Griffin Exotic Wood
 



African Blackwood
(dalbergia melanoxylon)
African Blackwood grows in Africa, and most of our stock comes from Tanzania where it is called Mpingo.  It mostly grows as a small bush, making harvest of good pieces very difficult.  Sometimes it does grow in a tree form.  It is a true rosewood.  It is the classic wood of choice for bagpipes, clarinets and other musical instruments.  The wood has a natural resistance to saliva (which ebony does not) and the grain is very fine.  It is one of the world's finest turning woods and takes the finest details, making it also one of the best for ornamental turning.  The specific gravity is between 1.0 and 1.2, with a dry weight around 78 pounds per cubic foot.  African blackwood is not really black, but ranges from dark violet to brownish.  If you need a very black wood, please select AA grade ebony. Note that the grading system is not about color but how free of defects the wood is.  If you have very specific expectations, be certain to call us for detailed information.
Environmental Note: Recently, the AAW journal reported that African Blackwood is headed for extinction. However, we have found convincing evidence that this is not the case. The respected IUCN red list of endangered species says that African blackwood is at Low Risk/Not threatened. Other sources seems to indicate that some local populations may become eliminated or commercially too limited to be viable. We are monitoring the situation, but at this point we have found no evidence of anything other than some pressure being placed on the tree population, and neither CITES or IUCN have concluded it is threatened, and is certainly not nearly extinct.   Consider making a gift to the African Blackwood Project which is working to plant more of these trees.  Click here to visit that website.

Grading system:
IQ=Instrument quality.  This means the wood has no visible defects of any kind and is air dried (AD).  Grain that is not straight may be present.  Color varies.
IQ2= 2nd instrument quality.  These are pieces that didn't quite make the grade above, due to a minor defect, swirling wood,  tiny sapwood area or a few pin holes.
TG=Turning grade (usually not marked).   This wood may have knots,   sapwood, etc.   Small holes and tiny hairline checks as well as internal defects possible--if you need a perfect piece, please get a higher grade.
Logs: All African blackwood logs have some checks and other defects.  Expect to cut around or use them as design elements. Sizes stated in maximum dimensions.
Please note that grades are based on external appearances only.   We do not have xraying capability and cannot guarantee the quality on the inside, though usually it is same as outside.





































































 
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African Blackwood pen blank
Price: $1.90
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African Blackwood 1.5 x 1.5 x 5 TG
Price: $3.80
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African blackwood 1.5 x 1.5 x 7 IQ2
Price: $8.20
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African blackwood 1.5 x 1.5 x 9-9.5" IQ2
Price: $11.00
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African Blackwood 1.5 x 1.5 x 11 IQ2
Price: $12.90
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African Blackwood 1.5 x 1.5 x 12" IQ2
Price: $14.00
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African African Blackwood 1 5/8 x 1 5/8 x 28 IQ2
Price: $64.00
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African blackwood 2 x 2 x 12 IQ2
Price: $32.50
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African Blackwood 2 x 2 x 15 IQ2
Price: $38.50
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African Blackwood 2 x 2 x 20 IQ2
Price: $44.50
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African blackwood 2 x 2 x 22 IQ2
Price: $46.00
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African Blackwood 2 x 2 x 27.75" IQ2
Price: $61.50
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African blackwood 2 x 2 x 30 IQ2+
Price: $115.00
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African Blackwood 2.25" x 2.25" x 20" IQ2
Price: $70.00
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African Blackwood 2.25" x 2.25" x 24.5" IQ2
Price: $86.00
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African Blackwood 3 x 3 x 12 IQ2
Price: $120.00
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African Blackwood 4 x 8 x 8 IQ2
Price: $322.00
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Oboe Bells

African blackwood Oboe Bell IQ2
2.25" square base,  5.5" height
Price: $11.25
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African blackwood Oboe Bell IQ2 Save over 10% on 3 or more!
2.25" square base, 5.5" height
Price: $10.00
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Oboe Bells

African blackwood Oboe Bell IQ
2.25" square base,  5.5" height
Price: $15.50
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African blackwood Oboe Bell IQ Save over 10% on 6 or more!
2.25" square base, 5.5" height
Price: $13.95
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African blackwood logs (3-5" diameter) enter the number of pounds, call if necessary
Price: $8.00
Qty: 


 

African Blackwood Log sections:


This photo refers to individual pieces below (Read grading note at top of page):

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International callers and questions: (USA country code)+970+241+2827
 

Note that everything on this page (photos too!) are copyrighted and may not be used
without written permission.  Copyright 2006 by James Griffin.  If you are a customer
and desire to use some of our photos on your website, call us with your request.