4/4 Bubinga Rough Sawn Lumber
Direct Kingma listing for Bubinga; inventory, lengths, and widths can rotate by variant.
View optionBubinga Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
Bubinga 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 nameGuibourtia spp., the three principal species are G.
Janka hardness2,410 lbf
Average dried weight56 lb/ft³
Best fitVeneer
Overview
Why choose Bubinga?
Bubinga is a imported specialty hardwood associated with Equatorial Africa. It is useful when the project calls for veneer, inlays, fine furniture, cabinetry, turnings, and other specialty items
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 nameGuibourtia spp., the three principal species are G.
DistributionEquatorial Africa
ShrinkageRadial: 6.0%, Tangential: 8.2%, Volumetric: 13.9%, T/R Ratio: 1.4 More images | Identification
DurabilityRanges from moderately durable to very durable depending upon the the species.
Bubinga colour, grain, and figure
Expect heartwood ranges from a pinkish red to a darker reddish brown with darker purple or black streaks. Sapwood is a pale straw color and is clearly demarcated from the heartwood.
In practical selection, the grain and texture are best treated this way: grain is straight to interlocked. Has a uniform fine to medium texture and moderate natural luster.
Working notes
In the shop, easy to work overall, though depending upon the species bubinga can have silica present, which can prematurely dull cutting edges. Also, on pieces with figured or interlocking grain, tearout can occur during planing or other machining operations.
Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, bubinga has been reported to cause skin irritation and/or skin lesions in some individuals.
Bubinga should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Bubinga
Best projects
Veneer, inlays, fine furniture, cabinetry, turnings, and other 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 Bubinga 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.
8/4 Bubinga Rough Sawn Lumber
Direct Kingma listing for Bubinga; inventory, lengths, and widths can rotate by variant.
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.
Bubinga FAQ
What is Bubinga best used for?
Bubinga is best considered for veneer, inlays, fine furniture, cabinetry, turnings, and other specialty items. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Bubinga 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 Bubinga?
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.