Brazilian Ebony Pen Blanks

Brazilian Ebony Pen Blanks offer the rich, sophisticated appearance of ebony with excellent turning characteristics and a beautiful natural figure. Despite its common name, Brazilian Ebony is not a true ebony species, but it is highly prized by woodturners for its dark chocolate-brown color, fine texture, and subtle golden-brown grain highlights that create elegant visual depth.

Native to South America, Brazilian Ebony is a dense hardwood that machines, turns, and finishes exceptionally well. Its natural color and understated grain make it an excellent choice for creating refined pens, bottle stoppers, tool handles, and other premium turning projects.

Whether polished to a high gloss or finished with a more natural satin sheen, Brazilian Ebony produces timeless projects with a warm, luxurious appearance.

Features

• Rich dark brown to chocolate-brown color
• Subtle golden-brown grain highlights and figure
• Fine, uniform texture
• Dense hardwood with excellent turning characteristics
• Sands and polishes beautifully
• Ideal for premium pens, bottle stoppers, and decorative turnings
• Non-Stabilized natural wood blank

Specifications

• Common Name: Brazilian Ebony, Brazilian Walnut or Irontree
• Scientific Name: Swartzia tomentosa (commonly sold as Brazilian Ebony)
• Native Area: South America, primarily Brazil
• Wood Type: Hardwood
• Grain: Usually straight to slightly interlocked
• Texture: Fine and uniform
• Natural Luster: Medium to high
• Color: Dark brown to chocolate brown with lighter brown grain accents
• Blank Size: Approx. 3/4” x 3/4” x 5”
• Stabilized: No
• Sold: Per Each

Perfect For

• Custom pen turning
• Bottle stoppers
• Seam rippers
• Tool handles
• Decorative spindle turning
• Small woodworking projects
• Elegant handcrafted gifts

Why Turners Love Brazilian Ebony

Brazilian Ebony is valued for its rich, dark appearance and dependable turning performance. The dense wood produces crisp details and develops a smooth, professional finish with minimal effort. Its warm chocolate tones offer a distinctive alternative to traditional ebony while still providing the refined look many turners seek for high-end projects.

Tips for Success

Use sharp tools and light cuts to achieve the cleanest results. Sand progressively through finer grits to bring out the wood’s natural depth and subtle grain. Brazilian Ebony responds beautifully to CA finishes, friction polish, oils, and waxes, producing a rich luster that highlights its natural beauty.