Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionPau Santo Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
Pau Santo 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 nameZollernia spp.
Janka hardness3,280 lbf
Average dried weight70 lb/ft³
Best fitKnife handles
Overview
Why choose Pau Santo?
Pau Santo is an imported specialty hardwood. Its natural range is Brazil. Common uses include knife handles, turned items and the backs and sides of guitars.
Scientific nameZollernia spp.
DistributionBrazil
ShrinkageRadial: 5.0%, Tangential: 9.6%, Volumetric: 14.7%, T/R Ratio: 1.9
DurabilityRated moderately durable to durable, with good insect resistance.
Pau Santo colour, grain, and figure
The heartwood is dark brown, sometimes tinted grey or green. The pale yellowish sapwood is sharply separated from it.
The grain is generally interlocked. The texture is fine and even, and the sheen is excellent.
Working notes
Moderately hard to work because of how dense it is and its interlocked grain. Natural oils can get in the way when gluing and finishing.
Severe reactions seldom occur, but skin irritation has been reported from Pau Santo.
Pau Santo should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Pau Santo
Best projects
Common uses include knife handles, turned items and the backs and sides of guitars.
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 Pau Santo 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.
Pau Santo FAQ
What is Pau Santo best used for?
Common uses include knife handles, turned items and the backs and sides of guitars. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Pau Santo 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 Pau Santo?
The buying section on this page links to any Pau Santo 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.