The Materials

Five woods.
Each one different.

Every piece we make is available in five Tennessee hardwoods. Same geometry, completely different personality — in weight, sound, feel, and the way it ages.

Quercus alba

White Oak

The benchmark of the three oaks. Tight grain, exceptional stability, and a distinctive silver ray-fleck pattern that catches light at every angle.

Hardness1,360 lbf Janka — one of our harder oaks, built to withstand decades of daily carry

StabilityExcellent — closed grain resists moisture movement — the same reason it's used for wine barrels

GrainSilver-gray medullary ray flecks — warm tan to light brown, refined and subtle

CharacterBright, crisp click — clear resonance with a slightly coarse texture you can feel under your fingers

Quercus rubra

Red Oak

The boldest grain of the three oaks. Red Oak wears its character openly — warmer in color, coarser in texture, and distinctly handmade in feel.

Hardness1,290 lbf Janka — durable with a slight give compared to White Oak

StabilityGood — more open grain than White Oak means a touch more seasonal movement, nothing noticeable in use

GrainBold, open pores — warm pinkish-red to light brown with more pronounced ray patterns than White Oak

CharacterWarm, full click — slightly richer tone than White Oak, with visible grain texture that gives it a distinctly handmade quality

Quercus velutina

Black Oak

The dramatic one. Dark, rich, and unmistakably striking. No two pieces look the same.

Hardness~1,210 lbf Janka — comparable to Red Oak, solid throughout

StabilityGood — similar seasonal movement to Red Oak — more than White Oak, negligible for everyday carry

GrainDark brown to near-black — high tannin content drives the deep color; bold and irregular grain pattern, no two pieces alike

CharacterRich, warm resonance — denser tannins give it a uniquely solid feel; the most visually dramatic of the three oaks

Acer rubrum · Ambrosia Maple

Maple

The wildcard. Streaks of blue, green, and brown run through a pale base in patterns that cannot be predicted or repeated.

Hardness950 lbf Janka — comparable to Cherry — warm and tactile under the fingers, not as hard as the oaks

StabilityVery good — fine grain with minimal seasonal movement

GrainPale with blue, green & brown streaks — vivid natural figuring that varies wildly from board to board — no two pieces share the same pattern

CharacterCrisp click, slightly softer tone than oak — smooth and silky to the touch; the most visually striking piece you can own

Prunus serotina · Black Cherry

Cherry

The heirloom choice. Cherry only gets better with time — it darkens and develops a rich patina the more you use it and expose it to light.

Hardness950 lbf Janka — our softest wood, but still plenty durable for everyday carry

StabilityExcellent — one of the most dimensionally stable domestic hardwoods — minimal seasonal movement

GrainFine, satiny — warm reddish-brown that deepens dramatically with light and age; develops a rich, living patina

CharacterWarm, mellow click — lower density gives it a softer, more organic tone — the most tactilely warm of the five

Not sure which wood is right for you? Every order ships with a satisfaction guarantee — and we're happy to help.

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