Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionBulletwood Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
Bulletwood 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 nameManilkara bidentata
Janka hardness3,130 lbf
Average dried weight67 lb/ft³
Best fitTurned objects
Overview
Why choose Bulletwood?
Bulletwood is an imported specialty hardwood. Its natural range is Caribbean, Central America and South America. Common uses include turned objects, bent parts, boatbuilding, flooring, decking and heavy construction in its natural range.
Scientific nameManilkara bidentata
DistributionCaribbean, Central America and South America
ShrinkageRadial: 6.7%, Tangential: 9.4%, Volumetric: 16.8%, T/R Ratio: 1.4
DurabilityRated very durable, and it resists most insect attack well.
Bulletwood colour, grain, and figure
The heartwood is a reddish brown, mid to dark in tone, and it darkens with age.
Grain runs straight, interlocked or wavy. Texture is fine and even with low natural luster.
Working notes
It is dense, yet hand and machine tools generally give good results, although it dulls cutters faster than average. It steam bends well.
Serious reactions are rare, but skin irritation has been reported from bulletwood.
Bulletwood should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Bulletwood
Best projects
Common uses include turned objects, bent parts, boatbuilding, flooring, decking and heavy construction in its natural range.
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 Bulletwood 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.
Bulletwood FAQ
What is Bulletwood best used for?
Common uses include turned objects, bent parts, boatbuilding, flooring, decking and heavy construction in its natural range. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Bulletwood 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 Bulletwood?
The buying section on this page links to any Bulletwood 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.