Zebrawood
Microberlinia brazzavillensis • Exotic/Tropical Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Interlocked grain with a coarse texture; presents as a series of dark and light alternating stripes when quartersawn, though this sample shows a tighter, somewhat wavy figure characteristic of small turnings.
Color Description
Golden yellow to light brown heartwood with distinct dark brown to black streaks; sapwood is pale white and usually clearly demarcated. The wood can darken slightly over time and maintains a moderate luster.
Hardness Rating
1,575 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Durable; resistant to termites and rot, though often used for indoor decorative applications where heartwood durability is high.
Common Uses
Luxury furniture, veneer, cabinetry, small specialty wood objects (pens, tool handles), and interior trim.
Geographic Origin
Central Africa (Gabon, Cameroon, and Congo).
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$20.00 to $35.00 per board foot depending on figure and width.
Wood Age Estimate
Modern; the wood appears freshly machined and finished with no signs of oxidation or wear, likely processed within the last 5-10 years.
Sustainability Status
Near Threatened; listed on the IUCN Red List due to population reduction caused by habitat loss and overexploitation.
Workability
Generally difficult to work due to interlocked grain which often causes tearout during planing or surfacing; glues and finishes well but requires sharp tools.
Notable Features
Features a very distinctive, unpleasant odor when being worked; can cause skin irritation in some individuals; highly sought after for its striking aesthetic contrast.
Finish Recommendations
Film-building finishes like Cyanoacrylate (CA glue) are common for pens; also takes lacquer, wax, or polyurethane well to highlight the grain contrast.
Identification Confidence
High; the distinctive alternating dark and light striped pattern coupled with the coarse texture and application in a turned boltaction pen kit is characteristic of Zebrawood.