Dyed Curly Maple (Box Elder or Silver Maple)
Acer negundo / Acer saccharinum • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Strong curly (fiddleback) figure with wavy, undulating grain lines visible under the dye
Color Description
Artificially dyed green through the stabilization process; natural wood underneath is light cream to yellowish-brown with medium luster
Hardness Rating
720 lbf (Soft) to 950 lbf (Medium) - hardness increased via resin stabilization
Durability Rating
Non-durable; very susceptible to decay unless stabilized with polymers as seen here
Common Uses
Knife handles, pen blanks, woodturning, pool cues, and small decorative craft items
Geographic Origin
North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$10.00 - $25.00 per individual turning blank (approx. $100+ per board foot equivalent)
Wood Age Estimate
Contemporary; recently processed, kiln-dried, and stabilized for craft use (less than 5 years since processing)
Sustainability Status
Not CITES listed; classified as Least Concern by IUCN; widely available and sustainable
Workability
Excellent with sharp tools; takes a high polish; stabilization prevents the typical tearout associated with curly grain
Notable Features
Dyed and stabilized with resin (likely MMA or Cactus Juice) to improve density and aesthetics; chatoyance is enhanced by the dye
Finish Recommendations
Cyanoacrylate (CA) glue finish, high-speed buffing with carnauba wax, or lacquer for high gloss
Identification Confidence
High; the size, marker labeling, dye saturation, and curly maple figure are characteristic of commercial stabilized pen blanks