Exotic Hardwood - Ebony Gabon

Availability

• Select & Better: 4/4, 8/4

Janka Hardness

• 3220 lbf (pounds force)

Basic Specific Gravity (oven dry weight/ green volume)

• .90

Location

• Tropical West Africa.

Description

• Heartwood is a uniform jet black with some streaks of gray or brown sometimes being present. Sapwood is pinkish in color when freshly cut, eventually darkening to a pale reddish brown. Texture is very fine with small pores. The grain can be straight or interlocked.

How well does it work?

• The heartwood of Ebony is difficult to work with hand or machine tools and  will have a severe blunting effect on cutting edges. Tear-out can occur if planing pieces with interlocked grain. Gluing can range from good to difficult depending on the amount of oil present in the wood. It is highly recommended to pre-drill before nailing and screwing. Ebony finishes and polishes very well.

Seasoning and Durability

• Heartwood is very durable and is moderately and highly resistant to termite attack.

Other notes on Ebony

• Ebony sold by Downes & Reader is an air-dried product that has been incased in wax to prevent checking. Ebony is among one of the most expensive lumbers available. Other names for this particular species of Ebony is African Ebony and Gabon Ebony. It is not the sames species as Macassar Ebony, but they do share the same genus name.

Toxicity

• Ebony has been reported as a sensitizer, but severe reactions are considered uncommon. Usual reactions are eye and skin irritation.

Common Uses

• Inlays, musical instrument parts, carvings, handles, and other specialty items.