Wenge
Millettia laurentii • Exotic/Tropical Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight when quarter-sawn but often shows a coarse grain with very large pores. It features a distinctive 'partridge wood' or zig-zag pattern caused by alternating bands of light-colored parenchyma and dark-colored wood fibers.
Color Description
Heartwood is a very dark brown, almost black, with copper-colored or yellowish streaks. The sapwood is yellow-white and clearly demarcated from the heartwood. It tends to darken or even become near-black with exposure to light and air.
Hardness Rating
1,930 lbf (Very Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; highly resistant to rot, decay, and termite attack. It is suitable for heavy-wear environments.
Common Uses
High-end furniture, boutique flooring, cabinetry, musical instruments (specifically guitar necks and fingerboards), tool handles, and decorative veneer.
Geographic Origin
Central Africa (Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, and Republic of Congo).
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$25.00 - $45.00 per board foot depending on width, length, and figure quality.
Wood Age Estimate
Modern sample; showing minimal oxidation or wear, likely prepared for a contemporary project within the last 5-10 years.
Sustainability Status
Listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List due to over-exploitation; not currently CITES listed but increasingly restricted in trade.
Workability
Difficult to work with hand and machine tools. It blunts cutting edges very quickly due to high density and mineral content. Large pores are prone to splintering, and the wood produces a dust that is an allergen and can cause respiratory issues.
Notable Features
Faint, slightly bitter scent when being worked; known for its high natural oil content and extreme scratch resistance. The splinters are notoriously prone to causing sepsis if not removed quickly.
Finish Recommendations
Responds best to solvent-based finishes or oils like Tung or Danish oil. Due to its large pores, it typically requires a grain filler if a mirror-smooth finish is desired. It can be difficult to glue because of the high oil content.
Identification Confidence
High; the 'partridge pattern' of the grain combined with the characteristic deep chocolate-to-black color and coarse texture is a definitive hallmark of the Millettia species.