Here's a weird one. Went to the local lumber supplier to pick up a few things after work, when something caught my eye. In amongst a collection of dowels and squares was a set of 4'x3/8" dowels. I've made shafts out of ramin, walnut, cherry, poplar, and oak dowels, but never have I seen any like these.
They're labeled "Eco Dowels", and the closest thing they brought to mind was a set of Surewood Douglas Fir. Greater runout, of course, but mostly ramrod straight with a nice, showy grain. Really nice stuff. I asked the closest worker what they could be, and he didn't have a clue. Said the woods are never the same. However, he assured me it's a hardwood. Sure could be; it's somewhat dense and about 100 grains heavier than my 80/85 firs. I've just never seen a hardwood shaft this naturally straight or with as prominent a grain. Let alone a hardwood dowel.
So, any ideas on what wood these are? Anyone worked with these? Thanks guys...