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Ziricote is one of the most popular, visually striking exotic woods in the world. Renowned for its "landscape" or "spiderweb" grain patterns, its colors range from medium to dark shades of brown (occasionally with either a green or purplish tint), and are accentuated by intermingled bands of unpredictable, irregular black growth rings. Sapwood is easily distinguishable by its dull off-white to pale yellow hue.Although it is a fairly dense wood, its typical straight (though sometimes slightly interlocked) grains and fine to medium-fine texture give it cooperative working properties, as it cuts, turns, glues and finishes smoothly.Ziricote is a close relative (and neighbor) of Bocote, with both being Central American woods of the Cordia genus. Its radical, often-dramatic grain patterns have given the wood somewhat of an 'elite' status among international exotic woods enthusiasts.¬† While it has never been an inexpensive wood, recent revelations of epidemic poaching across Mexico have resulted in a greatly reduced supply and sharp price increases on wholesale and retails levels.Unless action is taken to stem the tide (of poaching), Ziricote and other Central American woods could very well be the subject of actions from CITES in the very near future.¬† Interestingly, the bark of the Cordia dodecandra tree and the wood have medicinal properties: the tea which is derived from their infusion is used in traditional medicine in Mexico, to treat coughs, diarrhea and dysentery.

cabinetry, flooring, furniture, gun stocks, joinery, lutherie, musical Instruments, specialty items, trim, turnings, veneer

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Shedua

A cousin of the more popular and well-known African tonewood, Bubinga, Ovangkol/Shedua is a softer wood (of similar weight and density) with handsome, yet greatly varying aesthetics. Its heartwood color can range anywhere from a light to medium yellow, to a light orange- or reddish-brown, usually highlighted by darker brown or black striping. Its unmistakable sapwood is pale yellow in color.

Its grains can be straight, wavy or interlocked, with generally a medium texture and nice natural luster (due in part to a somewhat high silica content). It is a tough, durable wood, usually possessing fairly cooperative working properties -- although its silica content can gum up blades and cutting tools, and there can be tearout issues with boards with interlocking grain patterns. Shedua turns, glues and finishes quite well.

cabinetry, flooring, furniture, trim, turnings, veneer

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Padauk - African

African Paduak is a very strong, stable hardwood. It is known for its typically robust reddish-brown coloration (which darkens with age), although colors can range from a bright orange to a slightly muted burgundy often with highlights, grain lines and/or secondary colors ranging from brick red to a more purplish muted hue. The wood can sometimes be found figured (ribbon; striped; etc.), and it is well known for its deep chatoyance and wonderful natural luster. Grains are typically straight, though sometimes interlocked.The wood is considered very durable and also resistant to bug / insect / termite attack, which accordingly has seen it used in outdoor applications for centuries in its native Africa. Its working and finishing characteristics are decidedly favorable.

flooring, furniture, handles, specialty items, trim, turnings, utility lumber, veneer

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Panga Panga

Panga Panga is the first cousin to Africa's more popular and well-known exotic, Wenge (with both trees being of the Millettia genus) -- sharing a similar large pored, course texture, and presenting some of the same challenges when working. It is generally a bit lighter colored, with heartwood ranging from the lighter to darkers sides of medium brown, with dark brown to black streaks and/or highlighted grain lines. Darker examples can be easily confused with Wenge, and they have been known to turn almost black as they age.

fine furniture, flooring, paneling, specialty items, trim, turnings, veneer

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Rosewood - Madagascan

Madagascar Rosewood is a very popular wood with both acoustic and electric guitar luthiers (especially the former), as well as furniture craftsmen, despite being a wood that has been difficult to acquire in the US for the bulk of this new millennium. Depending on the specific species, heartwood colors can range anywhere from a pale yellowish-brown to orangish-red to deep burgundy to a chocolate brown, typically highlighted by bold black ink lines and secondary hues. Its straight grains and medium texture generally make for excellent working properties, despite its considerable hardness and density; its cuts, turns and finishes beautifully, with a nice natural luster.

