4/4 Makassar Ebony Rough Sawn Lumber
Direct Kingma listing for Gaboon Ebony; inventory, lengths, and widths can rotate by variant.
View optionGaboon Ebony Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
Gaboon Ebony 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 nameDiospyros crassiflora
Janka hardness3,080 lbf
Average dried weight60 lb/ft³
Best fitSmall/ornamental items
Overview
Why choose Gaboon Ebony?
Gaboon Ebony is a imported specialty hardwood associated with Equatorial West Africa. It is useful when the project calls for small/ornamental items, such as piano keys, musical instrument parts, pool cues, carvings, and other small 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 nameDiospyros crassiflora
DistributionEquatorial West Africa
ShrinkageRadial: 8.3%, Tangential: 11.2%, Volumetric: 19.6%, T/R Ratio: 1.3
DurabilityEbony is rated as being very durable, with good resistance to termites and other insects.
Gaboon Ebony colour, grain, and figure
Expect heartwood is usually jet-black, with little to no variation or visible grain. Occasionally dark brown or grayish-brown streaks may be present.
In practical selection, the grain and texture are best treated this way: grain is usually straight but can also be interlocked. Fine even texture with very high natural luster.
Working notes
In the shop, can be difficult to work due to its extremely high density. Has a dulling effect on cutters.
Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, Ebony in the Diospyros genus has been reported as a sensitizer .
Gaboon Ebony should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Gaboon Ebony
Best projects
Small/ornamental items, such as piano keys, musical instrument parts, pool cues, carvings, and other small 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 Gaboon Ebony 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.
Wenge rough sawn lumber
Dark exotic alternative for accent parts and premium contrast.
View optionWalnut lumber collection
Practical dark premium alternative when the project needs easier machining.
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.
Gaboon Ebony FAQ
What is Gaboon Ebony best used for?
Gaboon Ebony is best considered for small/ornamental items, such as piano keys, musical instrument parts, pool cues, carvings, and other small specialty items. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Gaboon Ebony 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 Gaboon Ebony?
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.