AFRICAN BLACKWOOD

Dalbergia Melanoxylon – Density 1.3-1.4 g/cm3

African Blackwood is a member of the Rosewood family and is not an Ebony. It is denser than Ebony and also contains a sort of oily tar which stabilises your Irish flute against humidity.  Blackwood is the standard wood used for making modern Irish flutes because of this stability and the nature of its powerful tone. It has the rare qualities of a high density wood with small closed pores and good stability.

Since 2017 African Blackwood is a CITES appendix II endangered species, and it is subject to a control when it crosses international borders. Within the European Union there is no control.

All my wood has CITES certification so if you order an Irish flute from outside the EU I will ask CITES for a certificate to post with the flute – no extra charge.

MOPANE

Colophospermum Mopane – Density 1.2 -1.36 g/cm3

Mopane is a bright red wood with dark veins. The Orange-Red colour darkens with oiling and oxidation over time and after a couple of years a well oiled flute looks very similar to the colour of a Pernambuco violin bow.

It ages well and does not split or warp more than Blackwood, although it needs oiling a little more often, mostly at the start.

Although it is slightly less dense than African Blackwood it takes a very good polish and is becoming a popular wood for Irish flutes. 

Mopane produces a rich and direct sound.

BOXWOOD

Buxus Sempervirens – Density 0.9 -1.0 g/cm3

Boxwood is the densest European wood and although it can’t compete with Blackwood for its density, it is extremely smooth. Irish flutes made from Boxwood have a less direct sound than Blackwood Irish flutes but they are rich in harmonics.

It is a beautiful but unstable wood that acts like a hygrometer even when the wood is very old. It helps to stabilise a flute when it is played constantly but Boxwood keyed flutes can be high maintenance.

With changes in the weather the blocks of Boxwood Irish flutes can open and close, so the keys will often stick or wobble and leak.