There are more than 100,000 types of wood in the world, each type of wood has its own grain, color and parameters. In this article, I will write about the top 10 types of exotic wood that you should explore, there are even types of wood that will surprise you with their uniqueness and strangeness.
If you are looking for new ideas, materials for your project or simply want to expand your knowledge about wood, follow the list of 10 types of wood below.
Table of Contents
African Blackwood
A rare wood species renowned for its deep black color and incredibly fine grain, African Blackwood reigns supreme in the realm of woodwind instruments. Its exceptional tonal qualities make it the go-to choice for clarinets, oboes, and even African instruments like the كاليمبا (kalimba).
Information about African Blackwood:
| Height | 20 -30 ft (6-9 m) |
| Diameter | 2-3 ft (0.6-1.0 m) |
| Color | The exterior is coated with a thin layer of pale yellow wood, clearly demarcated from the darker section. Meanwhile, the center typically appears black, occasionally featuring dark brown or purple tones |
| Structure | High natural shine |
| Durability | Long-lasting, unable to move or deform, and only mediocrely resistant to borers and insects |
| Hardness | 3,670 lbf |
| Odor | Mild aroma |
| Application | Musical instruments that utilize mechanisms in motion and handgrips, such as clarinets and guitars. |
Zebrawood
True to its name, Zebrawood boasts a mesmerizing display of dark,unique wood grain patterns that resemble a zebra’s coat. Sourced from West Africa, this exotic wood adds a touch of the wild to furniture, cabinetry, and decorative items.
Information about Zebrawood:
| Height | 65-130 ft (20-40 m) |
| Diameter | 4-5 ft (1.2-1.5 m) |
| Color | Light brown or cream tones with dark blackish brown streaks, akin to zebra stripes |
| Structure | Has a fairly coarse texture and open pores. Grain is usually wavy or interlocked. |
| Durability | Durable and resistant to insect damage. |
| Hardness | 1,830 lbf |
| Odor | characteristic, unpleasant smell |
| Application | Quartersawn and veneer. Other applications comprise tool grips, furnishings, ship construction, and skiing equipment |
Rosewood
Rosewood encompasses a variety of species, each prized for its rich reddish-brown hues and distinctive grain patterns. Rosewood’s exceptional density and durability make it ideal for furniture, musical instruments, and intricate carvings. However, it’s important to be aware of regulations concerning certain Rosewood varieties due to conservation efforts.
Information about Rosewood:
| Height | 100-130 ft (30-40 m) |
| Diameter | 3-4 ft (1-1.2 m) |
| Color | Rich dark brown with darker streaks, resembling deep chocolate hues |
| Structure | Exhibits a smooth texture with tightly packed pores. The typical grain pattern is straight, though occasionally it may display interlocking. |
| Durability | Highly durable and naturally resistant to insect damage and decay |
| Hardness | 2,440 lbf |
| Odor | Distinctive, pleasant aroma |
| Application | Primarily used in high-end furniture making, musical instruments (particularly guitars), luxury flooring, and decorative veneers |
Makore Wood
Often referred to as African Cherry, Makore offers a warm and inviting color palette that ranges from golden brown to reddish-brown with streaks of black. This versatile wood is favored for furniture, veneer work, and even flooring due to its good workability and beautiful finish.
Information about Makore wood:
| Height | 180-200 ft (55-60 m) tall |
| Diameter | 4-6 ft (1.2-1.8 m) |
| Color | Pink or reddish-brown hues, occasionally accented by streaks of subtle color variation |
| Structure | Features a moderately coarse texture with open pores. The grain generally runs straight, but occasional instances of interlocking can be observed |
| Durability | Highly durable and resistant to insect damage |
| Hardness | 1,200 lbf |
| Odor | Mild, pleasant scent |
| Application | Veneer, plywood, furniture, cabinetry, flooring, boat crafting, musical instruments, turned pieces, and assorted small wooden specialty articles |
Wenge Wood
Dramatic and sophisticated, Wenge is an African wood known for its deep, almost black color offset by subtle streaks of brown. Its high density makes it incredibly durable, perfect for long-lasting furniture pieces, architectural elements, and even boat building.
Information about Wenge wood:
| Height | 65-130 ft (20-40 m) |
| Diameter | 4-5 ft (1.2-1.5 m) |
| Color | Light brown or cream tones with dark blackish brown streaks, akin to zebra stripes |
| Structure | Has a fairly coarse texture and open pores. Grain is usually wavy or interlocked. |
| Durability | Durable and resistant to insect damage. |
| Hardness | 1,830 lbf |
| Odor | characteristic, unpleasant smell |
| Application | Quartersawn and veneer. Other applications comprise tool grips, furnishings, ship construction, and skiing equipment |
Sapele Wood
Often used as a substitute for Mahogany due to its similar appearance, Sapele boasts a rich reddish-brown color with a beautiful grain pattern. This readily available and affordable exotic wood is popular for furniture, cabinetry, and even boat interiors due to its good workability and stability.
