Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionBlackheart Sassafras Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
Blackheart Sassafras 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 nameAtherosperma moschatum
Janka hardness1,090 lbf
Average dried weight39 lb/ft³
Best fitCabinetry
Overview
Why choose Blackheart Sassafras?
Blackheart Sassafras is a imported specialty hardwood associated with Australia. It is useful when the project calls for cabinetry, furniture, flooring, musical instruments, carvings, 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 nameAtherosperma moschatum
DistributionAustralia
ShrinkageRadial: 2.5%, Tangential: 6.3%, Volumetric: 8.9%, T/R Ratio: 2.5
DurabilityRated as non-durable to perishable.
Blackheart Sassafras colour, grain, and figure
Expect heartwood is naturally a gray to golden grown. Some trees are infected with a staining fungus which causes colorful streaks and veins of dark brown and black, giving rise to the common name Blackheart Sassafras.
In practical selection, the grain and texture are best treated this way: grain is straight, with a uniform fine to medium texture. Low natural luster.
Working notes
In the shop, easy to work with both hand and machine tools. Responds well to steam-bending operations, with little spring-back.
Besides the standard health risks associated with any type of wood dust, no further health reactions have been associated with Blackheart Sassafras.
Blackheart Sassafras should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Blackheart Sassafras
Best projects
Cabinetry, furniture, flooring, musical instruments, carvings, 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 Blackheart Sassafras 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.
Blackheart Sassafras FAQ
What is Blackheart Sassafras best used for?
Blackheart Sassafras is best considered for cabinetry, furniture, flooring, musical instruments, carvings, and turned objects. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Blackheart Sassafras 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 Blackheart Sassafras?
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.