Pottermore Wand Cores, Lengths & Flexibilities
As stated in the book, Ollivander only uses 3 different magical substances as cores in his wands, though a reason as to why only three - and specifically only the following three - was never explained. As far as I can tell, the only time we ever get a glimpse of Ollivander discussing his preferred method of wand-making is during the 4th book, Goblet of Fire, when he’s been called to check and test the wands for the four champions before the tasks. He mentions that he never makes wands with veela hair cores because he finds them to be overly “temperamental”. Aside from this, Ollivander is relegated to a small role in the series, despite his larger importance in the final book of the series, Deathly Hallows.
My own geekiness kind of wishes he'd used thestral hair as cores, just like in the Elder Wand in Deathly Hallows. But that's just because I'm incredibly fond of thestrals.
Vastly shorter than the wand woods descriptions, the cores, lengths and flexibilities still remain very interesting and a fun thing to peruse the book for to compare this list with what we find with the characters.
The following description of the powers and properties of the three main wand cores used by Mr. Garrick Ollivander are taken from his own notes.
Early in my career, as I watched my wandmaker father wrestling with substandard wand core materials such as kelpie hair, I conceived the ambition to discover the finest cores and to work only with those when my time came to take over the family business. This I have done. After much experimentation and research, I concluded that only three substances produce wands of the quality to which I am happy to give the illustrious name of Ollivander: unicorn hair, dragon heartstring and phoenix feather. Each of these costly and rare materials has its own distinct properties. The following represents a short summary of my researches into each of the three Supreme Cores. Readers should bear in mind that each wand is the composite of its wood, its core and the experience and nature of its owner; that tendencies of each may counterbalance or outweigh the other; so this can only be a very general overview of an immensely complex subject.
Unicorn
Unicorn hair generally produces the most consistent magic, and is least subject to fluctuations and blockages. Wands with unicorn cores are generally the most difficult to turn to the Dark Arts. They are the most faithful of all wands, and usually remain strongly attached to their first owner, irrespective of whether he or she was an accomplished witch or wizard.
Minor disadvantages of unicorn hair are that they do not make the most powerful wands (although the wand wood may compensate) and that they are prone to melancholy if seriously mishandled, meaning that the hair may ‘die’ and need replacing.
Dragon
As a rule, dragon heartstrings produce wands with the most power, and which are capable of the most flamboyant spells. Dragon wands tend to learn more quickly than other types. While they can change allegiance if won from their original master, they always bond strongly with the current owner.
The dragon wand tends to be easiest to turn to the Dark Arts, though it will not incline that way of its own accord. It is also the most prone of the three cores to accidents, being somewhat temperamental.
Phoenix
This is the rarest core type. Phoenix feathers are capable of the greatest range of magic, though they may take longer than either unicorn or dragon cores to reveal this. They show the most initiative, sometimes acting of their own accord, a quality that many witches and wizards dislike.
Phoenix feather wands are always the pickiest when it comes to potential owners, for the creature from which they are taken is one of the most independent and detached in the world. These wands are the hardest to tame and to personalise, and their allegiance is usually hard won.
Despite there only be 3 possible cores, Jo covers quite a bit about what each wand is most likely suited for and capable of. Many Pottermore beta users are quite proud of which core they’ve gotten, especially if it’s phoenix feather since that’s the same core as in Harry’s famous holly wand.
The following notes on wand length and flexibility are taken from notes on the subject by Mr. Garrick Ollivander, wandmaker.
Many wandmakers simply match the wand length to the size of the witch or wizard who will use it, but this is a crude measure, and fails to take into account many other, important considerations. In my experience, longer wands might suit taller wizards, but they tend to be drawn to bigger personalities, and those of a more spacious and dramatic style of magic. Neater wands favour more elegant and refined spell-casting. However, no single aspect of wand composition should be considered in isolation of all the others, and the type of wood, the core and the flexibility may either counterbalance or enhance the attributes of the wand’s length.
Most wands will be in the range of between nine and fourteen inches. While I have sold extremely short wands (eight inches and under) and very long wands (over fifteen inches), these are exceptionally rare. In the latter case, a physical peculiarity demanded the excessive wand length. However, abnormally short wands usually select those in whose character something is lacking, rather than because they are physically undersized (many small witches and wizards are chosen by longer wands).
Wand flexibility or rigidity denotes the degree of adaptability and willingness to change possessed by the wand-and-owner pair - although, again, this factor ought not to be considered separately from the wand wood, core and length, nor of the owner’s life experience and style of magic, all of which will combine to make the wand in question unique.
Is anyone else immediately struck by the memory of Doloroes Umbridge’s wand at this point? I thought of two things after reading this - first, Hagrid’s “physical peculiarity” resulted in a longer-than-average wand (his was 16 inches before it was snapped by the Ministry, as revealed in Sorcerer’s Stone). And second was Umbridge’s, whose wand is described as shorter than most wands, only 6 or 7 inches long. Something lacking in her personality, indeed!
