Gaboon Ebony
Diospyros crassiflora
Hardness
Very hard; tough on tools but extremely wear-resistant.
Overview
The classic jet-black ebony used for fingerboards and fine accents; scarce, expensive, and sold in small pieces.
Commonly built
- Guitar fingerboards
- Knife scales
- Chess pieces
- Inlay accents
Appearance
Deep black, sometimes with faint gray-brown streaks; sapwood is pale and usually removed.
Recommended uses
Uses to avoid
Similar species
Comparable on hardness, type, and workability, useful when this species isn't available.
Working notes
Extremely dense and brittle; can chip out at edges. Pre-drill every fastener hole. Small growth diameter limits it to small parts and accents.
Common questions
How hard is Gaboon Ebony?
Gaboon Ebony has a Janka hardness of 3080 lbf, a measure of how well it resists denting and wear.
Is Gaboon Ebony suitable for outdoor use?
Gaboon Ebony is best used indoors; it is not naturally suited to sustained outdoor or wet conditions.
How easy is Gaboon Ebony to work with?
Gaboon Ebony has Difficult workability for cutting, shaping, and joinery.
Community photos
Real photos from woodworkers who've used gaboon ebony, reviewed before they appear here.
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Wood data varies by source and sample. How we source and review our data.