Source: Ozark Mountain Woodsmith, Inc. via Pinterest

If you are interested in commissioning a piece of furniture, there are a number of factors for you to consider so that you can ensure you get the perfect piece. Naturally, one of the first and most important decisions that you need to make is which material to use, and if you are interested in a wood piece, I wanted to tell you a little bit about working with hickory.

I’ve used my design blog to highlight a few wood types and the pros and cons of using them to craft furniture, but I haven’t had a chance to discuss hickory yet. Hickory has an amazing history in Eastern North America, having survived the Glacial Epoch that occurred over 50 million years ago. The wagon wheels that carried early American settlers West were crafted from hickory, as was the first “flying contraption” made by the Wright Brothers. As you can see, hickory has a rich American history and has been well loved by our country for generations.

We often see hickory used to make cabinetry, flooring, and furniture as it’s the hardest, heaviest, and strongest American wood available. While it has a white sapwood, the heartwood is pale to reddish brown. Hickory has a coarse texture and fine grain, which most commonly is straight, but it’s not unusual to see a wavy or irregular grain from time to time.

From a furniture crafting perspective, hickory can be challenging to work with due to its density and strength, so it’s absolutely necessary that you hire someone that is experienced in working with hickory for the best results.

If you are interested in commissioning a piece of furniture and are still in the process of exploring the different types of wood to use, please feel free to contact me with any questions.