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Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionOpepe Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
Opepe 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 nameNauclea diderrichii
Janka hardness1,550 lbf
Average dried weight48.2 lb/ft³
Best fitBoatbuilding
Overview
Why choose Opepe?
Opepe is an imported specialty hardwood. Grows across West and Central Africa. Common uses include boatbuilding, docks, carving, cabinetry, furniture, flooring, turned objects and general construction.
Scientific nameNauclea diderrichii
DistributionGrows across West and Central Africa
ShrinkageRadial: 4.8%, Tangential: 8.1%, Volumetric: 12.6%, T/R Ratio: 1.7 More images | Identification
DurabilityDecay resistance is moderate to very good. The heartwood is reported to hold up moderately to well against insects and marine borers.
Opepe colour, grain, and figure
Heartwood starts out golden brown or orange and darkens over time. Light yellow sapwood is clearly set apart from it.
The grain is generally interlocked, irregular, or both. The texture is coarse and even, with a good natural shine.
Working notes
It is moderately easy to work, but quartersawn faces and highly irregular grain need care to prevent tearout. It does not bend well.
Serious reactions are unusual, but opepe is reported to act as a sensitizer.
Opepe should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Opepe
Best projects
Common uses include boatbuilding, docks, carving, cabinetry, furniture, flooring, turned objects and general construction.
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 Opepe 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.
Opepe FAQ
What is Opepe best used for?
Common uses include boatbuilding, docks, carving, cabinetry, furniture, flooring, turned objects and general construction. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Opepe 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 Opepe?
The buying section on this page links to any Opepe 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.