Ebony (most likely African Ebony)
Diospyros crassiflora · Exotic/Tropical Hardwood
- Type
- Exotic/Tropical Hardwood
- Origin
- West Africa (specifically Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, Equatorial Guinea)
- Hardness
- 3,220 lbf (Extremely Hard)
- Durability
- Very Durable. Highly resistant to rot and termites, though primarily used indoors for musical instruments where its primary stress is physical wear rather than decay.
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Grain Pattern
Straight to slightly interlocked with a very fine, even texture. The frog shows the characteristic dense, compact grain lines typical of the Diospyros genus when used in small-scale lutherie items.
Color & Appearance
Heartwood is typically jet-black, sometimes with grey or dark brown streaks as seen in the subtle lighter vessel lines of this sample. It has a natural metallic luster and shows very little color change over time, though it may deepen further into black.
Hardness (Janka)
3,220 lbf (Extremely Hard)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Very Durable. Highly resistant to rot and termites, though primarily used indoors for musical instruments where its primary stress is physical wear rather than decay.
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- $100 - $150 per board foot for high-grade instrument quality; significantly higher for processed blanks.
- Wood Age Estimate
- The wood itself likely comes from a tree 100+ years old; the object (bow frog) appears to be of modern manufacture (last 20-40 years) based on the crisp edges and condition of the pearl inlay.
- Sustainability Status
- Listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. CITES Appendix II (Diospyros spp. from Madagascar). Highly regulated and increasingly scarce.
Common Uses
Musical instrument components (violin/cello frogs, fingerboards, piano keys), fine inlay, tool handles, and high-end turnings.
Geographic Origin
West Africa (specifically Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, Equatorial Guinea)
Workability
Difficult to work due to extreme density; has a high blunting effect on cutters. It finishes to a very high natural luster and glues well despite being somewhat oily.
Finish Recommendations
Generally left unfinished and buffed to a high gloss, or treated with a light application of mineral oil or fingerboard oil to prevent cracking in low humidity.
Notable Features
Extremely heavy (it sinks in water); high acoustic damping properties; famous for being one of the only woods used for stringed instrument fittings due to its smoothness against the skin and durability.
