Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionWest Indian Satinwood Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Domestic hardwood species
West Indian Satinwood 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 nameZanthoxylum flavum (syn.
Janka hardness1,820 lbf
Average dried weight56 lb/ft³
Best fitTurned objects
Overview
Why choose West Indian Satinwood?
West Indian Satinwood is a domestic hardwood species. Its natural range is Caribbean. Common uses include turned objects, fine furniture, inlays, veneer, plus other small specialty items.
Scientific nameZanthoxylum flavum (syn.
DistributionCaribbean
ShrinkageRadial: ~6%, Tangential: ~9%, Volumetric: ~15%, T/R Ratio: ~1.5
DurabilityDecay resistance is reported anywhere between durable and non-durable, and insect resistance sits in the middle.
West Indian Satinwood colour, grain, and figure
The heartwood ranges from light or golden yellow through orangish brown. The whitish yellow sapwood is generally paler but not always clearly set apart from the heartwood.
The interlocked grain gives an attractive mottled figure, and striped or roey patterns show on quartersawn faces. The texture is fine and uniform, and the natural sheen is extremely high.
Working notes
Its density and interlocked grain make it hard to work, and nearly every surfacing or planing cut tears out, especially on quartersawn faces.
Serious reactions are rare, but West Indian satinwood is a known sensitizer in some people.
West Indian Satinwood should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for West Indian Satinwood
Best projects
Common uses include turned objects, fine furniture, inlays, veneer, plus other small specialty items.
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 West Indian Satinwood 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.
West Indian Satinwood FAQ
What is West Indian Satinwood best used for?
Common uses include turned objects, fine furniture, inlays, veneer, plus other small specialty items. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is West Indian Satinwood 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 West Indian Satinwood?
The buying section on this page links to any West Indian Satinwood 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.