Go Reviews

Purpleheart Go Board
Made by Carol Dufour
Reviewed by David Bogie
October 20, 2003

I first noticed Carol Dufour's woodworking on eBay about six months ago because his go boards kept showing up in my searches. They were unusual, made of oak and butternut. When he offered a truly unique go board made of purpleheart, I ordered it immediately for $200, including protective packaging and shipping from Canada. Purpleheart, Leguminosae Peltogyne, grows in South America and is not endangered. The wood is incredibly dense and is difficult to work, quickly dulling edged tools. The breathtaking purple calls to the wood artist. You have seen it in wood sculptures, pool cues, marquetry, flooring, and in custom tools for the discriminating woodworker. Carol is an expert cabinetmaker; his knowledge and skill are evident. Eleven sticks were machined and planed, carefully aligned and matched for color and grain, and pressure-clamped to form the slab. As the wood ages, movement will be balanced by the opposing orientation of the grain. The grid looks silk-screened but was hand-applied using a gabarit, or drawing gauge. Several undercoats of varnish ensured the ink could not bleed. The lines are a bit thick but laser-straight. My board is 1-5/8" thick, the feet make it a nice 2-1/2", and it weighs a hefty 30 pounds. The board plays beautifully with a pleasant sound and plenty of eye appeal. The striking purple color contrasts sharply with warm shell while complimenting cold slate creating a unique visual treat.

Visit Carol Dufour's site at http://www.boardgamego.com