Snakewood Collection

If you are looking for a handle that serves as an ultimate status symbol, Snakewood is the answer. Widely considered one of the most expensive and sought-after timbers in the world, it is the definition of exotic luxury. 

Visually, the wood is mesmerising. It gets its name from its incredible grain pattern, which closely resembles the skin of a viper. The wood features a rich, reddish-brown background speckled with distinct, dark brown or black patches. These markings are not painted on, they are a natural phenomenon of the tree's growth. It is an incredibly dense, heavy wood that polishes to a glass-like natural sheen, feeling cool and solid in the hand.

Where can it be found? This rare timber is sourced from the forests of Northern South America, specifically coastal regions of Suriname and Guyana. It is a small, relatively slender tree, and finding a log that displays the prized "snake" pattern consistently throughout is exceptionally difficult, which contributes to its high value.

Where else is it used? Snakewood is the holy grail for traditional bow makers. Because it is stiff, heavy, and beautiful, it was the wood of choice for high-end Baroque violin bows. You will also find it used in fine calligraphy pens, custom pool cues, and the walking sticks of 19th-century gentlemen who wanted to flaunt their wealth.

Did you know? In the 17th century, the Dutch controlled the trade of this wood and named it "Letterhout" (Letterwood). They believed the dark, irregular patches looked like hieroglyphs or handwritten letters scribbled across the timber. So, when you look at the handle, you aren't just seeing a pattern; you are looking at nature's own unreadable manuscript.