Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionOkoume Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
Okoume 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 nameAucoumea klaineana
Janka hardness400 lbf
Average dried weight27 lb/ft³
Best fitInterior millwork
Overview
Why choose Okoume?
Okoume is an imported specialty hardwood. Its natural range is Central Africa, mainly Gabon. Common uses include interior millwork, furniture, musical instruments, boatbuilding, plywood and veneer.
Scientific nameAucoumea klaineana
DistributionCentral Africa, mainly Gabon
ShrinkageRadial: 4.6%, Tangential: 7.1%, Volumetric: 12.2%, T/R Ratio: 1.5 More images | Identification
DurabilityNot durable, with poor insect resistance.
Okoume colour, grain, and figure
The heartwood goes between pale pink and light brown and darkens with age.
The grain is straight, wavy or slightly interlocked. The texture is medium with a good sheen.
Working notes
Its high silica content strongly dulls cutters. Planing and shaping can leave tearout or fuzzy surfaces.
Severe reactions seldom occur, but okoume is reported to irritate skin, eyes and airways, and to cause other effects including coughing, conjunctivitis (pink eye) and asthma-like symptoms.
Okoume should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Okoume
Best projects
Common uses include interior millwork, furniture, musical instruments, boatbuilding, 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 Okoume 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.
Okoume FAQ
What is Okoume best used for?
Common uses include interior millwork, furniture, musical instruments, boatbuilding, plywood and veneer. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Okoume 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 Okoume?
The buying section on this page links to any Okoume 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.