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 fitPool cues
Overview
Why choose Gaboon Ebony?
Gaboon Ebony is an imported specialty hardwood. Grows in equatorial West Africa. Common uses include pool cues, carvings, musical instrument parts, piano keys and other small ornamental or specialty items.
Scientific nameDiospyros crassiflora
DistributionGrows in equatorial West Africa
ShrinkageRadial: 8.3%, Tangential: 11.2%, Volumetric: 19.6%, T/R Ratio: 1.3
DurabilityVery durable wood with good resistance against insects such as termites.
Gaboon Ebony colour, grain, and figure
Heartwood is typically jet black with little variation and almost no visible grain; occasional dark brown or greyish brown streaks may show.
Grain is usually straight, though it can be interlocked. Texture is fine and even, and natural luster is very high.
Working notes
Its extreme density makes it hard to work, and it dulls cutters.
Ebonies in the Diospyros genus are reported sensitizers, although severe reactions are rare.
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
Common uses include pool cues, carvings, musical instrument parts, piano keys and other small ornamental or 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?
Common uses include pool cues, carvings, musical instrument parts, piano keys and other small ornamental or 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?
The buying section on this page links to any Gaboon Ebony 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.