SPECIFIC GRAVITY:   1.2

DENSITY:   75 to 83 pcf

TANGENTIAL MOVEMENT:  

RADIAL MOVEMENT:  

VOLUMETRIC SHRINKAGE:   7.60%

DURABILITY:   Very good

SOURCE:   East Africa

DESCRIPTION:   This dark colored wood appears black due to the many black streaks that run through it. It is a very hard, heavy and dense wood with a generally straight grain. It is difficult to work due to its resistance to cutting edges, and it gives an extreme blunting effect. Necessary to use a stellite or tungsten carbide-tipped saw. Tends to rise on cutters during machining. Slightly oily texture. Excellent to finish. Used for woodwind and other musical instruments, ornamental turnery, figure carving, walking sticks, knife handles, brushbacks, pulley blocks, bearings and slides, and inlays.