Information about Sapele wood:
| Height | 100-150 ft (30-45 m) |
| Diameter | 3-5 ft (1-1.5 m) |
| Color | Heartwood is a golden to dark reddish brown. Color tends to darken with age |
| Structure | The grain exhibits interlocking patterns and occasional waves. It possesses a smooth and consistent texture with a pleasing natural sheen |
| Durability | Ranges from moderate durability to high durability when it comes to resisting decay. It offers moderate resistance against insects and borers. |
| Hardness | 1,360 lbf |
| Odor | Distinct, cedar-like scent |
| Application | Veneer, plywood, furnishings, cabinetry, flooring, boat construction, musical instruments, crafted items, and various other wooden specialty products. |
Purple Heart Wood
A unique color wood species that live up to the name with Purple Heart! This South American wood starts out a brownish-gray but matures to a stunning reddish-purple hue with time. Its exceptional hardness makes it ideal for durable items like tool handles, flooring, and specialty furniture.
Information about Purple Heart wood:
| Height | 100-170 ft (30-50 m) |
| Diameter | 3-5 ft (1-1.5 m) |
| Color | Dull grayish/purplish brown when freshly cut and becomes a deeper eggplant purple upon exposure |
| Structure | Typically linear, yet occasionally exhibiting undulating or irregular patterns. Good natural luster with medium texture with. |
| Durability | Durable, and resists both decay and most insect attacks |
| Hardness | 2,520 lbf |
| Odor | No characteristic odor, |
| Application | Decorative inserts or accent components, flooring materials, furnishings, marine vessel construction, robust architectural projects, and an array of specialized wooden goods. |
Ipe Wood
From South America comes Ipe, a champion of durability. Renowned for its exceptional resistance to rot, wear, and weather, Ipe is the king of exterior applications like decking, outdoor furniture, and even boat building.
Information about Ipe wood
| Height | 100-130 ft (30-40 m) |
| Diameter | 2-4 ft (.6-1.2 m) |
| Color | Ranges in hue from reddish-brown to a warmer, yellow-olive brown or deeper blackish-brown, occasionally featuring contrasting darker stripes or patterns in brown or black |
| Structure | Possesses a fine to medium texture, with grain patterns ranging from straight to irregular or interlocked |
| Durability | Highly resilient, boasting exceptional resistance to insects; however, certain varieties may be vulnerable to marine borers |
| Hardness | 3,510 lbf |
| Odor | mild scent while being worked |
| Application | Utilized for flooring, decking, exterior structural components, veneer, tool handles, and various turned objects. |
Lignum Vitae Wood
Nicknamed “ironwood” for a reason, Lignum Vitae is one of the densest woods in the world. This incredibly heavy and strong wood is favored for applications that require immense durability, such as bowling pins, mallets, and bearings.
Information about Lignum Vitae wood:
| Height | 65-130 ft (20-40 m) |
| Diameter | 4-5 ft (1.2-1.5 m) |
| Color | Light brown or cream tones with dark blackish brown streaks, akin to zebra stripes |
| Structure | Has a fairly coarse texture and open pores. Grain is usually wavy or interlocked. |
| Durability | Durable and resistant to insect damage. |
| Hardness | 1,830 lbf |
| Odor | characteristic, unpleasant smell |
| Application | Quartersawn and veneer. Other applications comprise tool grips, furnishings, ship construction, and skiing equipment. |
Pink Ivory Wood
Looking for something truly unique? Pink Ivory, also known as Pau Ferro, is an endangered wood prized for its captivating reddish-pink to purple hues. Due to its rarity, it’s most commonly used for small, specialty items like knife handles and musical instruments.
Information about Pink Ivory wood:
| Height | 65-130 ft (20-40 m) |
| Diameter | 4-5 ft (1.2-1.5 m) |
| Color | Ranges in color from a pale brownish pink to a vivid, almost neon pink, and can extend to a deep red hue |
| Structure | The grain typically ranges from straight to interlocked, showcasing a fine, uniform texture with a notable natural shine. |
| Durability | Very durable decay resistance; excellent weathering characteristics |
| Hardness | 3,230 lbf |
| Odor | Emits a noticeable and somewhat unpleasant scent during processing. |
| Application | Utilized in carving, veneer crafting, inlay work, knife handle construction, billiard cue production, crafting chess pieces, and various other turned object applications |
For those interested in further information about wood or seeking to import African wood, please contact K-Timber. Being one of the leading suppliers of African wood since 1996, K-Timber has imported to over 30 countries. With nearly 30 years of experience, our team of wood experts is equipped to provide guidance on the right types of Angola wood for various needs.
You can contact us at:
- VIETNAM (K-TIMBER): 169 Nguyen Ngoc Vu street, Cau Giay District, Hanoi.
- ANGOLA (HATC WOOD AFRICAN): Av. Pedro de Castro Van-Dúnem Loy, Luanda, Angola.
- Phone: (+84) 85 555 5304
- Email: [email protected]
