Lignum Vitae is one of the densest and heaviest woods in the world. In fact, if placed in water it will actually sink to the bottom. People have come to think of it as the “tree of life” or more commonly “iron wood”. LV has long been used to make mallets (and gavels) due to its significant strength and resiliency. The heartwood color ranges from a dark greenish brown to black. Lignum Vitae is excellent for wood turning, as well as being used for bearings, bushings, some marine applications, and mallet heads. It has an oily to waxy character and takes a high polish.