My wand has phoenix feather core, is eleven inches long and is considered hard. I’m very satisfied with it. I don't have a big personality, I'm fairly shy and reserved, but anyone who knows me knows that I’m hella stubborn and stick to my values like a fly on honey, though I can adapt my mindset and attitude to many situations very well without too many issues.
My own geekiness kind of wishes he'd used thestral hair as cores, just like in the Elder Wand in Deathly Hallows. But that's just because I'm incredibly fond of thestrals.
Vastly shorter than the wand woods descriptions, the cores, lengths and flexibilities still remain very interesting and a fun thing to peruse the book for to compare this list with what we find with the characters.
The following description of the powers and properties of the three main wand cores used by Mr. Garrick Ollivander are taken from his own notes.
Early in my career, as I watched my wandmaker father wrestling with substandard wand core materials such as kelpie hair, I conceived the ambition to discover the finest cores and to work only with those when my time came to take over the family business. This I have done. After much experimentation and research, I concluded that only three substances produce wands of the quality to which I am happy to give the illustrious name of Ollivander: unicorn hair, dragon heartstring and phoenix feather. Each of these costly and rare materials has its own distinct properties. The following represents a short summary of my researches into each of the three Supreme Cores. Readers should bear in mind that each wand is the composite of its wood, its core and the experience and nature of its owner; that tendencies of each may counterbalance or outweigh the other; so this can only be a very general overview of an immensely complex subject.
Unicorn
Unicorn hair generally produces the most consistent magic, and is least subject to fluctuations and blockages. Wands with unicorn cores are generally the most difficult to turn to the Dark Arts. They are the most faithful of all wands, and usually remain strongly attached to their first owner, irrespective of whether he or she was an accomplished witch or wizard.
Minor disadvantages of unicorn hair are that they do not make the most powerful wands (although the wand wood may compensate) and that they are prone to melancholy if seriously mishandled, meaning that the hair may ‘die’ and need replacing.
Dragon
As a rule, dragon heartstrings produce wands with the most power, and which are capable of the most flamboyant spells. Dragon wands tend to learn more quickly than other types. While they can change allegiance if won from their original master, they always bond strongly with the current owner.
The dragon wand tends to be easiest to turn to the Dark Arts, though it will not incline that way of its own accord. It is also the most prone of the three cores to accidents, being somewhat temperamental.
Phoenix
This is the rarest core type. Phoenix feathers are capable of the greatest range of magic, though they may take longer than either unicorn or dragon cores to reveal this. They show the most initiative, sometimes acting of their own accord, a quality that many witches and wizards dislike.
Phoenix feather wands are always the pickiest when it comes to potential owners, for the creature from which they are taken is one of the most independent and detached in the world. These wands are the hardest to tame and to personalise, and their allegiance is usually hard won.
Despite there only be 3 possible cores, Jo covers quite a bit about what each wand is most likely suited for and capable of. Many Pottermore beta users are quite proud of which core they’ve gotten, especially if it’s phoenix feather since that’s the same core as in Harry’s famous holly wand.
The following notes on wand length and flexibility are taken from notes on the subject by Mr. Garrick Ollivander, wandmaker.
Many wandmakers simply match the wand length to the size of the witch or wizard who will use it, but this is a crude measure, and fails to take into account many other, important considerations. In my experience, longer wands might suit taller wizards, but they tend to be drawn to bigger personalities, and those of a more spacious and dramatic style of magic. Neater wands favour more elegant and refined spell-casting. However, no single aspect of wand composition should be considered in isolation of all the others, and the type of wood, the core and the flexibility may either counterbalance or enhance the attributes of the wand’s length.
Most wands will be in the range of between nine and fourteen inches. While I have sold extremely short wands (eight inches and under) and very long wands (over fifteen inches), these are exceptionally rare. In the latter case, a physical peculiarity demanded the excessive wand length. However, abnormally short wands usually select those in whose character something is lacking, rather than because they are physically undersized (many small witches and wizards are chosen by longer wands).
Wand flexibility or rigidity denotes the degree of adaptability and willingness to change possessed by the wand-and-owner pair - although, again, this factor ought not to be considered separately from the wand wood, core and length, nor of the owner’s life experience and style of magic, all of which will combine to make the wand in question unique.
Is anyone else immediately struck by the memory of Doloroes Umbridge’s wand at this point? I thought of two things after reading this - first, Hagrid’s “physical peculiarity” resulted in a longer-than-average wand (his was 16 inches before it was snapped by the Ministry, as revealed in Sorcerer’s Stone). And second was Umbridge’s, whose wand is described as shorter than most wands, only 6 or 7 inches long. Something lacking in her personality, indeed!
My wand has phoenix feather core, is eleven inches long and is considered hard. I’m very satisfied with it. I don't have a big personality, I'm fairly shy and reserved, but anyone who knows me knows that I’m hella stubborn and stick to my values like a fly on honey, though I can adapt my mindset and attitude to many situations very well without too many issues.