Black Pen Blanks

[Mortalis]

My sister has a potential client for a pen that is made from absolutely black wood.
She recommended Grenadilla but I found someone selling some from 2008 but the pictures of the wood were anything but black.

Ebony is not a sure thing. Ancient Bog Oak has some blonder streaks running through it. I've looked at and sent here pictures of African Black Wood.

Anyone else know of or sell any wood that is "Black"?

 

[Cwalker935]

How about Burmese Blackwood

 

[wyone]

I bought a blank of Gaboon Ebony and it is really black. I have not turned it yet, so it may look different inside. Our local Woodcraft has tons of it that they are selling at like 50% off normal. It might be worth a shot if you have a Woodcraft close

 

[wyone]

Or once you turn, if you are not satisfied that it is totally black, maybe try one of the procedures for ebonizing the wood.

 

[toddlajoie]

All the pure black ebony I've ever turned has eventually cracked...

I prefer African Blackwood as the best alternative for me that is nearly completely black, but it is also a fantastic wood in it's own right... I LOVE the stuff!!!

 

[electricalme]

m3 black lava its not wood but black as black gets

 

[lwalper]

Or once you turn, if you are not satisfied that it is totally black, maybe try one of the procedures for ebonizing the wood.

Like some black liquid ink??

 

[KenV]

Making wood black is the job of Fieblings USMC Black Dye -- Available from Amazon and even ships to Alaska. It is BLACK.

Learned that from a guy named John Jordan. And he was dead on correct.

 

[greggas]

Gabon ebony will give you the most solid black of any wood. African blackwood is great but has cool purple grain in the right light. You could also dye or ebonize wood blanks to get a jet black finish

 

[Ted iin Michigan]

Agree totally about the coloration of ebony. Also agree that it can be prone to cracking. Although it has not happened on every piece, it has happened.

 

[jttheclockman]

What type finish do you plan on using??? If you are going to CA it than why not just use black acrylic and never have to worry about it. If you are looking for grain appeal you won't get much with Gabon ebony. It is the blackest wood I ever use. I have had success so far with it. I have not had any comebacks on pens that I have used it so I am guessing they are holding up well. No way to know for sure.

 

[Grumpy2]

someone elsewhere recommended leather dye.. Harry

 

[Neededwill]

Is the ebony gaboon hard on the tools?

 

[BruceA]

Source for acrylic acetate Pure Black

IF you can use acrylic acetate, Woodturningz.com has "Pure Black" #15 for $3.25. Here's the link: Acrylic Acetate #15 - Pure Black - WoodTurningz

 

[Ted iin Michigan]

Gaboon ebony is not hard on the tools IMHO. To the contrary, my experience is that it turns easy. I usually turn it a wee bit oversize and then sand it to size with 150, etc, etc.

 

[79spitfire]

If he wants a totally black wood 'look' but willing to go synthetic, I'd suggest Ebonite with a surface texturing finish and polish. Another option might be a wood with great physical properties, such as Maple, with a multiple coat finish of a black dye or stain. Maple has great staining properties. Might be a good way to use up one of those blanks with a 'not so hot' grain structure.

Totally and completely black wood will be expensive.