What We're Made Of

Here at the 607 Wood Shop, we pride ourselves on making quality products. But what we make our products with, says just as much about our products. Here is an overview of the woods we use in our shop.

American Black Walnut

Known informally as "The aristocrat of American woods", walnut is one of the most beautiful, valuable and unique species of North American hardwoods. Rich brown, with lustrous grain patterns. Our Walnut lumber is sourced locally from trees right here in the Southern Tier, NY, that are (on average) 30 years old, and 75 feet tall prior to their harvest. Any experienced woodworker can tell Walnut just from the scent of the sawdust, and they'll all tell you, it's one of the most gorgeous woods that exists.

Sugar Maple

Also known as Hard Maple, and with variants known as Tiger Maple, or Curly Maple. Easily recognized by it's soft and flowing figure, the various Maple woods are a staple in the Northeast and Upper Midwest United States, and are responsible for providing us all with Maple Syrup. Our Maple lumber is sourced from trees here in the Southern Tier, NY, that are (on average) 40 years old prior to their harvest.

American Black Cherry

Known for it's straight and thin grain patterns, Cherry wood is considered a favorite by many woodworkers. With tremendous colors, and beautiful patterns, Cherry trees (like their name implies) provide us with delicious cherries for nearly 50 years before they reach the end of their fruit bearing lives. The Black Cherry tree is found in the Northeast United States, as well as the Upper Midwest. Most of our Cherry lumber is locally sourced, from right here in the 607.

White Oak

Known as "The Grandfather", white oak is known for it's extreme longevity. These trees typically only grow between 80-100 feet tall, but they can live for hundreds of years. The average harvest age of a white oak, is between 150 and 200 years old! Patience is a virtue with this species. However, it is found in nearly every part of the United States that is East of Texas, and there is an abundance of oak. Oak is also an extremely versatile wood, and is found in furniture and cabinet making, construction, flooring, millwork, structural timbers, and more. We don't use it in most of our cutting boards, due to it's wide grain patterns, but whenever we get a chance to utilize it in another project, we love it!

African Mahogany

As the name implies, this wood is found in central and east Africa. With a deep reddish brown color, and either interlocking or straight grain patterns, Mahogany almost always has a beautiful and shimmering figure. The grain can take on streaks of grey, and light blue. during their 25 year life span. Unfortunately, many years of illegal procurement of this wood has made it a rarity throughout the world. Here at the 607 Woodshop, we will only do business with suppliers who guarantee a safe and environmentally appropriate regrowth and repopulation of this amazing wood species. We are proud of the Mahogany we get to work with, and are even prouder that we help contribute to it's repopulation.

Purpleheart

An extremely dense and very hard wood, seen most often in musical instruments. Native to locations such as Brazil, Panama, and Trinidad, the majority of purple heart wood comes from the Amazon Rainforest. Purple heart trees can grow up to 160 feet tall during their lives. The harvest age of the tree varies, and is calculated based on the health of the tree. Due to overharvesting for many years, the purple heart became endangered. But with the diligent work of international forestry and environmental conservation experts, this tree is once again flourishing in it's natural habitats. We are proud to contribute to the tremendous resurgence this beautiful species is seeing. A portion of our profits are donated to organizations who ensure proper forestry practices, around the world. It is our hope that with the continuation of sound harvesting, we can continue to work with this beautiful wood for many more years to come.

Yellowheart

Also known as "Pau Amarello", the yellow heart is found almost exclusively in Brazil. The trees usually grow to an average range of 130 feet. Like it's purple cousin, the yellow heart's longevity is usually based on the health of the tree. It usually has a vibrant color, making it perfect for inlays. And as a wood that sands and polishes with a lustrous sheen, it is usually is a woodworker's delight. Yellow heart was actually under-harvested for many years, meaning that with today's conscientious efforts to prevent improper forestry practices, there is a very healthy supply of this beautiful wood. But due to the natural shape of it's grain pattern, it tends to twist and warp quickly when it sits around. So when we get some, we use it quickly!

Redheart

Redheart is a dense and fine textured hardwood, which is found throughout South America. It’s quite rare, and can also be difficult to work with. Also known as Zapotillo, it’s stunning aesthetic qualities make it a fixture in veneers, and you’ll most commonly find Redheart in custom made electric guitars. We receive very limited supplies of this amazing wood. If you’d like it featured in your piece, let us know, because it may need to be specially ordered for you.

Bloodwood

An extremely dense wood with a tight fine, mostly linear grain pattern. A South American wood, blood wood (also known as "Cardinalwood") usually originates in Venezuela, Peru, Panama, and Brazil and grow to be up to 150 feet tall during the 30 years it takes them to reach maturity. With a color that grows darker over time, bloodwood is the envy of anyone who doesn't get a chance to work with it. As it’s rather rare, we don’t get this in stock very often, and it usually needs to be specially ordered.

Padauk

Native to several of the African nations, Padauk is arguably one of the most unique and beautiful woods in the world. It's color can move from deep red to warm brown, all within the same tree. Growing to about 110 feet tall, the Padauk tree provides many assets. It's leaves are edible, and provide lots of vitamin C, while it's bark is used in herbal medicines to treat a variety of skin maladies. Even during times of fluctuating moisture levels, the wood itself maintains its shape much better than many other woods, and is therefore used in applications where warping can't be accepted, such as flooring, and musical instruments. 

Jatoba

Native to  Central America, southern Mexico, northern South America, and the West Indies, Jatoba (also known as "Brazillian Cherry") is an extremely stiff lumber, which limits opportunities for it to warp and become unusable. Because of it's durability, you most often see Jatoba used in flooring, where warping just can't be tolerated. The beautiful colors of Jatoba will range from light orange, through to a reddish/brown, and it is usually filled with gorgeous grain patterns. The re-growth of Jatoba was properly managed for a long time, ensuring that this beautiful wood will be found on our earth for a long time to come. We love working with it!