Origin
Central Africa
Janka Hardness
1,930 lbf
Average Weight
4.52 lbs/bf
Color
Medium brown heartwood with nearly black streaks, sometimes with reddish or yellowish hue; oil finishes can deepen color to near black; unlike most dark hardwoods, wenge lightens rather than darkens with sunlight exposure.
Working Characteristics
- Difficult to work with hand and machine tools
- significant dulling effect on cutting edges
- sands unevenly due to density variation between light and dark areas
- very large pores require extra effort to fill for a smooth finish
- extremely splintery — handle unfinished pieces with care, as large splinters carry an elevated risk of infection.
Species Specifications
| Botanical Name | Millettia laurentii |
|---|---|
| Other Names | Wenge |
| Origin | Central Africa |
| Average Weight | 4.52 lbs/bf |
| Janka Hardness | 1,930 lbf |
| Pore Structure | diffuse porous |
| Grain / Texture | Straight grain with very coarse texture; low natural luster. |
| Rot Resistance | Rated very durable; good termite resistance. |
Hardness Compared to Other Woods
See where Wenge falls on the Janka hardness scale compared to other familiar hardwoods.
Softer
Harder
Basswood
410
Cherry
950
Walnut
1010
Red Oak
1290
Hard Maple
1450
Hickory
1820
Purpleheart
2520
The Janka hardness rating measures resistance to denting and wear. Higher numbers generally indicate a harder, denser wood.
Technical Properties
| Shrinkage | Radial: 4.8%, Tangential: 8.3%, Volumetric: 13.3%, T/R Ratio: 1.7 |
|---|---|
| Modulus of Rupture | 21,990 lbf/in2 |
| Elastic Modulus | 2,548,000 lbf/in2 |
| Crushing Strength | 11,710 lbf/in2 |
Why Woodworkers Choose Capital Hardwood
Carefully Selected
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