Spotlight On: Circassian Walnut / English Walnut
Juglans regia
SPECIES: Juglans regia
ORIGIN: Eastern Europe and Western Asia
COMMON APPLICATIONS: This wood has been prized for centuries for fine furniture and firearm stocks. It's also used for cabinetry, architectural millwork, guitar and instrument making, automotive and aircraft interiors, and wood carving & turning.
CHARACTERISTICS / APPEARANCE: Heartwood can range from a lighter pale brown to a dark chocolate brown with darker streaks and sometimes has gray, purple, or red casts. Sapwood can be nearly white. The wood is highly marbled with beautiful mineral lines. Grain is usually straight but can be irregular and has a medium texture and moderate natural luster. The grain is exceptionally fine and holds an edge well. This is typically an easy wood to work, glues and finishes well.
JANKA HARDNESS SCALE: 1,220 lb_ff (see chart on page 56)
COMMENTS: Known in Europe simply as "Walnut," or "Common Walnut," English Walnut is the source of what are the most common form of edible walnuts for human consumption. What many people look for in English walnut are dark mineral lines and marble-like figuring. Grading of this wood is related to the marbling and streaking in the wood.
Frequently asked questions
What is the scientific name and origin of Circassian Walnut?+
Circassian Walnut, also called English Walnut, is *Juglans regia*. It originates from Eastern Europe and Western Asia.
What is English Walnut commonly used for?+
It has been prized for centuries for fine furniture and firearm stocks. It is also used for cabinetry, architectural millwork, guitar and instrument making, automotive and aircraft interiors, and wood carving and turning.
What does Circassian Walnut look like?+
The heartwood ranges from pale brown to dark chocolate brown with darker streaks, sometimes showing gray, purple, or red casts, while the sapwood is nearly white. The wood is highly marbled with mineral lines, typically has straight but sometimes irregular grain, medium texture, and moderate natural luster.
What is the Janka hardness of English Walnut?+
English Walnut has a Janka hardness rating of 1,220 lb_ff.
How is English Walnut graded?+
Grading of English Walnut is related to the marbling and streaking in the wood. Buyers typically look for dark mineral lines and marble-like figuring.
Is Circassian Walnut easy to work with?+
Yes, it is typically easy to work, and it glues and finishes well. Its exceptionally fine grain also holds an edge well.