Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionEast Indian satinwood Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Domestic hardwood species
East Indian satinwood 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 nameChloroxylon swietenia
Janka hardness2,600 lbf
Average dried weight60.7 lb/ft³
Best fitOther small specialty items
Overview
Why choose East Indian satinwood?
East Indian satinwood is a domestic hardwood species. Its natural range is Central and southern India plus Sri Lanka, once called Ceylon. Common uses include other small specialty items, turned objects, fine furniture, inlays and veneer.
Scientific nameChloroxylon swietenia
DistributionCentral and southern India plus Sri Lanka, once called Ceylon
ShrinkageRadial: 5.6%, Tangential: 7.8%, Volumetric: 13.6%, T/R Ratio: 1.4 More images | Identification
DurabilityDecay resistance is rated very durable, but the wood is prone to insect attack.
East Indian satinwood colour, grain, and figure
The heartwood goes from a light or golden yellow to an orangish brown. The whitish yellow sapwood is usually paler, though the boundary with the heartwood is not always clear.
The grain is interlocked, giving an attractive mottled figure, plus roey or striped figure on quartersawn faces. The texture is fine and uniform, and the natural luster is very high.
Working notes
Dense wood and interlocked grain make it difficult to work. Surfacing and planing mostly lead to tearout, particularly on quartersawn faces.
Reports describe East Indian satinwood as a sensitizer, though serious reactions are rare.
East Indian satinwood should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for East Indian satinwood
Best projects
Common uses include other small specialty items, turned objects, fine furniture, inlays and veneer.
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 East Indian satinwood 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.
East Indian satinwood FAQ
What is East Indian satinwood best used for?
Common uses include other small specialty items, turned objects, fine furniture, inlays and veneer. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is East Indian satinwood 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 East Indian satinwood?
The buying section on this page links to any East Indian satinwood 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.