Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionIpe Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
Ipe 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 nameHandroanthus serratifolius, along with H.
Janka hardness3,490 lbf
Average dried weight65.5 lb/ft³
Best fitTool handles
Overview
Why choose Ipe?
Ipe is an imported specialty hardwood. Its natural range is Tropical South and Central America, with Brazil supplying over 90% of the export volume. Common uses include tool handles, veneer, exterior lumber, decking, flooring, plus other turned objects.
Scientific nameHandroanthus serratifolius, along with H.
DistributionTropical South and Central America, with Brazil supplying over 90% of the export volume
ShrinkageRadial: 5.5%, Tangential: 7.1%, Volumetric: 12.4%, T/R Ratio: 1.3 More images | Identification
DurabilityVery durable, with excellent resistance to insects.
Ipe colour, grain, and figure
Heartwood colour spans reddish brown, olive-tinged yellow-brown and darker blackish brown, and some boards have contrasting stripes in dark brown or black. It can look much like cumaru (Dipteryx odorata).
The texture is fine to medium. The grain may be straight, irregular or interlocked, and the sheen is modest.
Working notes
Ipe is hard to work because it is extremely hard and dense, and it resists the saw strongly. It also blunts cutting edges quickly.
Ipe contains lapachol, plus related compounds (lapachenole and deoxylapachol), that have produced strong skin irritation in observations.
Ipe should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Ipe
Best projects
Common uses include tool handles, veneer, exterior lumber, decking, flooring, plus other turned objects.
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 Ipe 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.
Ipe FAQ
What is Ipe best used for?
Common uses include tool handles, veneer, exterior lumber, decking, flooring, plus other turned objects. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Ipe 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 Ipe?
The buying section on this page links to any Ipe 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.