What wood is best for Chess Sets:

American White AshAsh is normally straight-grained and coarse. The narrow heartwood is almost white. The contrast between heartwood and sapwood makes for a unique attractive...

Durability: Non Durable - Workability: Moderately Workable - Availability: Readily available

American Black WalnutThe heartwood of American Walnut can be light greyish-brown, dark brown or purplish-black. The sapwood can be almost white to a yellow, creamy-brown. The...

Durability: Non Durable - Workability: Workable - Availability: Readily available

American MapleThe heartwood of Maple is a uniform pale reddish-brown or light tan, the sapwood is white with a reddish tinge. It has a typically straight grain, which can sometimes...

Durability: Moderately Durable - Workability: Workable - Availability: Readily available

American White OakThe heartwood of American White oak can vary in colour from light tan or pale yellow-brown to dark or pale brown, and can even have a pinkish tint. American Oak...

Durability: Somewhat Durable - Workability: Workable - Availability: Readily available

European Oak - Prime GradeKiln Dried OakDepending on origin, the heartwood of oak varies from light tan to a deep brown, with distinct bands of early wood and latewood. The grain...

Durability: Durable (external use) - Workability: Slightly Workable - Availability: Readily available

Sapele MahoganyWhen newly cut the heartwood of Sapele is pink but then darkens to a red-brown or purple-brown on exposure. The grain is moderately interlocked or wavy, with a fine...

Durability: Somewhat Durable - Workability: Workable - Availability: Readily available

Unsorted Redwood (Best Quality) - Joinery SoftwoodThe widely distributed species varies according to its origin. Typically, the heartwood of this redwood is pale reddish-brown and...

Durability: Moderately Durable - Workability: Workable - Availability: Readily available