Lignum Vitae

New grading system for lignum vitae:
AA grade : The grain is fairly straight, no sapwood or checks in the piece that are visible to us. Sometimes called “Bearing grade”
A grade: The grain may have some movement, most or all sapwood gone when turned round, no checks unless truly tiny. Could have tiny bark inclusions or really tiny knots (Bowl blanks may have a small amount of sapwood on one or two edges and can be turned off or left on for effect.)
Figured: Like A grade but has figure in it. May or may not have sapwood. May have glued defects.
B grade: A good piece, and the sapwood varies from 15-40%. No cracks, possible small tight knot and possible small hairline check. Excellent Value, and offers a contrasty look. Requests for high sapwood will be allowed, (not for low sapwood).
C grade: The piece has some deep checks and would reguire some superglue to fix them, if you can’t cut around them. Even if you have to cut these to smaller sizes, they are still very inexpensive. Priced to move.

The pieces below have been color coded to easily see the grade:

🪵 Good to know

Lignum Vitae
(Guaiacum officinale)
This is genuine lignum vitae, not a substitute!

All real lignum vitae has a botanical name that starts with “Guaiacum”.

If you are looking for Argentine lignum,click here.

🇺🇸 Not legal for export from USA!

Pen Blanks

Lignum Vitae pen blank, AA grade

AA grade, no apparent defects or sapwood. Grain is fairly (but not perfectly) straight.

$5.50

46 in the stock

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Lignum Vitae pen blank, A grade

A grade

$4.00

16 in the stock

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Craft Blanks

Knife Blanks

Bowl Blanks

Note: This is genuine Lignum Vitae. It was imported many years ago before the current restrictions.

We are asking customers to be cautious as we did recently see at least one place online is selling genuine lignum vitae and shipping it to you from outside the USA. This can result in seizure and even criminal prosecution for the importer (which would be you if you are the one buying it, buyer=importer). Customers often assume all wood sold online is safe to buy, but if you are receiving this wood from outside the USA please be aware of the risk to yourself. The sender has no risk. Receiving it from a sender INside the USA would not normally be any risk for the buyer.

Note: Some suppliers are now saying they are selling “lignum vitae” when they are actually selling “Argentine lignum vitae” or even Verawood. Ask for the botanical name of the wood. Argentine lignum vitae (bulnesia sarmientoi) and Verawood (bulnesia arborea) are not lignum vitae and are not the same as lignum vitae. A Ph.D. endocrinologist told us that it is not even clear the two wood types are related.

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