Several different woods are used for the tools pictured here. The two standard wood options are European Beech and Sapele. Handles, screw-threads and some other details are mostly made of Jatoba, also known as South American Cherry. Smaller details are usually made from Wenge, although I sometimes use other hardwoods for decorative effects, for example Rosewood, Padouk, or Ebony.
If preferred, I can also use domestic North American woods: White Oak, Maple (Western and Eastern) or American Cherry. (Check with me regarding any price differences for these woods.)
Previously Honduras Mahogany was also available, but owing to environmental and conservation concerns, this is no longer the case.
All tools and equipment are currently finished with Oli-Natura oil. This is an oil-based, non-toxic, environmentally friendly product, made in Germany. (http://www.hardwaxoil.ca/category/products/) After oiling, a final polishing with my own beeswax polish is applied to appropriate surfaces. Pressing boards, backing boards and the inner faces of the various presses are generally left unwaxed.
No stains or pigments are used.