Description
Wenge is grown mainly in Zaire, Cameroon Republic and Gabon. The sapwood is pale white to yellow in colour, and clearly demarcated from the heartwood. The heartwood is dark, dark brown, bordering on black. Alternating layers of light and dark wood and white bands marked with black veins create a decorative figure. The texture is somewhat coarse with a fairly straight grain.
Wenge is a dense, strong wood. It works fairly easily with both hand and machine tools however, blunting of cutting edges occurs rapidly. It is difficult to glue, due to resins. It holds nails and screws well, but pre-boring is required. Varnishing and finishing with solvent-based stains can be difficult. It also is difficult to polish, but reasonable results can be achieved.
Uses include:
– Flooring stripes or blocks
– Interior and Exterior joinery
– General construction work
– Sliced as decorative veneers for panelling, cabinets and marquetry.
Approx. average weight – 880 KG / M3