Looking for a wood with specific qualities.

[BearTricks]

I don't have experience with a huge variety of woods, I've mostly oak so far, so I don't know off the top of my head if there are any woods available that would fit my requirements.

I'm turning a segmented bowl and want to use pear for part of it. I'm looking for a wood that is as close to pear as possible in terms of grain and overall 'feel' so that the bowl is a uniform texture all over, but I want the second wood to be a pale cream in colour.

While I'm at it, are there any reliable sources of pear in the UK? I know it's not the most widespread wood, and places like Yandles do have some, but I'd like it in boards is possible. If not, then the cheapest source I can find. I have a couple of blanks, but not enough to cover me if I make some mistakes.

 

[RobinBHM]

I think pearwood is a diffuse porous timber, so a smooth timber without the course spring grain you see on oak, ash etc.

Matching timbers would include: lime, sycamore, maple

 

[Sgian Dubh]

Matching timbers would include: lime, sycamore, maple

You could add to Robin's good start timbers such as holly, apple and boxwood for similar fine grained, fairly dense, diffuse porous species, although all are likely to be relatively hard to source. Birch and European beech (unsteamed) are much more easily found, but the colour of these may not suit your needs so well. Slainte.

 

[AndyT]

Timberline list pear.
http://www.exotichardwoods.co.uk/Woods_List/Steamed_Pearwood.asp