Comments on: Gidgee

By: Filip

Filip — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 15:24:30 +0000

Acacia cambagei. Figured, big piece.

By: Filip

Filip — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 10:16:01 +0000

In reply to Shaun. Thanks for the information

By: Shaun

Shaun — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 22:51:22 +0000

In reply to Filip. In the late 1800s in Australia, it was more commonly called 'gidya'.

By: Shaun

Shaun — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 22:25:20 +0000

Second image of the same gidgee stick, showing the full length, and its dark/black appearance:

By: Shaun

Shaun — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 22:23:00 +0000

This is a heavy (625 grams) ringed gidgee walking stick from around 1900-1920 with the L or “opera” style handle. It looks almost black, but has the most beautiful chatoyancy closer up, as you can see when it catches the light. They were sometimes made as gifts to high-ranking officials, but this example was for pure domestic use, having no silver/gold finials/knob, etc. I had read that they were brittle due to the curling, but I don’t believe that is true, especially in a stouter stick like this.

By: Filip

Filip — Fri, 10 Mar 2023 14:58:56 +0000

Acacia cambagei vs desert ironwood

By: Filip

Filip — Fri, 10 Mar 2023 13:48:06 +0000

Gidgee wood is similar to Desert ironwood form USA, but much much harder ! Vessels (pores) are visible by naked eye, but are really small (smaller than finger prints) ;Desert ironwood has invisible pores. These pores when turning wood (due to its extreme hardness) can cause micro-fractures. To avoid this, I first use very sharp knives, then use a metal file, then sandpaper 300, 400, 1000, 2000. Then I polish the surface with a smooth, durable stone (nephrite).After such polishing, the surface looks like under varnish.
Interesting fact for wood lovers: Leaves and bark have a very unpleasant smell that carries a long distance, while wood has a very pleasant, slightly “perfumery” smell when processed. I made a clarinet mouthpiece from this wood and after playing for a while (when the wood warms up and absorbs some moisture) it smells like fruit jam.

By: Mim

Mim — Mon, 13 Dec 2021 04:06:45 +0000

In reply to Daemon Singer. Cadagi

By: Sam

Sam — Fri, 01 Feb 2019 04:50:46 +0000

In reply to Daemon Singer. This looks like a gumtree mate.

By: Daemon Singer

Daemon Singer — Sun, 23 Dec 2018 00:52:39 +0000

I have what’s described as gidgee locally but it doesn’t look like the exemplars. Can anyone identify this for me please?

By: Davor Mackic

Davor Mackic — Sat, 25 Aug 2018 09:50:39 +0000

Good luck with your tools if they’re not top notch. Hard as anything

By: Graham King

Graham King — Wed, 04 Apr 2018 02:40:37 +0000

It is being used as a great hardwood for guitar fretboards.

By: Bryan Scandrett

Bryan Scandrett — Fri, 02 Mar 2018 15:27:17 +0000

Workability – hard as steel.
Durability – lasts outside for decades.
Uses – posts and rails, wood turning.
Excellent firewood, long burning, excellent coals.

By: Eugene Dimitriadis

Eugene Dimitriadis — Mon, 25 May 2015 12:55:00 +0000

Acacia cambagei is the most common species commercially avaialble in smaller sizes. It has a high luster and when figured compares at least as well as Arizona ironwood as a knife handle material.

By: Eugene Dimitriadis

Eugene Dimitriadis — Wed, 25 Mar 2015 12:59:00 +0000

Many dryland Aust. acacias have that floral / violet smell.