Living Knot Lumber Company

About Living Knot Lumber Company — Hardwood Lumber in Abingdon

Living Knot Lumber Company serves as Abingdon’s premier destination for quality hardwood lumber, catering to furniture makers, cabinetmakers, fine woodworkers, and hobbyists throughout Southwest Virginia. Located on Hillman Highway, this specialized lumber store focuses exclusively on providing premium hardwood boards in both domestic and exotic species.

The company stocks an extensive inventory of hardwood lumber available in rough, S2S (surfaced two sides), and S4S (surfaced four sides) formats, sold by the board foot. Their selection spans popular domestic species like oak, maple, cherry, and walnut, alongside exotic varieties for specialty projects. All lumber is properly graded following industry standards including FAS (First and Seconds), Select, and #1 Common grades.

Unlike big box retailers that offer limited wood selection and questionable quality, Living Knot Lumber Company specializes in proper wood storage, moisture content management, and knowledgeable customer service. Their staff understands grain patterns, figured wood characteristics, and can provide guidance on species selection for specific woodworking applications.

Abingdon’s rich Appalachian heritage and growing maker community create strong demand for quality hardwood lumber. The region’s furniture crafters and woodworkers rely on suppliers who understand the importance of proper wood grading, consistent moisture levels, and the unique characteristics that make each species suitable for different applications.

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What to Expect When You Visit

Visiting Living Knot Lumber Company means stepping into a working lumber yard where serious woodworkers select materials for their projects. You’ll find neatly stacked hardwood boards organized by species and grade, with knowledgeable staff ready to help you calculate board footage and discuss the characteristics of different wood species.

The atmosphere is practical and focused, with the distinctive aroma of various hardwoods filling the air. Staff members understand woodworking terminology and can guide you through grading standards, moisture content considerations, and custom milling options to ensure you get exactly what your project requires.

Products & Materials

Living Knot Lumber Company maintains an extensive inventory of hardwood lumber spanning both domestic and exotic species. Popular domestic varieties include red oak, white oak, hard maple, soft maple, cherry, walnut, ash, hickory, and poplar, available in various thicknesses from 4/4 to 8/4 and beyond. Their exotic selection features species like mahogany, teak, purpleheart, and zebrawood for specialty applications.

All lumber is available in rough-sawn condition or surfaced to customer specifications (S2S or S4S), with proper grading following NHLA standards. FAS grade represents the highest quality with minimal defects, while Select and #1 Common grades offer cost-effective options for projects where some character marks are acceptable.

Beyond standard lumber, the company offers custom milling services, figured wood selection for premium projects, and expertise in matching grain patterns for panel work. Their inventory management ensures proper moisture content levels and storage conditions to maintain lumber quality.

Who Shops Here

Living Knot Lumber Company attracts serious furniture makers who demand consistent quality and proper grading, cabinetmakers working on custom kitchen and built-in projects, professional woodworkers creating heirloom pieces, and dedicated hobbyists who understand the value of starting with premium materials. Contractors specializing in high-end millwork and restoration projects also rely on their expertise and species selection.

Serving the Abingdon, Virginia Area

Abingdon’s location in the heart of Appalachia provides access to exceptional domestic hardwood species, while the town’s growing arts community and maker movement create strong demand for quality lumber suppliers. Local furniture crafters, instrument makers, and woodworking enthusiasts appreciate having a dedicated hardwood specialist who understands the unique requirements of fine woodworking projects.

Tips for First-Time Buyers

• Bring your project plans and discuss wood species selection with staff to ensure you choose the right material for your application
• Learn to identify FAS, Select, and #1 Common grades to make informed purchasing decisions based on your project requirements
• Ask about moisture content levels and acclimation time needed before beginning your woodworking project
• Inspect boards personally when possible, looking for grain patterns and figure that complement your design vision
• Calculate board footage requirements in advance, but consider purchasing 10-15% extra to account for waste and matching
• Inquire about custom milling services if your project requires specific dimensions or profiles

Woodworking Clubs & Resources near Abingdon, Virginia

The Blue Ridge Woodturners, a chapter of the American Association of Woodturners, serves the Southwest Virginia region including Abingdon and meets regularly in nearby Bristol. Virginia Highlands Community College in Abingdon offers woodworking and cabinet making programs through their career and technical education division. Additionally, the Tri-Cities area woodworkers often connect through informal networks and the regional maker community, though dedicated makerspaces are more limited in this rural mountain region.

Find a local woodworking guild →  ·  Find an AAW chapter →

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