Premium Hardwood. Ready to Build

Premium Canadian Hardwood
Premium Wood.
Built Right.
For the Builds That Matter.
★★★★★ 4.8/5 · 375+ reviews · 6,000+ woodworkers
  • Hand-selected by woodworkers — same wood we build with
  • Kiln-dried for stability — no warping, no mystery moisture
  • Free shipping across US & Canada — no minimum
  • Don't love it — we replace it, no questions asked

Lumber Packs
Start From Scratch


Cutting Board Blanks
Ready To Finish

Sand, oil, engrave, and sell. No prep work required.

Hand-selected by woodworkers
Kiln-dried for stability
S2S surfaced — project ready
Free US & Canada shipping
100% satisfaction guarantee
Exactly what arrives at your door

No Guesswork.
No Prep Work.

For our lumber packs

Every board hand-selected, kiln-dried, and surfaced S2S. Ready to cut and build the moment the box opens. This is the wood we use in our own furniture shop — the same standard, every single order.

  • 01
    Quantity
    5 boards per pack — matched for character, grain, and colour consistency
  • 02
    Thickness
    4/4 (~1" thick) — the most versatile hardwood thickness. Works with standard tools
    8/4 (~2" thick) — perfect for turning, thick cutting boards, and chunky furniture legs
  • 03
    Width
    4/4: 4"–6" wide
    8/4: 4"–6" or 6"–8" wide — usable widths selected, no narrow offcuts or waste pieces
  • 04
    Lengths
    24" or 48" — choose at checkout based on your project needs
  • 05
    Surfacing
    S2S — two flat faces. Consistent thickness. S4S upgrade adds jointed straight edges — glue-up ready
  • 06
    Drying
    Kiln-dried for stability — no mystery movement. Consistent moisture content throughout
  • 07
    Selection
    Hand-selected by woodworkers — every board chosen for grain, colour, and stability. Same wood we build with ourselves
Hardwood board ends showing grain rings and S2S flat faces
Free shipping on all orders · 100% satisfaction guarantee
Watch what happens

Apply One Coat of Oil.
Watch This Happen.

Every species arrives unfinished so you can apply your preferred oil or finish. One coat of mineral oil transforms raw wood — revealing the full depth, grain, and character of the species.

Black Walnut
Raw unfinished Black Walnut board — before oiling
Before — Raw
Raw Black Walnut
Unfinished — lighter, muted grain
Black Walnut board after oiling — rich chocolate grain revealed
After — One Coat Oil
Rich Chocolate Depth
Same board — one coat mineral oil
Ambrosia Maple
Raw unfinished Ambrosia Maple blank — before oiling
Before — Raw
Raw Ambrosia Maple
Unfinished — pale cream with subtle streaking
Ambrosia Maple blank after oiling — dramatic grain revealed
After — One Coat Oil
Dramatic Grain Depth
Same board — one coat mineral oil
"The wood is almost too nice to cut up! Beautiful graining — no prep work other than a light sanding. Ideal for visual pieces."
— Keith R.  · Verified Buyer · 5★
We reward every builder
Free Wood.
Every Order.

We automatically add free premium hardwood based on your order total. No codes. No sign-ups. Just free wood in your box.

Tier 01
1 Free
Premium Board
Orders over $300
Every qualifying order unlocks a free premium hardwood board — automatically added before we ship.
Tier 02
3 Free
Premium Boards
Orders over $500
Larger orders unlock three free premium boards. Most builders hit this tier — it's the sweet spot.
Tier 03
Free
4ft Lumber Pack
Orders over $1,000
Our largest orders earn a full 4ft premium hardwood lumber pack — a complete bonus bundle on us.
Black Walnut Hard Maple Cherry Ambrosia Maple Aromatic Cedar

No codes · Ships in same box · No extra charges · Automatic

Free shipping · Builder Rewards added automatically
Our story
We Started As
Furniture Builders.

We started as a small retail and furniture studio in Hamilton, Ontario — designing and building pieces by hand. To build well, we needed hardwood we could count on.

