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View optionSissoo Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
Sissoo 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 nameDalbergia sissoo
Janka hardness1,660 lbf
Average dried weight48 lb/ft³
Best fitPercussion instruments
Overview
Why choose Sissoo?
Sissoo is an imported specialty hardwood. Mainly the north of India, Nepal, Pakistan and Western Asia, and also grown on plantations. Common uses include percussion instruments, furniture, flooring, boatbuilding, carving, veneer, plywood and turned objects.
Scientific nameDalbergia sissoo
DistributionMainly the north of India, Nepal, Pakistan and Western Asia, and also grown on plantations
ShrinkageRadial: 3.1%, Tangential: 5.3%, Volumetric: 8.4%, T/R Ratio: 1.8
DurabilityDecay resistance is good, rated durable to very durable.
Sissoo colour, grain, and figure
The heartwood goes from golden brown up to a deeper reddish shade of brown. The pale straw-coloured sapwood is sharply set off from it and is sometimes left in finished products, possibly to save cost rather than for looks.
Grain is generally straight, but at times it is interlocked, sometimes severely. Expect a medium to coarse texture and a good natural luster.
Working notes
It has good working qualities and handles nearly every machining operation well, except that interlocked sections tend to tear when surfacing. Cutters can lose their edge fast if chalky deposits show up in a board.
Sissoo usually counts as less allergenic than the other rosewoods of the Dalbergia genus, yet skin irritation is still reported.
Sissoo should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Sissoo
Best projects
Common uses include percussion instruments, furniture, flooring, boatbuilding, carving, veneer, plywood and turned objects.
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 Sissoo 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.
Sissoo FAQ
What is Sissoo best used for?
Common uses include percussion instruments, furniture, flooring, boatbuilding, carving, veneer, plywood and turned objects. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Sissoo 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 Sissoo?
The buying section on this page links to any Sissoo 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.