Once nearly lost, Allen Purpleheart carries its story forward with uncommon beauty.
Allen Purpleheart
The Story
When I met Mr. Allen, I found more than a neighbor with a shop full of lumber — I found a fellow craftsman whose way of working and collecting mirrored my own. Parkinson’s had pushed him out of the shop, but his incredible inventory remained, stacked and waiting for a second chance.
Among those boards was Purpleheart — a wood as bold in color as it is in character. Dense and durable, it was one of many pieces he had saved with intention, the same way he saved every board worth keeping.
Bringing Allen Purpleheart into my shop meant more than reclaiming exotic lumber. It meant honoring the stewardship of another craftsman who believed good wood should never be wasted — and ensuring that this remarkable material continues its story in new hands.
About the Tree
Purpleheart (Peltogyne spp.) is a tropical hardwood native to Central and South America, where it rises tall above the forest canopy. Mature trees often reach 100 to 150 feet in height, with straight trunks that can stretch clear of branches for half that distance before spreading into a wide crown.
In the forest, Purpleheart stands out less for its bark and leaves than for the secret it holds inside: heartwood that turns a deep violet when freshly cut and exposed to light. That natural transformation — from plain brown to striking purple — has long fascinated woodworkers and collectors alike.
The tree shown here is simply an example of the species — not the exact tree that supplied the boards from Mr. Allen’s shop.
About the Wood
Purpleheart is unlike any other lumber that comes through the Salt Shaker shop. Freshly cut, its heartwood shows a brown tone that quickly shifts to the rich violet color that always surprises customers — many find it hard to believe the purple is natural and not a stain.
Dense and durable, Purpleheart planes smooth, holds crisp edges, and takes on a natural luster when finished. It asks for sharp tools and patient hands, but the reward is striking: a surface that feels almost polished before finish ever touches it.
For me, Allen Purpleheart represents more than exotic beauty. These boards — once part of Mr. Allen’s incredible inventory — carry both the weight of a tropical hardwood and the care of a craftsman who chose to save them.
Why It Matters
Every board of Allen Purpleheart carries more than its bold color — it carries the story of a craftsman who saved good wood with the belief it still had purpose. Even when Parkinson’s kept Mr. Allen out of the shop, he held onto this lumber, trusting that someone else would one day carry it forward.
Purpleheart itself is a reminder that beauty and strength often come with patience. Freshly cut, it looks ordinary; with time and exposure, it transforms into the deep violet tones that stop people in their tracks. Paired with the stewardship of a man who chose preservation over waste, these boards become more than exotic hardwood — they become a continuation of his effort, and a chance for me to give them new life in the Salt Shaker shop.
Made From Allen Purpleheart
A tortilla rolling pin made from Allen Purpleheart — smooth, balanced, and ready for daily use.
A cutting board accented with vivid Purpleheart stripes — this piece has found a home, but more are always on the way.
A hand-turned bowl of Allen Purpleheart — once available, now living on in a new home.
Pieces made from Allen Purpleheart are available now in the shop — each one carrying forward the story of this remarkable wood. If you have an idea of your own, I’d be glad to bring it to life. Request a custom order and we can create something together from Allen Purpleheart or another reclaimed wood in the shop.