DiaDot.com African Blackwood
Index
               Name
                          African Blackwood (Dalbergia melanoxylon)
               Type
                          Hardwood.
               Other Names
                          Also known as Mozambique ebony, Senegal ebony,
                          mpingo, grenadillo, banbanus, ebene, mufunjo, and
                          Congowood.
               Sources
                          Grows in East Africa. Dark purplish brown heartwood
                          with black streaks and narrow, white sapwood.
               Appearance
                          Mostly straight grained with fine texture, dull luster, and
                          slightly oily nature. Dark purplish brown heartwood with
                          black streaks and narrow, white sapwood.
               Physical Props
                          Extremely heavy and hard and rates high in strength,
                          stiffness, shock resistance, and decay resistance
                          (heartwood). Very stable in use.
               Working Props
                          Has severe blunting effect on cutting edges but otherwise
                          cuts smoothly and cleanly and can be easily tapped for
                          screw threads. Pre-drilling required for screwing or
                          nailing. Glues well and polishes to a very smooth,
                          lustrous finish.
               Uses
                          Often used for woodwind instruments such as flutes,
                          piccolos, oboes, clarinets, recorders, bag pipes, and so
                          on. Also used for brush backs, knife handles, chess
                          pieces, bearings, pulley blocks, walking sticks, inlay, and
                          carving.
               Comments
                          Considered one of the best woods in the world for
                          turnery.

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