OTHER COMMON NAMES: Bubinga, kevazingo, kewazingo, African rosewood.
SPECIFIC GRAVITY:
0.65 to 0.78
DENSITY:
50 to 60 pcf
TANGENTIAL MOVEMENT:
6.6% to 10.2% (varies by species and growing conditions)
RADIAL MOVEMENT:
4.0% to 7.6%
VOLUMETRIC SHRINKAGE:
9.4% to 16.6%
DURABILITY:
Very good
SOURCE:
Tropical West Africa, Cameroon, Gabon
DESCRIPTION:
Bubinga is a hard, heavy wood with characteristics similar to the rosewoods. Color and density varies by species, but the heartwood is typically medium reddish brown or purplish brown with darker veining, often exhibiting dramatically chatoyant "bees-wing" mottle. Relatively hard and dense, bubinga is difficult to work with hand tools because of its density and interlocked grain, but can be machined smoothly and takes a fine finish.