Griffin Exotic Wood
 



Click here for more photos of bare 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: for those like us who are concerned about environmental impact of wood use:    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:  Click here to see sample photo of bare wood in different grades
IQ=Instrument quality. The wood has no visible defects of any kind and is at least partially air dried (PAD).  Grain that is not straight may be present.  Color varies.
IQ2= 2nd instrument quality.  These pieces didn't make IQ grade, due to a minor defect such as a small sapwood area that will turn out, 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 wood xraying capability and cannot guarantee the quality on the inside, though usually it is same as outside.
Dowels: New! Any of the square pieces below can be made into a dowel.  Call/email for cost of sizes not listed below.












































































BIBLICAL WOODS


 
Exotic Wood Chart
ORDER INFO.
Home Page
Email us
 
African Blackwood pen blank 5/8 x 5/8 x 5
(many have some sapwood) 
Price: $1.40
Qty: 

African Blackwood pen blank 3/4 x 3/4 x 6
New! same price as before, but larger blanks!
Price: $1.90
Qty: 

African blackwood pen blanks, 3/4 x 3/4 x 6 inches long, 
Discount for 25 or more!
Price: $1.70
Qty: 

African Blackwood pen blank 7/8 x 7/8 x 6
New!
Price: $2.90
Qty: 

African blackwood pen blanks, 7/8 x 7/8 x 6 inches long,
Discount for 25 or more!
Price: $2.00
Qty: 

African Blackwood 1 x 1 x 12 IQ2
New! 
Price: $6.00
Qty: 

African Blackwood 1 1/8 x 1 1/8 x 12 IQ2
New!
Price: $8.00
Qty: 

African Blackwood 1 1/8 x 1 1/8 x 12 IQ2, Discount on 10 or more!
Price: $7.00
Qty: 

African Blackwood 1 1/8 x 1 1/8 x 12 IQ
New!
Price: $12.80
Qty: 

African Blackwood 1.5 x 1.5 x 6 IQ2
New!
Price: $7.80
Qty: 

African Blackwood 1.5 x 1.5 x 6 IQ2, Discount for 4 or more!
Price: $7.10
Qty: 

African Blackwood 1.5 x 1.5 x 6 IQ
New!
Price: $11.25
Qty: 

African blackwood 1.5 x 1.5 x 9 IQ
Price: $17.80
Qty:

African Blackwood 1.5 diameter by 12" DOWEL IQ2
Round dowels can  vary by up to 1/8" in diameter
from listed size.  (1 3/8" minimum in this case)
Price: $18.00
Qty:

African Blackwood 1.5 x 1.5 x 12" IQ2
Price: $23.00
Qty:

African Blackwood 1.5 x 1.5 x 12" IQ
Price: $15.00
Qty:

African Blackwood 1.5 x 1.5 x 15 IQ
New!
Price: $35.50
Qty: 

African Blackwood 1.5 x 1.5 x 15 IQ,
Discount on 3 or more!
Price: $32.00
Qty: 

African Blackwood 1.5 x 1.5 x 18" IQ2
Price: $24.00
Qty:

African blackwood 2 x 2 x 12 IQ2
Price: $30.25 (was 32.50)
Qty: 

African blackwood 2 x 2 x 12 IQ (limited supply)
Price: $46.50(compare at $74.00)
Qty: 

African blackwood 2 x 2 x 30 IQ2+
Price: $115.00
Qty: 

African Blackwood 3 x 3 x 12 IQ2
Price: $99.00---was $120.00!
Qty: 


Bowl blanks

African Blackwood 2 x 4 x 4 IQ2, 
high quality, all heartwood, no defects!
Price: $19.50
Qty: 

African Blackwood 2 x 5 x 5 IQ2, 
high quality, all heartwood, no defects!
Price: $31.50
Qty: 

African Blackwood 3 x 5 x 5 IQ2, 
high quality, all heartwood, no defects!
Price: $52.50
Qty: 

African Blackwood 3 x 7 x 7 IQ2, 
Very Good quality, only a little sapwood
allowed around a corner or two
Price: $122.50
Qty: 

African Blackwood 4 x 8 x 8 IQ2
very Good Quality,
only a little sapwood allowed around one or two corners
Price: $268.00, was $322.00)
Qty: 


BAGPIPE SETS

Note that these were air dried in africa,  where humidity is high. Expect to spend more time drying these 
pieces to reach optimum seasoning.    

African Blackwood 14 piece highland bagpipe set,
instrument quality
Price: $325.00
Qty:

African Blackwood 14 piece highland bagpipe set,
instrument quality, discount for 3 or more!
Price: $290.00
Qty:

Oboe Bells

African blackwood Oboe Bell IQ
2.25" square base,  5.5" height
Price: $15.50
Qty: 

African blackwood Oboe Bell IQ Save over 10% on 6 or more!
2.25" square base, 5.5" height
Price: $13.95
Qty: 


African blackwood logs (2.5-5" diameter) enter the number of pounds, 
call for info if necessary, minimum of 4 pounds
Regular Price: $8.00
Sale! 5.20 per pound !
Clearance for random log sections! 
Qty: 


 

African Blackwood Log sections:

 (Read grading note for logs at top of page):
 
 
 

Order online, or call us Monday through Friday toll free: 1-866-518-9663
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.


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