in any business, if the value is high, there will be illegal production of that product. Who is to say that the wood that you are sure is harvested selectively or from deadfall is actually that? We as human beings are fairly trusting, especially when we have no way of verifying for ourselves the truth. I’m not knocking exotics or their harvest methods. I personally can’t afford many exotics other than pen blank sizes, so typically stick to the domestics. My favorite by far is Walnut, and Cherry would be a close second.
Most of my projects lately have come off my lathe, so lately my favorite wood to use is firewood LOL. I can get enough wood for a dozen small bowls in a campfire packet of wood sold for $5 – $7 at the farmer’s market.
-- San Diego, CA
