Dreidel

A small object that takes more time than people expect. The dreidel has to spin true, which means the centre of mass has to sit dead-centre on the spinning axis, which means a careful turn on the lathe and a hand-balanced finish. A poorly balanced dreidel wobbles after one revolution and stops in three.

Woods: walnut (dark, rich), olive (highly figured, holds detail), maple (pale, easy on the engraver). The four Hebrew letters (נ, ג, ה, ש) are engraved at lathe speed for a sharp edge and burnished.

Sold singly (gift box included) or as a set of four in a coordinated wooden case — popular as a corporate Hanukkah gift. Customisation: a fifth dreidel in the set with a custom letter (initials, family name) for the centrepiece.