Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionEkki Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
Ekki 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 nameLophira alata
Janka hardness3,220 lbf
Average dried weight66 lb/ft³
Best fitBridges
Overview
Why choose Ekki?
Ekki is a imported specialty hardwood associated with West Africa. It is useful when the project calls for bridges, boatbuilding, marine applications, decking, and flooring
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 nameLophira alata
DistributionWest Africa
ShrinkageRadial: 8.0%, Tangential: 11.1%, Volumetric: 18.3%, T/R Ratio: 1.4
DurabilityRated as very durable, with good resistance to insect attacks.
Ekki colour, grain, and figure
Expect heartwood is a dark reddish or violet brown. Pores contain light-colored mineral deposits which form small but conspicuous streaks throughout the wood.
In practical selection, the grain and texture are best treated this way: grain is interlocked, with a coarse texture and low natural luster.
Working notes
In the shop, difficult to work on account of its density and interlocked grain, which can cause tearout. Ekki also has a pronounced blunting effect on cutting edges.
Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, Ekki has been reported to cause skin irritation.
Ekki should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Ekki
Best projects
Bridges, boatbuilding, marine applications, decking, and flooring
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 Ekki 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.
Ekki FAQ
What is Ekki best used for?
Ekki is best considered for bridges, boatbuilding, marine applications, decking, and flooring. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Ekki 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 Ekki?
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.