Desert Ironwood is first with Mesquite tied with Curly Maple for a close second. A very hearty apology to the 2 chunks of Cholla that I've been meaning to try out...
Brown not green lignum vitae followed by a honduran rosewood.
I am a beginner, have not made my first knife yet, but as a woodworker on the lathe, these two woods plus cocobolo always came out wild, especially if I added some betadyne solution to the final stages.
Jon
Black American Walnut burl and Tiger Maple are tied for first in my collection. I really love all woods. Each piece is in it's own right different and has it's own character.