Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionMakore Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
Makore 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 nameTieghemella heckelii (and T.
Janka hardness1,200 lbf
Average dried weight42.9 lb/ft³
Best fitVeneer
Overview
Why choose Makore?
Makore is a imported specialty hardwood associated with Western and Middle Africa (from Sierra Leone to Gabon). It is useful when the project calls for veneer, plywood, furniture, cabinetry, flooring, boatbuilding, musical instruments, turned objects, and other small wooden 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 nameTieghemella heckelii (and T.
DistributionWestern and Middle Africa (from Sierra Leone to Gabon)
ShrinkageRadial: 5.5%, Tangential: 7.7% · Volumetric: 12.4%, T/R Ratio: 1.4
DurabilityHeartwood is very durable, and is also resistant to insect attack.
Makore colour, grain, and figure
Expect heartwood pink or reddish brown, sometimes with streaks of mild color variation. Yellowish sapwood can be two to three inches wide, and is clearly demarcated from the heartwood.
In practical selection, the grain and texture are best treated this way: grain generally straight, though interlocked or wavy grain is sometimes present. Fine, even texture with good natural luster.
Working notes
In the shop, generally easy to work, though sections with interlocked grain can cause tearout during planing or other machining operations. Makore will react when put into direct contact with iron, becoming discolored and stained.
Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, makore has been reported to cause eye, throat, and skin irritation, as well as headache, giddiness, and central nervous system and blood effects.
Makore should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Makore
Best projects
Veneer, plywood, furniture, cabinetry, flooring, boatbuilding, musical instruments, turned objects, and other small wooden 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 Makore 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.
Makore FAQ
What is Makore best used for?
Makore is best considered for veneer, plywood, furniture, cabinetry, flooring, boatbuilding, musical instruments, turned objects, and other small wooden specialty items. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Makore 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 Makore?
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.