Russian Olive Stabilized Knife Scale Hybrid

1 x 1.50  x 6

Russian Olive is a distinctive and highly characterful hardwood prized by woodturners for its unusual color, dramatic grain, and natural figure. The heartwood can range from golden yellow and tan to olive-brown, reddish-brown, and darker chocolate tones, often with striking color variation within the same piece.

Although Russian Olive is best known as a tree that has become established outside its native range, its wood has become increasingly popular with woodworkers looking to turn reclaimed or locally sourced material into one-of-a-kind projects.

Botanical Information

Botanical Name: Elaeagnus angustifolia

Family: Elaeagnaceae

Genus: Elaeagnus

Species: Elaeagnus angustifolia

Common & Trade Names

Russian Olive, Russian Olive Wood, Olive Leaf, Oleaster, Persian Olive, Wild Olive, Silver Berry, and Narrow-Leaved Olive.

Note: Russian Olive is not a true olive (Olea europaea). Despite the similar common name, the two trees belong to different botanical families.

Origin & Distribution

Russian Olive is native to parts of Central Asia and southeastern Europe and has been introduced extensively throughout North America and other regions.

It is commonly encountered growing along waterways, roadsides, agricultural areas, and disturbed landscapes. Because it is often removed as an invasive or unwanted tree, Russian Olive wood can be an excellent example of turning reclaimed material into useful, high-character lumber.

Color & Appearance

Russian Olive is known for its attractive and sometimes surprisingly colorful heartwood. Colors can range from:

Golden yellow

Olive green

Tan

Amber

Reddish-brown

Olive-brown

Dark brown

Some pieces can display dramatic streaking, knots, mineral coloration, and contrasting areas of heartwood and sapwood.

Freshly cut material can be especially colorful, while exposure to air and finishing may deepen and change the appearance over time.

Grain & Texture

The grain of Russian Olive can range from straight to irregular, wavy, or interlocked. Knots, crotches, branch inclusions, and other natural features are common and can produce highly figured blanks.

The texture is generally fine to medium, allowing Russian Olive to take a smooth finish and polish.

Because much Russian Olive comes from smaller trees, branches, and reclaimed material, blanks may contain natural character such as knots, bark inclusions, voids, or other features. These characteristics are part of what makes each piece unique.

Wood Characteristics

Russian Olive is a moderately dense hardwood with good hardness for turning and small woodworking projects.

Approximate characteristics include:

Density: Approximately 40–45 lbs/ft³

Specific Gravity: Approximately 0.60–0.70

Janka Hardness: Approximately 1,000–1,200 lbf

Actual characteristics can vary depending on growing conditions, age, moisture content, and the individual tree.

Stability & Durability

Properly dried Russian Olive can be a stable and durable material for smaller woodworking projects. As with many fruit and ornamental hardwoods, careful drying and acclimation are important, particularly with thicker pieces.

The natural density and hardness of the wood make it well suited for projects that receive regular handling.

Workability & Woodturning

Russian Olive can turn beautifully with sharp tools. Its moderate-to-high density allows it to produce crisp details while its fine texture can result in a smooth surface after sanding.

It is especially well suited for:

Pen blanks

Bottle stoppers

Game calls

Duck calls

Knife handles

Knife scales

Small bowls

Handles

Decorative turnings

Carving

Small specialty projects

Its irregular grain and natural inclusions can create interesting turning challenges, but they can also produce some of the most visually distinctive finished pieces.

Finishing

Russian Olive responds well to oils, waxes, cyanoacrylate finishes, lacquers, polyurethane, and other common woodworking finishes.

A clear finish is particularly effective for bringing out its golden, olive, amber, and brown tones while highlighting the natural grain and figure.

Because the wood can contain irregular grain and end-grain areas, thorough sanding is recommended before applying the final finish.

Ideal Uses

Russian Olive wood blanks are excellent for:

Pen blanks

Woodturning

Knife handles

Knife scales

Bottle stoppers

Game calls

Duck calls

Small bowls

Handles

Carving

Decorative woodworking

Specialty turning projects

Custom woodworking

Health & Safety

As with other hardwoods, Russian Olive dust can cause irritation to the eyes, skin, and respiratory system. Use appropriate dust collection, eye protection, and respiratory protection when cutting, sanding, or turning the wood.

Because individual sensitivity varies, discontinue use if irritation occurs.

CITES & Conservation

Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) is not generally considered a CITES-regulated timber species. However, regulations concerning the movement of plant material and wood can vary by jurisdiction. Buyers are responsible for verifying any applicable requirements for international shipments.

Interesting Facts

Russian Olive is not actually an olive. It belongs to the Elaeagnaceae family rather than the olive family, Oleaceae.

The tree is also valued by woodworkers because material from removed or reclaimed trees can be turned into beautiful specialty lumber rather than going to waste.

The combination of unusual color, knots, irregular grain, and natural figure means Russian Olive blanks can have a very different appearance from one another—even when they come from the same tree.

Why Choose Russian Olive Wood?

Russian Olive is an excellent choice for woodworkers who want something different from traditional hardwoods. Its combination of golden and olive tones, dramatic grain, natural figure, and reclaimed character makes it especially appealing for one-of-a-kind projects.

Whether you're making a custom pen, knife handle, game call, bottle stopper, or decorative turning, Russian Olive provides natural character that is difficult to duplicate.

Oakbrook Wood Turning Supply offers Russian Olive wood for woodturners, pen makers, knife makers, call makers, and craftsmen looking for unique hardwood blanks with distinctive natural color and figure.