Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionNarra Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
Narra 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 namePterocarpus indicus
Janka hardness1,260 lbf
Average dried weight41 lb/ft³
Best fitVeneer
Overview
Why choose Narra?
Narra is a imported specialty hardwood associated with Southeast Asia. It is useful when the project calls for veneer, furniture, cabinetry, boatbuilding, plywood, turned objects, and small specialty wood 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 namePterocarpus indicus
DistributionSoutheast Asia
ShrinkageRadial: 2.8%, Tangential: 4.0%, Volumetric: 6.9%, T/R Ratio: 1.4
DurabilityNarra has good weathering characteristics and is typically very durable regarding decay resistance.
Narra colour, grain, and figure
Expect heartwood can vary widely in color, ranging from a golden yellow to a reddish brown. Pale yellow sapwood is clearly demarcated from the heartwood.
In practical selection, the grain and texture are best treated this way: grain is usually interlocked, and can sometimes be wavy. With an uneven medium to coarse texture with good natural luster.
Working notes
In the shop, easy to work with both hand and machine tools, one of Narra’s only downsides is that it has a moderate blunting effect on cutters. Narra turns, glues, and finishes well.
Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, Narra has been reported as an irritant; most common reactions simply include skin and respiratory irritation, as well as asthma-like symptoms.
Narra should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Narra
Best projects
Veneer, furniture, cabinetry, boatbuilding, plywood, turned objects, and small specialty wood 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 Narra 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.
Narra FAQ
What is Narra best used for?
Narra is best considered for veneer, furniture, cabinetry, boatbuilding, plywood, turned objects, and small specialty wood items. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Narra 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 Narra?
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.