Hobbies And Interests
Hickory and Ash
Toy maker John Michael Linck says hickory and ash woods are equally tough. Hickory is a slow-growing tree, but it produces very hard wood that's good for use in skis and toy axles where a strength and durability are key factors. White Ash is popular for use in baseball bats and hockey sticks.
Oaks
Linck notes that oak woods are categorized as either white or red. Both are remarkably strong. For toy making, Linck chooses red oak wood and uses it to make load-bearing rider toys and wooden blocks.
Walnut Woods
Walnut trees and their cousins, the butternuts, are used in toy making and other wood crafts. The walnut, or black walnut, wood is famous for use in cabinetry, gun stocks and toys because of its dark color and strength. Butternut, or white walnut, wood is somewhat softer than its cousin, lighter in color and used in parts of wooden toys protected by other, stronger woods, according to Linck.
Other Woods
Black cherry, mahogany, white birch and sugar maple are also hardwoods favored by Linck for toy making. Black cherry wood is durable and aromatic. Mahogany is light, strong and has a beautiful color. It has been a luxury in furniture and toy making for years. Sugar maple and white birch woods are lighter-colored woods. Sugar maple wood is durable and Linck uses white birch in making dowels and wheels for his trains.