Your claim that density has no relation to strength would only be true in the narrowest of vacuums. The problem is, we’re not in a vacuum, we’re dealing with a known material, wood.

All wood is made up of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, along with miscellaneous (less than 10%) extractives and mineral deposits. But the building blocks of wood are more or less constant, known materials, with the mechanical variability of each wood species primarily accounted for by differences in composition and anatomy of these elements. For instance, balsa is so light (and soft) because it has large, thin-walled cells, so the structure ends up actually just containing a lot of air. While other heavier species may have thicker-walled, densely-packed fibers, and/or contain a higher percentage of lignin (basically an organic polymer with a high density around 1350 kg/m3).

So to borrow your example, it would be like comparing the strength of a hollow tube of titanium with a solid rod. There’s no mystery in that comparison because the materials are the same, just the configuration is different.

So with the added understanding that we are talking about wood specifically, I will reiterate that density very much is closely related and strongly correlated with strength, hardness, workability, etc. This is well attested to in wood science. The USDA uses wood density to estimate hardness. https://www.fpl.fs.usda.gov/documnts/fplrp/fpl_rp643.pdf Wood density is also used to assign provisional strength groups to wood species where other data is lacking or incomplete. https://www.saiglobal.com/PDFTemp/Previews/OSH/as/as2000/2800/2878.pdf

While the correlation isn’t perfect, and it can vary depending on which strength test is being referenced, the correlation in general is definitely there, and is very helpful to keep in mind when assessing new or unknown woods.

Had posted this on the ‘bloodwood’ page, but that top bat has padauk as the stripes! Makes a great red for this star spangled bat :)

Thanks.
He’s in the U.K.

That is the coolest bass I’ve ever seen bro

It’s not safe for baby toy as padauk has potential to creat irritation and allergic

Thanks, Eric. The more I look at it the more I think it is likely black walnut. Grain patterning is very similar and the color is more of a deep brown with a bit of red tones than the red of padauk. Still not sure what the tips are but will keep evaluating!

Padauk is a possibility for the outermost layer, though it’d be nearly impossible to say with certainty.

Gary, how is that done ? (Asking cuz I don’t know!)

thanks sincerely

Patrick

Hi Patrick, I have identified the wooden hippo. It is made from African Mahogany. Khaya Anthotheca of the Meliaceae family.

Chakte viga ?

impossible, from a photo like this…litterally thousands of wood species, that “look” like this….

Lucky we have 99% ethyl alcohol available. No methyl alcohol in it. Expensive, but it’s worth its price. Dissolves shellac beautifully.