The ‘Janka’ wood hardness scale

Flint62Smoothie · Oct 24, 2024

I had not seen this before, although I knew such a scale existed. It would be great if we could find one of all the typical gun woods, including the woods varieties like sugar maple or such.

Anyways, I thought it was interesting and that others might like to see it too!

Pete G · Oct 24, 2024

There is one, but I can’t remember where I’ve seen it.

1950DAVE · Oct 24, 2024

Go here and browse wood species : www.wood-database.com

rich pierce · Oct 24, 2024

Yep. There’s a search feature in there. https://www.wood-database.com/common-name/

LonestarShootR · Oct 24, 2024

Personally I think the janka scale is a rough guide. I cut and mill quite a bit of South Texas hardwoods. post oak, live oak, pecan/hickory, mesquite, ironwood all, huisatche(an Acacia), Osage orange(Bodark) to name a few. There are variances between trees in hardness within the particular species. I prefer to cut/mill green as it's much easier on tooling. When left to dry some of these species get very very hard and take a sharp cutting edge to dull very quickly. The ironwood is the hardest I machine. With a sharp edge the finish is like a polished surface.
I find wood interesting and beautiful and love working with it. There are pros cons with all species of wood. Typical gunstock wood is in the middle of the road in hardness and is a little forgiving free of knots, tight grain and abundant and inexpensive.

Sam squanch · Oct 25, 2024

I score up there by the Brazilian walnut, myself……

Rifleman1776 · Oct 25, 2024

Don't see lignum viate. It is mighty hard, should be right at the top.

longcruise · Oct 25, 2024

Rifleman1776 said:
Don't see lignum viate. It is mighty hard, should be right at the top.

The chart above is far from all inclusive. Here's the listing for it on the wood database.

https://www.wood-database.com/lignum-vitae/

springfield art · Oct 25, 2024

Flint62Smoothie said:
I had not seen this before, although I knew such a scale existed. It would be great if we could find one of all the typical gun woods, including the woods varieties like sugar maple or such.

Anyways, I thought it was interesting and that others might like to see it too!

View attachment 357702

How dies it work? Do you have to drive the ball in, or what?

1950DAVE · Oct 25, 2024

Press

Rob M. · Oct 29, 2024

Cool ... Love how my walnut and cherry works !!

The ‘Janka’ wood hardness scale

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