Wenge
Millettia laurentii • Exotic/Tropical Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight and coarsely textured with a prominent, dark, almost black grain. The wood is characterized by alternating bands of light and dark brown, appearing as a streaked or partridge-like pattern on flat-sawn surfaces.
Color Description
Heartwood is medium brown, sometimes with a reddish or yellowish hue, with nearly black streaks. After finishing (especially oil), the wood can turn a dark coffee or nearly black color. Sapwood is pale yellow and clearly demarcated from heartwood.
Hardness Rating
1,930 lbf (Very Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; highly resistant to rot and termite attack.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, musical instruments (especially guitar necks and fingerboards), high-end veneers, and decorative turning.
Geographic Origin
Central Africa (Congo, Cameroon, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea)
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$30.00 - $50.00 per board foot depending on thickness and width.
Wood Age Estimate
Modern sample likely processed within the last 10-20 years; shows significant oxidation to a deep chocolate brown characteristic of seasoned wenge.
Sustainability Status
Listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List; CITES Appendix II protection is applicable to some specific regional exports. Sourcing should focus on FSC certification.
Workability
Difficult to work with hand tools due to its extreme hardness and coarse texture. It is prone to splintering and can cause severe allergic reactions or infected splinters. Sands well but can dull cutters quickly.
Notable Features
Faint scent when being worked; splinters are highly prone to causing infection; very heavy and dense with excellent acoustic properties for luthery.
Finish Recommendations
Responds well to oil finishes which darken the wood to a midnight brown. Due to large pores, grain filler is required if a glass-smooth finish is desired. Tung oil or polyurethane are common choices.
Identification Confidence
High. The distinct 'partridge-wing' figure, dark coffee-to-black coloration, and coarse open grain are classic diagnostic features of Millettia laurentii.