Someone posted this over on BF and I thought it was interesting enough to share with the dogs too,seeing as how we like to chop on wood so much.
The Janka hardness test.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janka_hardness_test

I'm sure there's a reason, but there's definately woods that are missing (or they're using another name) from the list. Two of the hardest woods in my area are Locust and Bodock.

They had a thread about that on the BF Busse subforum a few months back. You can find a more thorough list at ALLTHINGSWOOD.net or waynesworld/palomar/edu. I love my local desert Ironwood. But it's nothing compared to Scrapyard/Busse Knives!

We have a block of lignum vitae here (top end of the Jenka scale). It's not only crazy hard, it's heavy. Does not float. :P

Cool thanks