Choosing the right peg finish is one of the final decisions in a board build — and one that your customers will notice immediately. Here’s a breakdown of every finish we offer and how to match them to your boards.
Why Finish Matters
The peg finish sets the tone for the entire board. A beautiful piece of walnut or maple deserves a peg that complements it — not one that looks like an afterthought. For makers who sell their boards, the right peg finish can elevate the perceived value of the whole piece and give customers a reason to choose your board over a competitor’s.
At Gapple we offer five finishes across our standard peg lineup. Each one has its own character, its own best use cases, and its own following among makers and buyers.
Silver — Clean, Versatile, High Contrast
Silver is our most popular finish. The bright surface catches the light and provides strong contrast against virtually any wood species. Whether you’re building on walnut, maple, cherry, oak, mahogany, or a live edge slab, silver pegs stand out cleanly and score easily during play.
For makers, silver is a safe default finish to stock. It pairs with everything, appeals to a wide range of buyers, and photographs well for product listings. Players appreciate the visibility during game play — no squinting to find your peg on the board.
Copper — Warm, Rich, and Distinctive
Copper is one of our most visually striking finishes. The warm reddish-brown tone pairs well with lighter wood species — maple, ash, birch, and light oak all let the copper color show. It also works well against the natural grain of live edge and rustic builds where the warmth of the copper fits the character of the wood.
The finish gives copper pegs a rich, deep color that buyers often describe as premium — it reads as intentional and handcrafted. For makers targeting the craft fair and Etsy market, copper pegs add a look that sets boards apart.
Copper is consistently one of our top three finishes by volume.
Black — Bold, Modern, High Contrast
Black is the finish that gets the most attention at craft fairs and in product photos. The dark surface creates strong contrast against lighter wood species — maple, ash, birch, and light oak all stand out against a black peg. The result is a clean, contemporary look that appeals to younger buyers and anyone building boards with a modern aesthetic.
For makers working with darker woods like walnut or ebonized finishes, black pegs create a tonal effect that reads as intentional rather than disappearing into the board.
Black is our third strongest finish by volume and a consistent seller for makers who want to offer something beyond the traditional metal tones.
Brass — Classic, Warm, Timeless
Brass is the traditional cribbage peg finish — the one most players picture when they think of a quality metal peg. The warm gold tone pairs well with darker hardwoods — walnut, cherry, mahogany, and rosewood are all a natural fit. For makers building boards with a traditional or heirloom feel, brass is the right call.
Brass pegs appeal to older buyers and serious cribbage players who associate the finish with quality and tradition. If your boards have a classic, handcrafted feel, brass fits that positioning well.
Polished Steel / Stainless — Sleek and Durable
Our standard pegs are available in a polished steel finish — a bright, high-sheen surface that pairs well with contemporary board designs and modern aesthetics. For our oversized and specialty peg sizes, we offer stainless steel which brings the same clean look with added corrosion resistance.
Both finishes work well across a wide range of wood species and appeal to buyers who want a clean, industrial look or are building boards for competitive play where visibility and durability matter.
Matching Finishes to Your Board Track Layout
The number of tracks on your board determines how many peg colors you need — and there are clear patterns in what makers order most.
2-Track Boards
The most popular combinations are silver and copper or silver and black. Both pairings give strong contrast between players without competing visually with the board itself.
3-Track Boards
The three track board is the most popular cribbage board layout and the one most makers build. Silver, copper, and black are the three most common finishes ordered together for this format — all three offer high contrast against each other and against the board, and they photograph well together for product listings.
4-Track Boards
Four track boards add a fourth player and a fourth color. The most common combination is silver, copper, black, and brass — the warm gold tone of brass rounds out the set and pairs well with the other three finishes across a wide range of wood species.
Which Finish Is Right for Your Board?
There’s no wrong answer — the best finish is the one that makes your board look the way you intended. A few quick guidelines:
- Light woods (maple, ash, birch, light oak) — silver, copper, or black for strong contrast
- Dark woods (walnut, cherry, mahogany, rosewood) — brass, silver, or copper for warmth and visibility
- Live edge and rustic builds — copper or brass for a natural, handcrafted feel
- Modern and contemporary boards — black or polished steel for a clean look
- Competition and display boards — silver or polished/stainless for visibility and durability
Not sure which finish is right for your next build? Reach out — we’re happy to talk through it or send samples so you can test before you order.