When we couldn't find the consistency we wanted, we began sourcing and selecting it ourselves. Out of the workshop came the lumber side — naturally.

We still run a full furniture shop today and we still hand-select every board the same way we select our own stock. Whether you're a professional or just getting started, your materials should make you feel excited to build — not overwhelmed.

We ship free to the US and Canada — most US orders arrive in 3–5 business days.

6,000+
Woodworkers
4.8★
Avg Rating
375+
Verified Reviews
John at The Knotty Lumber Co. shop
What builders make with premium hardwood
What Will
You Build?

Our hardwood works for woodworkers at every skill level. Here's what our customers are building — and what they say about the results.

Handmade hardwood furniture — legs, shelves and structural work
🏛️
Legs, Shelves & Structural Work

Table legs, bench aprons, thick drawer fronts, floating shelves with real mass. 8/4 handles the structural demands of serious furniture — and looks stunning doing it.

"Beautiful graining, no need to do any prep work other than a light sanding. Ideal for visual pieces." — Keith R.
Finished cutting board — oiled and styled
🍖
Cutting Boards & Charcuterie

End grain and face grain boards, charcuterie platters, serving boards. Premium hardwood density and oil uptake make it ideal for food-safe builds.

"Beautiful wood. Extremely dense as expected. Looks great in my cutting boards." — Glenn R.
Handmade memorial urns — tribute pieces
🕊️
Urns, Memorials & Tributes

Memorial urns, tribute pieces, commemorative boxes. When the build matters most, premium hardwood's warmth and depth makes something truly lasting.

"Beautiful product to work with. I made urns for pets we've lost. Mixed with walnut — stunning." — Marv R.
Shop Now
Free shipping · 100% satisfaction guarantee
Why woodworkers choose Knotty over local
Not What You Get
At Home Depot.

Most woodworkers start at the big box store. Then they find us — and they don't go back. Here's what our customers say about the difference:

"Unlike Home Depot or Lowe's, these boards were straight as, you guessed it, a board! The exact dimensions advertised."
— Ben S.  · Verified Buyer · 5★

Our boards are hand-selected by woodworkers, kiln-dried for stability, and surfaced S2S — ready to use the moment the box opens. No warping. No wasted cuts. No surprises.

Feature The Knotty Lumber Co. Big Box Stores Online Marketplaces
Board selection Hand-selected for grain, colour & stability Standard-grade stock Varies by seller
Drying & stability Kiln-dried — work-ready from day one Drying method varies May not list moisture details
Dimensions Exact dimensions as advertised — always Often undersized Sizes may differ from listing
Surfacing S2S standard · S4S upgrade available Often requires milling Depends on seller
Consistency 5 boards matched per pack Varies between boards No guarantee of match
Support Real woodworkers answer questions General retail staff Usually none
Guarantee 100% — don't love it, we replace it Standard return policy Platform-dependent
Shipping Free across US & Canada — always Local pickup only Usually paid · varies
What woodworkers say
Real Wood.
Real Builders.
Real Results.
4.8
★★★★★
375+ verified reviews
6,000+ woodworkers served
★★★★★

"I'd never ordered from Knotty before. It arrived at my Florida home in about 3 days in excellent condition. I've since ordered walnut, red oak, and purpleheart."

— Robert A.
Florida, United States · Verified
★★★★★

"Unlike Home Depot or Lowe's, these boards were straight as, you guessed it, a board! The exact dimensions advertised."

— Ben S.
Verified Buyer
★★★★★

"Some big knots in 3 out of 5 planks — after contacting John, new replacement boards were shipped free of charge. Actually very nice, clear wood."

— Simon G.
Guarantee in action · Verified
★★★★★

"Was a little nervous purchasing sight unseen but after reading just about every review, took the plunge. Could not be happier. Will purchase again."

— Robert G.
First-Time Buyer · Verified
★★★★★

"Walnut lumber is in near pristine condition! Love the consistency and the customer service follow up. Repeat customer for life!"

