Purpleheart Pen Blank

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  • Regular price $1.50


When freshly cut the heartwood of Purpleheart is a  dull grayish/purplish brown. Upon exposure the wood becomes a deeper eggplant purple. With further age and exposure to UV light, the wood becomes a dark brown with a hint of purple. This color-shift can be slowed and minimized by using a UV inhibiting finish on the wood.  Working with Purpleheart can present some unique challenges: if the wood is heated with dull tools, or if cutter speeds are too high, Purpleheart will exude a gummy resin that can clog tools and complicate the machining process. Depending on the grain orientation, can be difficult to plane without tear-out.  Purpleheart also has a moderate dulling effect on cutters.  Common uses include inlays/accent pieces, flooring, furniture, boatbuilding, heavy construction, and a variety of specialty wood items.  Pen Blank approx. 5/8" - 3/4" square x 5" - 6" long.