Walnut and beech are the two woods we use most at the Hrachya Ohanyan workshop. Both are excellent hardwoods for carving, but they give a board a very different personality. Here is how they compare.
Walnut: rich, dark and expressive
Walnut is prized by furniture makers and carvers alike. Its heartwood ranges from warm, light brown to deep chocolate tones, often with a lively, flowing grain. Walnut is strong yet pleasant to carve, and it takes fine detail well.
- Look: dark, warm and luxurious
- Ageing: mellows gracefully over time
- Best for: heirloom sets, formal interiors and special gifts
Beech: light, hard and precise
Beech has a pale cream to light pinkish-brown colour and a fine, even texture. It is a dense, hard-wearing wood, which keeps carved lines crisp and makes beech boards ideal for frequent play.
- Look: light, clean and classic
- Ageing: warms slightly towards honey tones
- Best for: everyday play, detailed ornaments and bright, modern rooms
Side-by-side comparison
| Walnut | Beech | |
|---|---|---|
| Colour | Light to deep chocolate brown | Cream to light pinkish-brown |
| Grain | Expressive, flowing | Fine and even |
| Hardness | Hard | Slightly harder |
| Carving | Rich depth and contrast | Crisp, precise detail |
| Character | Formal and luxurious | Classic and bright |
What about epoxy resin?
For a contemporary look, some of our boards combine wood with epoxy resin inlays. The resin fills natural edges and patterns with colour and light, creating a one-of-a-kind board. Explore epoxy resin backgammon sets and epoxy resin 2-in-1 sets.
So which should you choose?
Choose walnut if you want a statement piece with depth and warmth — see our walnut backgammon sets and walnut chess and backgammon sets. Choose beech if you love crisp carving, lighter tones and a board built for daily games. Whichever you pick, a natural beeswax finish and a little care will keep it beautiful for decades — see our care guide.
