Sapele rough sawn lumber
Warm reddish-brown alternative with furniture and millwork appeal.
View optionJatoba Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
Jatoba 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 nameHymenaea courbaril
Janka hardness2,690 lbf
Average dried weight57 lb/ft³
Best fitTurned objects
Overview
Why choose Jatoba?
Jatoba is an imported specialty hardwood. Its natural range is Central America, southern Mexico, the West Indies and northern South America. Common uses include turned objects, railroad ties, shipbuilding, tool handles, cabinetry, furniture, flooring, plus other small specialty items.
Scientific nameHymenaea courbaril
DistributionCentral America, southern Mexico, the West Indies and northern South America
ShrinkageRadial: 4.2%, Tangential: 8.0%, Volumetric: 12.1%, T/R Ratio: 1.9
DurabilityVery durable against rot, and it also stands up to termites and the majority of other insects.
Jatoba colour, grain, and figure
The heartwood spans light orangish brown and deeper reddish brown, at times with contrasting darker greyish brown streaks. Light exposure tends to darken it.
The grain is typically interlocked, and the texture is medium to coarse. It has a good natural sheen.
Working notes
Jatoba is hard to work because it is dense and hard, and it dulls cutters moderately. Its interlocked grain also makes clean planing difficult.
Serious reactions are rare, but jatoba has caused skin irritation.
Jatoba should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Jatoba
Best projects
Common uses include turned objects, railroad ties, shipbuilding, tool handles, cabinetry, furniture, flooring, plus 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 Jatoba 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.
Cherry lumber collection
Domestic warm-colour alternative when the customer wants easier sourcing and workability.
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.
Jatoba FAQ
What is Jatoba best used for?
Common uses include turned objects, railroad ties, shipbuilding, tool handles, cabinetry, furniture, flooring, plus other small specialty items. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Jatoba 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 Jatoba?
The buying section on this page links to any Jatoba 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.