The Wooden Gear

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.

White oak wood grain — light golden tones with a straight, open grain pattern, harvested in Tennessee

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
Red oak wood grain — warm reddish-brown tones with a bold, open grain pattern, harvested in Tennessee

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
Black oak wood grain — deep chocolate-brown tones with dramatic grain figure, harvested in Tennessee

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
Maple wood grain — pale creamy tones with a fine, uniform grain pattern, harvested in Tennessee

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
Cherry wood grain — warm reddish-amber tones that deepen and enrich with age, harvested in Tennessee

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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