The wood typically has a high natural oil content, which can make gluing challenging.

boatbuilding, cabinetry, carving, flooring, furniture, inlay, specialty items, trim, turnings, veneer

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Bloodwood

Also known as "Satine," Bloodwood is an exotic South American import that continues to grow in popularity here in the states. It's dark, savory red tones, untypically do not fade, mute or darken much over time. It is known for its "satiny," highly-chatoyant finish. While the heartwood typically is comprised of red hues, it is known to have variances ranging from oranges to pale yellows, interspersed. It's impressive density makes it ideal for an electric guitar fretboard or an acoustic guitar back and sides; wood turners love it, as well, for its fabulous, unique aesthetics and very reasonable price.

carving, furniture, inlay, knife handles, lutherie, trim, turnings

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Ofram

Ofram has been an historically important wood in Africa, sue, in part, to its universal popularity. Although its population was considered threaten, from overexpolitation in the first half of the 20th century, a concerted effort was made -- a most successful one -- to preserve the species and expand its natural range, through numerous regional and national efforts made from the '50's through the '70's, all over West and Central Africa.Ofram has a characteristic light base color, ranging from a pale yellow to a light golden brown, to a pale tan -- and sometimes muted to the point of having a greyish appearance. It often has dark brown or black overlapping highlights (as well as lighter colored patches, occasionally, ranging from yellow to orange), which is what distinguishes White Ofram (also called "Korina") from Black Ofram (same wood / same species; just differing aesthetics). Its sap is only slightly lighter in color than its heart and can sometimes be difficult to discern.Despite its medium to coarse texture and a small silica content, its typically straight grains (those sometimes irregular or interlocked) and modest hardness and density make it generally quite easy to work. Its glues and finishes well (with a moderate natural luster); its base color takes on a more golden tone under a clear lacquer finish. It is considered neither a tough or durable wood, so such finishing is recommended.

furniture, laminates, musical Instruments, table tennis paddles, trim, turnings, veneer

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Lenga

Lenga comes from the Southern Andes, Chile and Argentina. It is similar in many respects to American Cherry, it is easily worked and finished, albeit slightly lighter in colour.

boxes, furniture, specialty wood items, trim, veneer

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Ironwood - Black

The Ironwood tree grows mainly in the Tsitsikamma forests around Knysna. With a Janka hardness of over 13000N, it can be a difficult timber to work, but it is very durable and extremely strong. It can be prone to cracking and splitting and pre-drilling is recommended when nailing or screwing. The variegated colour resembles Wild Olive (it comes from the same genus) somewhat and provides for stunning finished pieces.

boxes, crates, plywood, specialty wood items, trim, turned objects, veneer

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Igem

This species from the Philippines is from the same genus as our South African Yellowwood (Podocarpus latifolius) and shares many of the same characteristics of said species. It is pale yellow and easy to work. It would make a wonderful floor or gorgeous ceiling, but we wouldn't recommend it for a high traffic area due to its lack of durability.

boxes, crates, plywood, specialty wood items, trim, turned objects, veneer

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Cherry - European

Sweet Cherry is one of the premier European furniture timbers. In theory it grows all over Europe and Great Britain, but can at times be difficult to source. It is easy to machine and work with but can be a bit difficult to stain, as results can be a bit blotchy. It bends well with steam and turns and carves well.

carving, furniture, specialty wood items, trim, turned objects, veneer

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Abura

This light coloured timber from Tropical West Africa is used for interior work only, mainly shopfitting, but could be used for flooring, furniture etc. Not a structural timber due to its low density and lack of durability.

boxes, crates, plywood, small specialty wood items., trim, turned objects, veneer

M3	LENGTH	THICKNESS	TOTAL WIDTH	+- PCS
0.1	2.45	26mm	1570mm	9-12
0.1	2.45	38mm	1075mm	6-9
0.1	2.45	50mm	816mm	4-7

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Free shipping within South Africa on all orders over R1,000 placed through our online shop*

- Huge stocks of exotic timber from the four corners of the earth

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