Latin name: Betula pubescens.
Other names: birch from Finland, birch maser, birch from Carinthia.
Origin: Northern Europe on peatlands and wetlands.
Colour: spotted brown to cream-white.
Comments: This wood is dense and easy to work. In cutlery and cabinetmaking are tortuous trunks and magnifiers that are sought after. They deliver a wood called madré, i.e. veined or speckled with brown with a nice effect, peculiar to veneer.
The pubescent birch is a very popular wood for making knife sleeves and precision tools. Originally from the temperate regions of Europe and Asia, it is often associated with the history of man and his tools.
In Scandinavian culture, birch is considered a sacred tree, symbol of light and purification. The Vikings used birch to make boats, shields and ritual objects. The Sami, the indigenous people of Scandinavia, also wore clothes and shoes with the bark of the birch.
Birch has also been used in traditional medicine. Birch leaves were known for their anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties, while bark was used to relieve muscle and joint pain.
In cutlery, birch is appreciated for its strength, lightness and fine and regular texture. Birch knife sleeves can be left in their natural color or dyed to create interesting visual effects.
However, it is important to note that birch is a species of tree that can be threatened if not managed sustainably. It is therefore important to focus on responsible and sustainable sources when buying birchwood for cutlery.
