Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionMoabi Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
Moabi 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 nameBaillonella toxisperma
Janka hardness1,790 lbf
Average dried weight54 lb/ft³
Best fitSmall specialty pieces
Overview
Why choose Moabi?
Moabi is an imported specialty hardwood. Its natural range is Equatorial Africa. Common uses include small specialty pieces, cabinetry, fine furniture, turned items and veneer.
Scientific nameBaillonella toxisperma
DistributionEquatorial Africa
ShrinkageRadial: 6.2%, Tangential: 8.0%, Volumetric: 14.0%, T/R Ratio: 1.3
DurabilityRated very durable, with good insect resistance.
Moabi colour, grain, and figure
The heartwood is an even pinkish brown, in places a deeper reddish brown, and it darkens with age.
The grain runs straight to wavy and the texture is fine and even.
Working notes
Usually easy with hand tools or machinery, but figured stock chips and tears out much more readily when machined. Moabi is high in silica and quickly dulls cutting edges, tool steel in particular.
Severe reactions seldom occur, but moabi is reported to irritate eyes and nose.
Moabi should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Moabi
Best projects
Common uses include small specialty pieces, cabinetry, fine furniture, turned items 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 Moabi 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.
Moabi FAQ
What is Moabi best used for?
Common uses include small specialty pieces, cabinetry, fine furniture, turned items and veneer. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Moabi 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 Moabi?
The buying section on this page links to any Moabi 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.