sure now. It is too ugly to look at, but I don't think that's the wood's fault:smile-big:

 

[Falcon1220]

I have used it a number of times. It is not that hard to turn. I love african woods and use them on most of my pens.