Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionRussian Olive Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
Russian Olive is best understood by how it looks, how it works, and where it should be used. This guide explains the practical buying details before sending you to the right Kingma products.
Scientific nameElaeagnus angustifolia
Janka hardness1,240 lbf
Average dried weight43 lb/ft³
Best fitBowls
Overview
Why choose Russian Olive?
Russian Olive is an imported specialty hardwood. Native range spans eastern Europe plus western and central Asia, and it has naturalized across North America. Common uses include bowls, pens, knife scales and similar small turning work.
Scientific nameElaeagnus angustifolia
DistributionNative range spans eastern Europe plus western and central Asia, and it has naturalized across North America
Russian Olive colour, grain, and figure
Colour runs between a pale yellowish brown and a deeper golden brown, occasionally greenish-tinted. The sapwood is a much paler yellow-white.
It is very porous with an uneven texture, which sets it apart from true olive (Olea genus).
Working notes
Aside from the usual risks of any wood dust, no other health reactions are linked to Russian Olive.
Russian Olive should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Russian Olive
Best projects
Common uses include bowls, pens, knife scales and similar small turning work.
Use caution
Avoid specifying it by name alone; confirm board size, moisture, colour, figure, and the project environment before buying.
Finish strategy
Test finishes on offcuts first, especially when colour, blotching, outdoor exposure, or grain filling matters.
Buying note
Choose boards, slabs, plywood, blanks, or posts based on the project rather than species name alone.
Shop path
Buying Russian Olive from Kingma
Start with the direct species match when Kingma sells it. If stock rotates, use the closest live collection or a clearly explained alternative.
Live edge slabs
Use when the customer cares more about slab format and visual impact than this exact species.
View optionSimilar woods and alternatives
If Kingma does not have an exact match online, use the buying links below as practical alternatives only when the colour, grain, hardness, or project environment makes sense.
Russian Olive FAQ
What is Russian Olive best used for?
Common uses include bowls, pens, knife scales and similar small turning work. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Russian Olive beginner friendly?
It depends on density, grain direction, and tooling. Test cuts on offcuts first, and choose Maple, Cherry, Walnut, or Poplar when easier machining is the priority.
Does Kingma sell Russian Olive?
The buying section on this page links to any Russian Olive Kingma has in stock and to the closest alternatives. Stock changes often, so call (780) 229-7681 or visit the yard at 4607 91 Ave NW, Edmonton to check what is in today.