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Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionAfzelia Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
Afzelia 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 nameAfzelia spp.
Janka hardness1,810 lbf
Average dried weight50.1 lb/ft³
Best fitInlays
Overview
Why choose Afzelia?
Afzelia is an imported specialty hardwood. Its natural range is Tropical Africa, with other species also found in Asia. Common uses include inlays, turned objects, boatbuilding, docks, exterior millwork and construction, flooring, cabinetry, furniture, veneer and other small specialty items.
Scientific nameAfzelia spp.
DistributionTropical Africa, with other species also found in Asia
ShrinkageRadial: 2.3%, Tangential: 3.9%, Volumetric: 6.3%, T/R Ratio: 1.7 More images | Identification
DurabilityRated very durable.
Afzelia colour, grain, and figure
The heartwood is reddish brown, with a well defined sapwood that is pale yellowish white.
The grain is interlocked and the texture is uniform, medium to coarse. The wood has a natural luster.
Working notes
Interlocked grain makes it somewhat difficult to work and causes tearout in machining. It also dulls cutters noticeably.
Afzelia is reported to irritate the skin, eyes and airways and to provoke sneezing, although severe reactions are rare.
Afzelia should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Afzelia
Best projects
Common uses include inlays, turned objects, boatbuilding, docks, exterior millwork and construction, flooring, cabinetry, furniture, veneer and other small specialty 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 Afzelia 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.
Live edge slabs
Use when the customer cares more about slab format and visual impact than this exact species.
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.
Afzelia FAQ
What is Afzelia best used for?
Common uses include inlays, turned objects, boatbuilding, docks, exterior millwork and construction, flooring, cabinetry, furniture, veneer and other small specialty items. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Afzelia 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 Afzelia?
The buying section on this page links to any Afzelia 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.