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View optionLimba Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
Limba 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 nameTerminalia superba
Janka hardness670 lbf
Average dried weight35 lb/ft³
Best fitTurned objects
Overview
Why choose Limba?
Limba is an imported specialty hardwood. Its natural range is Tropical western Africa. Common uses include turned objects, electric guitar bodies, furniture, plywood and veneer.
Scientific nameTerminalia superba
DistributionTropical western Africa
ShrinkageRadial: 4.3%, Tangential: 6.3%, Volumetric: 10.8%, T/R Ratio: 1.5 More images | Identification
DurabilityNon-durable, and prone to insect attack.
Limba colour, grain, and figure
The heartwood is light yellowish up to golden brown, sometimes marked with veins and streaks from grey to almost black. Wood with the dark figure is sold as black limba, and plain wood is sold as white limba.
The grain is straight or slightly interlocked, with an evenly coarse texture and a modest natural sheen.
Working notes
It works easily with hand and machine tools. It holds a little silica, but cutters are usually dulled only slightly.
Serious reactions are rare, but limba has caused skin and breathing irritation, hives, asthma-style symptoms, and nose and gum bleeding.
Limba should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Limba
Best projects
Common uses include turned objects, electric guitar bodies, furniture, plywood and veneer.
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 Limba 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.
Limba FAQ
What is Limba best used for?
Common uses include turned objects, electric guitar bodies, furniture, plywood and veneer. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Limba 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 Limba?
The buying section on this page links to any Limba 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.