Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionRamin Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
Ramin 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 nameGonystylus spp.
Janka hardness1,300 lbf
Average dried weight40.9 lb/ft³
Best fitTurned items
Overview
Why choose Ramin?
Ramin is an imported specialty hardwood. Its natural range is Southeast Asia. Common uses include turned items, tool handles, dowels, utility lumber, flooring, plywood, veneer, cabinetry and furniture.
Scientific nameGonystylus spp.
DistributionSoutheast Asia
ShrinkageRadial: 4.4%, Tangential: 9.1%, Volumetric: 14.0%, T/R Ratio: 2.1 More images | Identification
DurabilityRated non-durable to perishable against decay, and insects attack it.
Ramin colour, grain, and figure
The wood is nearly white through pale yellow, at times greyish. The sapwood and heartwood look the same.
The grain is straight or a little interlocked and usually lacks notable figure. Texture runs medium through fine, with a low sheen.
Working notes
Good working qualities overall with hand tools and machinery, but ramin tends to splinter in cross-cutting.
Severe reactions seldom occur, but ramin is reported to irritate eyes and skin and to cause side effects including asthma-like symptoms and a greater chance of splinters becoming infected.
Ramin should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Ramin
Best projects
Common uses include turned items, tool handles, dowels, utility lumber, flooring, plywood, veneer, cabinetry and furniture.
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 Ramin 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.
Ramin FAQ
What is Ramin best used for?
Common uses include turned items, tool handles, dowels, utility lumber, flooring, plywood, veneer, cabinetry and furniture. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Ramin 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 Ramin?
The buying section on this page links to any Ramin 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.