Zebrawood
Microberlinia brazzavillensis
Hardness
Hard and durable; stands up to wear and traffic.
Overview
Bold dark-on-light striping makes this one of the most recognizable exotic woods, used mostly as an accent.
Commonly built
- Veneer panels
- Turned bowls
- Knife scales
- Jewelry boxes
Appearance
Pale golden background with dramatic dark brown to black stripes running through the grain.
Recommended uses
Uses to avoid
Similar species
Comparable on hardness, type, and workability, useful when this species isn't available.
Working notes
Interlocked, coarse grain tears out easily; sand progressively rather than trying to plane it smooth. Glues acceptably but stripes can telegraph through thin veneer.
Common questions
How hard is Zebrawood?
Zebrawood has a Janka hardness of 1575 lbf, a measure of how well it resists denting and wear.
Is Zebrawood suitable for outdoor use?
Zebrawood is best used indoors; it is not naturally suited to sustained outdoor or wet conditions.
How easy is Zebrawood to work with?
Zebrawood has Fair workability for cutting, shaping, and joinery.
Community photos
Real photos from woodworkers who've used zebrawood, reviewed before they appear here.
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Wood data varies by source and sample. How we source and review our data.