Tell Me About Wood: Palm

We have all heard it before and the reason I lead with that is that we will be talking about Palm wood today. Palm wood is a beautiful wood that isn't quite hard, but isn't quite soft. It classifies in the same family as bamboo, and corn. Just because it is classified in the same family as Bamboo though, don't think this wood is soft because it's not, it is heavy and dense and it's wood grain is wonderful. If you don't believe me look for yourself.

We made the picture extra large for you so that you can see it's wood grain and how wonderful it is. As you look at it, you see hints of Zebrawood-esque striping on the bottom site, but more Duwood-esque ovalling on the top side. This piece has obviously been finished which shows how great it takes a finish. This wood is beautiful! 

Fun Facts:

It is called Coconut Palm generally and is usually harvested for wood carving and wood working only after it has finished its fruit-bearing years, usually 50-70 years. The awesome thing about this tree is it is is said that almost all of it has value. This includes the coconuts that grow, the leaves they use, and the trunk that is used after it is all said and done. The wood is usually only hard on the outside of the trunk where in the inside it is soft and fiberous. 

Here is a picture of some harvested palm ready to be used:

 

The interest that I have in Palm wood is because I spent a summer interning in Cambodia which is located in between Thailand and Vietnam in South East Asia. Cambodia is an awesome place and there is a ton of Palm wood there. It is an awesome wood they use to make things to sell to tourists to support themselves. I bought palm wood salt and pepper shakers, spoons, and pretty much anything else I could find and I loved it. It was an awesome experience. Hatchet Eyewear would look to do some palm wood sunglasses at some point...

Here is a view of Cambodias Palm!