Purple Heart rough sawn lumber
Colour-forward exotic alternative for accent strips and specialty pieces.
View optionAfrican Padauk Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
African Padauk is best understood by how it looks, how it works, and where it should be used. This guide explains the practical buying details before sending you to the right Kingma products.
Scientific namePterocarpus soyauxii
Janka hardness1,710 lbf
Average dried weight46.5 lb/ft³
Best fitTool handles
Overview
Why choose African Padauk?
African Padauk is an imported specialty hardwood. Its natural range is Central and western tropical Africa. Common uses include tool handles, furniture, musical instruments, turned objects, flooring, veneer, plus other small specialty wood items.
Scientific namePterocarpus soyauxii
DistributionCentral and western tropical Africa
ShrinkageRadial: 3.1%, Tangential: 5.0%, Volumetric: 7.9%, T/R Ratio: 1.6 More images | Identification
DurabilityExcellent decay resistance, rated durable to very durable.
African Padauk colour, grain, and figure
The heartwood colour varies, spanning pale pinkish orange and deep brownish red. Freshly cut, most pieces begin as a vibrant reddish orange and darken considerably to a reddish or purplish brown. Some lighter pieces age to a greyish brown.
Grain usually runs straight but sometimes interlocked. The texture is coarse and open, with a good natural sheen.
Working notes
Overall, padauk works easily, although quartersawn or interlocked grain may tear out when planed. It turns and glues well.
Serious reactions are rare, but padauk is a known sensitizer in some people.
African Padauk should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for African Padauk
Best projects
Common uses include tool handles, furniture, musical instruments, turned objects, flooring, veneer, plus other small specialty wood items.
Use caution
Avoid specifying it by name alone; confirm board size, moisture, colour, figure, and the project environment before buying.
Finish strategy
Test finishes on offcuts first, especially when colour, blotching, outdoor exposure, or grain filling matters.
Buying note
Choose boards, slabs, plywood, blanks, or posts based on the project rather than species name alone.
Shop path
Buying African Padauk from Kingma
Start with the direct species match when Kingma sells it. If stock rotates, use the closest live collection or a clearly explained alternative.
Sapele rough sawn lumber
Warm exotic alternative when bold colour is less important than furniture usefulness.
View optionSimilar woods and alternatives
If Kingma does not have an exact match online, use the buying links below as practical alternatives only when the colour, grain, hardness, or project environment makes sense.
African Padauk FAQ
What is African Padauk best used for?
Common uses include tool handles, furniture, musical instruments, turned objects, flooring, veneer, plus other small specialty wood items. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is African Padauk beginner friendly?
It depends on density, grain direction, and tooling. Test cuts on offcuts first, and choose Maple, Cherry, Walnut, or Poplar when easier machining is the priority.
Does Kingma sell African Padauk?
The buying section on this page links to any African Padauk Kingma has in stock and to the closest alternatives. Stock changes often, so call (780) 229-7681 or visit the yard at 4607 91 Ave NW, Edmonton to check what is in today.