Wood Selection

Explore our premium woods to find the perfect match for your custom sign

Choice Wood Varieties


Our selection of hardwoods is carefully tailored to suit your sign’s design and setting. Our most popular options, ideal for the main body of the sign, are chosen for their exceptional quality, durability, and natural beauty. Use the arrows below to learn more about each species.

Choice Wood Varieties


Our selection of hardwoods is carefully tailored to suit your sign’s design and setting. These premium options are chosen for their exceptional quality, natural beauty, and ability to elevate any space. Whether you’re creating a business storefront sign, personalized home decor, or a unique gift, our woods are versatile and stunning. Use the arrows below to learn more about our most popular species.

Cherry

Maple

Mahogany

White Oak

Black Walnut

Black Walnut

Mahogany

White
Oak

Cherry

Maple

  • Black Walnut

    Black Walnut is our premier wood choice, celebrated for its rich, dark tones and exceptional durability. Its unique grain patterns make it a standout option for luxury signage and elegant design projects.

    Appearance: Rich dark brown with purplish undertones, a fine grain, and smooth texture
    Durability: Dense, scratch-resistant, and long-lasting
    Recommended Settings: Perfect for high-end interiors, boutique retail signage, and hospitality design, including hotels and fine dining establishments

  • Mahogany

    Mahogany is revered for its deep, reddish-brown hues and classic sophistication, making it an ideal choice for rustic decor and traditional signage.

    Appearance: Deep reddish-brown with a straight, even grain; rich, warm tone that darkens with age.
    Durability: Highly durable, resists warping and insect damage, suitable for all climates.
    Recommended Settings: Works beautifully in lodge signs, outdoor plaques, and heritage-inspired designs

  • White Oak

    White Oak is a durable, versatile wood with a light color and unique grain patterns. Ideal for both indoor and outdoor signs, it combines strength and longevity for high-quality custom work.

    Appearance: Pale golden-brown with an open grain; rustic charm and coarse texture.

    Durability: Exceptionally strong, moisture-resistant, and naturally resistant to rot.

    Recommended Settings: Ideal for garden signs, farmstead decor, and craft beer signage for breweries

  • Cherry

    Cherry is a rich, reddish-brown wood known for its smooth grain and timeless elegance. Its warm tones and natural aging process make it a classic choice for refined, high-end designs.

    Appearance: Rich, reddish-brown color with a smooth, fine grain; deepens beautifully with age.

    Durability: Strong and durable, moderately resistant to wear and moisture.

    Recommended Settings: Great for elegant interiors, classic decor, and refined, warm environments. Suited for B&B nameplates, gallery signage, and family heirloom pieces

  • Maple

    Maple is a strong, light-colored wood with a smooth grain, perfect for a sleek, modern look. It’s versatile and durable, though suited more for indoor settings.

    Appearance: Light, creamy color with subtle grain; smooth surface for detailed designs.

    Durability: Hard and resilient, best for indoor use or protected outdoor areas.

    Recommended Settings: Ideal for bright, modern spaces; suits minimalist and fresh design aesthetics. Perfect for office decor, event signage, and wedding displays

Accent & Specialty Woods

In addition to our main selections, we offer 23 other hardwood species, ranging from classic domestics to stunning exotics. These woods are perfect for adding accent colors and details to your sign, whether for lettering, framing, or intricate designs. While often used for accents, many of these species can also serve as a striking choice for the main body of your custom sign.

Accent &
Specialty Woods


In addition to our main selections, we offer 23 other hardwood species, ranging from classic domestics to stunning exotics. These woods are perfect for adding accent colors and details to your sign, whether for lettering, framing, or intricate designs. While often used for accents, many of these species can also serve as a striking choice for the main body of your custom sign.

Grid of 28 wood species samples, exotic and domestic, each square labeled with its name, showcasing textures and grains.

Cherry
Y. heart
Red Oak
Mahogany

Aspen
Birch
C. Maple
Poplar

Basswood
Hard Maple
Alder
Ash

Beech
Tigerwood
Butternut
Zeebrawood

See these wood species featured in our custom-made pieces.

Bloodwood
Padauk
Bubinga
Purpleheart

White Oak
Black Limba
Canarywood
Red Cedar

Rosewood
Leopardwood
Walnut
Wenge

*Sourced in the US

*Sourced in Africa

*Sourced in South America

See these wood species featured in our custom-made pieces.

Up-close view of five wood species—black walnut, mahogany, white oak, cherry, and maple—side by side, showcasing rich textures and colors

Nature’s
Color Palette

No paints, no stains — we only use the organic raw colors of the wood to create a harmonious, authentic look for your custom sign. Here are a few standout natural tones.

No paints, no stains — we only use the organic raw colors of the wood to create a harmonious, authentic look for your custom sign. Here are a few standout natural tones.

Aspen/white

Bloodwood
red

Wenge/black

Bloodwood/red

Yellowheart
yellow

Aspen/white

Wenge/black

Tigerwood
orange/green

Yellowheart
yellow

Purpleheart
purple/blue

Purpleheart
purple/blue

Tigerwood
orange/green

Giving Back to the Forest

At Blade & Burnish, we’re committed to sustainability and replenishing the natural resources that make our craft possible. That’s why for every sign sold, we donate a portion of the proceeds to plant 10 trees. This ensures that for every piece of wood we use, we’re giving back to the planet—and then some. Together, we can create beautiful designs while supporting a healthier, greener future.

At Blade & Burnish, we’re committed to sustainability and replenishing the natural resources that make our craft possible. That’s why for every sign sold, we donate a portion of the proceeds to plant 10 trees. This ensures that for every piece of wood we use, we’re giving back to the planet—and then some. Together, we can create beautiful designs while supporting a healthier, greener future.

Have a wood type in mind?