— Pat
Black Walnut · Verified Buyer
★★★★★

"I have purchased 5 different 5-packs from you in the last few months. ALL concerns were handled professionally. I will certainly purchase more."

— Henry S.
Repeat Buyer · Verified
Every question answered
Before You Order.
Do I need a planer or jointer to use these boards?
For our standard S2S boards — no planer required. Faces are already flat and surfaced to consistent thickness. Choose our S4S upgrade and your boards arrive with all 4 sides surfaced — completely glue-up ready with no milling needed at all.
How do I know the boards won't arrive warped or twisted?
We kiln-dry all lumber and hand-select every board for straightness and stability before it goes into a pack. If any board arrives with movement you're unhappy with, we replace it immediately. No questions. Our 40% reorder rate tells you that promise is real.
Will I get usable widths — or a bunch of narrow pieces?
Our 4/4 packs contain boards 4"–6" wide. Our 8/4 packs are available in two width ranges: 4"–6" wide or 6"–8" wide — selected for usable widths, not offcuts. We match boards within a pack for consistency in colour and character. What's shown in the photos is representative of what you receive.
What's the difference between 24" and 48" lengths?
24" boards are ideal for smaller projects, cross-cuts, and minimising waste. 48" boards give you more flexibility for furniture components, table legs, aprons, and builds requiring longer grain runs. Both come in 5-board packs at the same quality standard.
Which species is right for my project?
Black Walnut is the premium choice — rich chocolate tones, exceptional workability, improves with age. Ideal for furniture, gifts, and heirloom builds. Ambrosia Maple offers dramatic grey-blue streaking — every board is unique. Hard Maple is pale and clean — perfect for modern, minimal aesthetics. Cherry deepens to a warm amber over time. Not sure? Ambrosia Maple gives you the most visual impact per dollar.
Are these good for making cutting boards to sell?
Absolutely — our cutting board blanks arrive glued up, planed flat, and drum sanded to 120 grit. Ready to engrave, oil, and sell straight out of the box. No milling, no prep work. Most of our Etsy and market sellers order the Ambrosia Maple 5-pack — the character grain makes every board look unique without any extra work.
Can I order cutting board blanks and lumber in the same order?
Yes — and it pays to combine. Orders over $300 automatically unlock free premium hardwood boards. Orders over $500 unlock three free boards. If you're stocking up on blanks for your business and want lumber for larger builds, combining into one order is the most cost-effective way to buy. Free shipping on everything, no minimum.
What does S2S mean — and what does S4S add?
S2S means Surfaced 2 Sides — both faces are planed flat and to consistent thickness. You still need to joint the edges before gluing up. S4S adds the edges — all 4 sides surfaced, boards arrive completely ready to glue up with no jointing required. Worth the $18 upgrade if you don't have a jointer.
What's the satisfaction guarantee exactly?
Simple: if you're not 100% happy, we replace it. No lengthy process. Send us a photo, tell us what's wrong, and we ship a replacement immediately. No questions. Our returning customer rate tells you this isn't just policy — it's how we operate every single day.
Is free shipping really free — no minimum order?
Yes — no threshold, no minimum, no fine print. Every order ships free across the US and Canada. Most US orders arrive in 3–5 business days. Carefully packed. If anything arrives damaged, that's covered under our satisfaction guarantee — replacement at no cost to you.
100% Satisfaction Guarantee

Don't love the wood — we replace it. No questions. No stress. No risk. We stand behind every board we ship, every single time.

Ready to build?
Premium Hardwood.
Your Door.
Free Shipping.

Hand-selected, kiln-dried, and surfaced S2S — ready to build the moment the box opens. Free shipping across US & Canada. 100% satisfaction guarantee on every order.

Lumber Packs
Start From Scratch

Cutting Board Blanks
Ready To Finish

Free US & Canada shipping · Don't love it — we replace it · 6,000+ woodworkers served · Hamilton, Ontario

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