There is a unique kind of magic that happens the moment a sharp gouge first touches a spinning block of wood. The air fills with the sweet, earthy scent of timber, and a ribbon of shavings form. However, that magic can quickly turn to frustration if the wood doesn’t cooperate.
The most common question we hear from those just starting their journey is: "Should I start with hardwood or softwood blanks?"
The answer might surprise you. In the world of woodturning, names can be deceiving, and choosing the right blank is the secret to a successful first project.
The Great Misconception
In everyday language, "softwood" sounds like it would be easier to cut. You might picture pine or cedar—woods that feel light and manageable. However, in botanical terms, the distinction between hardwood and softwood has nothing to do with density. Hardwoods come from deciduous trees (which lose their leaves), while softwoods come from conifers (evergreens).
For a beginner at the lathe, true softwoods (like Pine or Spruce) are often a trap. Because of their "spongy" grain structure and high resin content, softwoods are prone to "tear-out"—where the wood fibres crush and pull away rather than cutting cleanly. This leaves a fuzzy, rough surface that no amount of sandpaper can easily fix.
Why Hardwoods are a Turner’s Best Friend...
If you want that satisfying, glass-smooth finish on your very first bowl or pen, you want a hardwood. But not just any hardwood. You need a "forgiving" species—one that is consistent, stable, and rewards a steady hand.
At Rothko and Frost, we curate our collection of wood turning blanks specifically to help turners succeed. Here are our top picks for those just starting out:
1. Sycamore: The Beginner’s Canvas
Sycamore is widely considered the "gold standard" for new turners. It is a creamy, pale hardwood with a very fine, even grain. It cuts like butter and sands to a beautiful, silky sheen. Because it is relatively "plain," it’s also the perfect wood for experimenting with dyes or oils.
2. Beech: Stable and Reliable
If you’re looking to practice your tool technique, Beech is your best ally. It is incredibly stable and dense enough to hold crisp detail without splintering. It’s the wood used for traditional tool handles for a reason—it’s tough, dependable, and very satisfying to turn.
3. Ash: For the Love of Grain
Want something with a bit more character? Ash features a bold, beautiful grain pattern that looks stunning on a finished bowl. While slightly harder than Sycamore, it responds beautifully to sharp tools and is excellent for learning how to follow the "flow" of the wood's growth rings.
The Beginner’s Favourites: Stability & Ease
American Walnut: Often cited as the "king" of turning woods. It is incredibly dark, rich, and sophisticated. More importantly, it is a joy to turn; it cuts cleanly and holds detail beautifully, making it perfect for those wanting a professional look right out of the gate.
Cherry: A favourite for its warm, reddish hue that deepens with age. Cherry has a very tight, straight grain that makes it exceptionally easy to sand to a high-mirror finish.
Sapele: If you love the look of Mahogany, Sapele is your best friend. It is slightly harder than Walnut but offers a stunning "ribbon" grain. It is a fantastic wood for learning how to manage grain direction.
When to Level Up: The Exotic Allure
Once you’ve mastered the basics with a Sycamore or Beech blank, the world of exotics awaits. There is nothing quite like the vibrant pop of a Purpleheart bowl blank or the striking, high-contrast stripes of Zebrano. Both are denser woods, requiring a steady hand and sharp tools, but the visual impact is unmatched.
For those who want to hold a piece of history in their hands, our 3000 BC Bog Oak blanks offer a turning experience like no other—transforming wood that has been preserved in peat bogs for millennia into a modern heirloom.
The Verdict
For the beginner, hardwood is the clear winner. By starting with a high-quality, seasoned hardwood blank—like the Sycamore or Ash blanks found in our Turners' Mill range—you bypass the frustration and jump straight to the joy of creation.
Ready to make your first shavings fly? Explore our full range of Bowl, Pen, and Spindle blanks today and find the piece of timber that’s waiting to become your next masterpiece.
