Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionWamara Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
Wamara 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 nameSwartzia spp.
Janka hardness3,660 lbf
Average dried weight67 lb/ft³
Best fitInlays
Overview
Why choose Wamara?
Wamara is an imported specialty hardwood. Its natural range is Southern Mexico, plus Central America and northern parts of South America. Common uses include inlays, fine furniture, parquet flooring, cabinetry, small specialty pieces and turnings.
Scientific nameSwartzia spp.
DistributionSouthern Mexico, plus Central America and northern parts of South America
ShrinkageRadial: 4.7%, Tangential: 7.6%, Volumetric: 12.3%, T/R Ratio: 1.6
DurabilityDurability depends on the species but is generally very high.
Wamara colour, grain, and figure
Heartwood ranges from a medium reddish brown to a purplish black, often with darker contrasting stripes. The pale yellowish white sapwood is sharply set off from it.
Grain is mostly straight but can be irregular or interlocked. The texture is fine and even, with a good natural luster.
Working notes
Its high density generally makes it hard to work. It blunts cutters moderately to heavily, and interlocked grain can tear out during planing.
Wamara is reported to irritate the airways in some people.
Wamara should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Wamara
Best projects
Common uses include inlays, fine furniture, parquet flooring, cabinetry, small specialty pieces and turnings.
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 Wamara 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.
Wamara FAQ
What is Wamara best used for?
Common uses include inlays, fine furniture, parquet flooring, cabinetry, small specialty pieces and turnings. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Wamara 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 Wamara?
The buying section on this page links to any Wamara 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.