African Blackwood
Dalbergia melanoxylon • Exotic/Tropical Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight to slightly interlocked grain with a very fine and even texture. It naturally possesses a waxy feel and lacks distinct growth ring figures of conventional hardwoods.
Color Description
Heartwood is typically dark purple-brown to nearly black with dark streaks; sapwood is yellowish-white and clearly demarcated. It maintains a high natural luster and becomes darker and more uniform with age.
Hardness Rating
3,670 lbf (Extremely Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; highly resistant to rot and insect attack, although sapwood is susceptible to powder-post beetles.
Common Uses
Musical instruments (clarinets, oboes, flutes, bagpipes), fine furniture, tool handles, woodturning, and inlay.
Geographic Origin
Dry savanna regions of Central and Southern Africa (predominantly Tanzania and Mozambique).
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$100.00 - $200.00 per board foot; often sold by weight or in small turning blanks due to scarcity and slow growth.
Wood Age Estimate
Estimated between 20-50 years based on the deep oxidation of the heartwood and the polished patina visible on the instrument.
Sustainability Status
CITES Appendix II listed; IUCN Red List status: Near Threatened. Subject to strict export regulations.
Workability
Very difficult to work with hand tools; extremely taxing on machine cutters. It turns and finishes exceptionally well, behaving more like soapstone or metal than wood.
Notable Features
Distinctive mildly pleasant scent when worked. High oil content, high density (sinks in water), and exceptional acoustic resonance and stability.
Finish Recommendations
Usually left natural with just a high-speed buffing or light application of wood-grade wax or bore oil (for instruments). Does not require lacquers.
Identification Confidence
High; the dark purplish-brown streaking, specific use in a woodwind instrument (flute), and extremely fine texture are diagnostic of Dalbergia melanoxylon.