Purple Heart rough sawn lumber
Colour-forward exotic alternative for accent strips and specialty pieces.
View optionBloodwood Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
Bloodwood 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 nameBrosimum rubescens (syn.
Janka hardness2,900 lbf
Average dried weight66 lb/ft³
Best fitTurned objects
Overview
Why choose Bloodwood?
Bloodwood is an imported specialty hardwood. Its natural range is Tropical South America. Common uses include turned objects, knife handles, guitars, furniture, inlays, trim and carvings.
Scientific nameBrosimum rubescens (syn.
DistributionTropical South America
ShrinkageRadial: 4.6%, Tangential: 7.0%, Volumetric: 11.7%, T/R Ratio: 1.5
DurabilityVery durable, and it stands up to most insects.
Bloodwood colour, grain, and figure
The heartwood is a vivid, bright red. Light exposure can slowly deepen it to a brownish red.
Grain usually runs straight or slightly interlocked. The texture is fine, with a good natural sheen and some chatoyancy.
Working notes
Extremely dense, bloodwood blunts cutters quickly. It is brittle and splinters easily during work.
The dust is occasionally reported to cause thirst, excess saliva and nausea.
Bloodwood should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Bloodwood
Best projects
Common uses include turned objects, knife handles, guitars, furniture, inlays, trim and carvings.
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 Bloodwood 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.
Bloodwood FAQ
What is Bloodwood best used for?
Common uses include turned objects, knife handles, guitars, furniture, inlays, trim and carvings. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Bloodwood 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 Bloodwood?
The buying section on this page links to any Bloodwood 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.