Snakewood
Brosimum guianense
Hardness
Very hard; tough on tools but extremely wear-resistant.
Overview
One of the most expensive and hardest woods sold, prized for its snakeskin-like grain pattern in small turned and carved pieces.
Commonly built
- Turned pens
- Knife handles
- Violin bow frogs
Appearance
Reddish-brown with dark, irregular blotching resembling snakeskin.
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; prone to checking as it dries. Small stock size limits it to knife handles, pens, and bow frogs.
Common questions
How hard is Snakewood?
Snakewood has a Janka hardness of 3800 lbf, a measure of how well it resists denting and wear.
Is Snakewood suitable for outdoor use?
Snakewood is best used indoors; it is not naturally suited to sustained outdoor or wet conditions.
How easy is Snakewood to work with?
Snakewood has Difficult workability for cutting, shaping, and joinery.
Community photos
Real photos from woodworkers who've used snakewood, reviewed before they appear here.
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Wood data varies by source and sample. How we source and review our data.