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View optionArgentine Lignum Vitae Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
Argentine Lignum Vitae 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 namePlectrocarpa sarmientoi (formerly placed in the Bulnesia genus; see comments below )
Janka hardness3,870 lbf
Average dried weight74.9 lb/ft³
Best fitTool handles
Overview
Why choose Argentine Lignum Vitae?
Argentine Lignum Vitae is a imported specialty hardwood associated with Gran Chaco region of South America (much commercial lumber comes from Argentina). It is useful when the project calls for tool handles, mallet heads, bearings, bushings, boatbuilding, pulley wheels, heavy construction (in areas where the tree grows locally), and turned objects
For SEO and customer usefulness, this page separates the science from the buying decision: appearance, working behaviour, durability, project fit, and then the right Kingma shopping path.
Scientific namePlectrocarpa sarmientoi (formerly placed in the Bulnesia genus; see comments below )
DistributionGran Chaco region of South America (much commercial lumber comes from Argentina)
ShrinkageRadial: 4.8%, Tangential: 7.8%, Volumetric: 12.0%, T/R Ratio: 1.6 More images | Identification
DurabilityReported to be very durable for outdoor use—the related Plectrocarpa arborea is said to last “indefinitely.” [1] Chudnoff, M.
Argentine Lignum Vitae colour, grain, and figure
Expect heartwood color can range from pale yellowish olive to a deeper forest green or dark brown. The color tends to darken with age, especially upon exposure to light (see light-change color photo below ).
In practical selection, the grain and texture are best treated this way: grain is usually interlocked. Fine even texture with very high natural luster.
Working notes
In the shop, argentine lignum vitae has a tendency to skip over-top jointer cutters on account of its extremely high density, and very light passes are recommended. It will also dull cutters, and overall it’s considered quite difficult to work.
While there are currently no reports on this exact species, sawdust from the closely related Plectrocarpa arborea has been reported to cause sneezing, and lignum vitae (also in the Zygophyllaceae family) has been reported to cause skin irritation.
Argentine Lignum Vitae should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Argentine Lignum Vitae
Best projects
Tool handles, mallet heads, bearings, bushings, boatbuilding, pulley wheels, heavy construction (in areas where the tree grows locally), and turned objects
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 Argentine Lignum Vitae 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.
Argentine Lignum Vitae FAQ
What is Argentine Lignum Vitae best used for?
Argentine Lignum Vitae is best considered for tool handles, mallet heads, bearings, bushings, boatbuilding, pulley wheels, heavy construction (in areas where the tree grows locally), and turned objects. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Argentine Lignum Vitae 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 Argentine Lignum Vitae?
Use the buying section on this page. If an exact product is not listed, the linked alternatives are included only when they make practical sense for colour, grain, or project use.