Ebony

BOTANICAL NAMES

Diospyros crassiflora, Diospyros mespiliformis.

FAMILY

Member of the Ebenaceae family

COMMERCIAL NAMES

Ebony, Ébène d'Afrique

NATIVE NAMES

Gaboon Ebony, Cameroon Ebony, Nigerian Ebony

SPECIES APPLICATIONS/ USES

HIGH CLASS FURNITURE – TURNED GOODS – SCULPTURE – TOOL HANDLES – PIANO KEYS – MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

RANGE

African equatorial forests and gallery forests throughout the equatorial region. Grows primarily in central to southern Africa. Includes varieties from Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Kribi, Gabon, Madagascar, and Zaire.

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

When freshly cut, the sapwood of African ebony is pink-colored, but darkens to a pale red brown; whereas the heartwood shows a uniform jet-black or black-brown color, sometimes with streaks. Ebony has a very fine texture, with the grain ranging from straight to slightly interlocked, or even moderately curly. The luster of this wood may have an almost metallic appearance. Ebony is an attractive and popular wood with many decorative uses. Ebony is rated as being very durable, with good resistance to termites and other insects.

DRYING

It dries slowly by the air, with some risk of distortion and checking.

SPECIFIC WEIGHT

With a moisture content of 12%, the specific weight with an average of 1035 kg per cubic meter.

PRINCIPAL USES AND PROCESSING TECHNIQUES

The wood is moderately difficult to saw and work, particularly with hand tools. It may cause serious blunting of saw teeth and cutting edges. The wood surfaces take an excellent polish, but picking up of interlocked grain may occur in planning; a reduced cutting angle of 20° is recommended. The wood Glues, turns, and finishes well without the use of a filler. It has a tendency to split upon nailing, and pre-boring is advised. Requires pre-drilling to nail or screw.

NOTICE
African Blackwood is very similar in density, color, and (unfortunately) cost, but is technically in the Dalbergia genus and isn’t considered a true ebony. Wenge and Katalox are two woods that are sometimes used as an ebony substitute.