wood from Africa

[Munsterlander]

I have a friend that wants some pens made using "beautiful wood from Africa" and, if possible, wood that is native to Congo or Uganda in particular (no idea why).

I've suggested African blackwood burl, curly tambooti, olivewood, and pink ivory as candidates, but I've learned the experts are here on this forum. What do you recommend, and in particular any ideas on Congo or Uganda?

Thanks!

 

[RussFairfield]

Look at this link. A list of African woods in their inventory with pictures. The photos l;ink to a description that tells you where it grows.

http://www.woodworkerssource.com/2_african.html

 

[mitchm]

Mike

Afr Blackwood, Tambotie & Olive Wood are mainly from Southern Africa and Pink Ivory can be found upto Uganda but mainly further South. The following are from the Central African region including the Congo and Uganda: Sapele, Padauk, African Mahogany, Ebony and Afrormosia.

Hope this helps some!

 

[Munsterlander]

Thanks Russ & Mike!

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but any opinions? My experience with Padauk is cool if you like orange wood, but not particularly pretty (but then I've never had a piece that had any real figuring or curl in it). Sapele - nice (have some with some curl), but not stunning. Never seen Afromosia or African Mohogany.

But thanks again, very helpful even without opinions...

 

[GouletPens]

african blackwood is nice....dark just like ebony but more stable. If you can get with with some sapwood it makes a really cool looking pen. Sapele is nice, but not mind-blowing. Bubinga is pretty nice, and you can find it curly which makes it pretty cool.

 

[philb]

African Walnut? Iroko? Bubinga? Zebrano? Wenge?

 

[wdcav1952]

Russ,

That is a truly wonderful and informative site. I just added it to my Favorites list.

Thank you for posting it.

 

[DCBluesman]

Try Zambezi Exotics . Keith is a very active and talented member here and has some gorgeous woods from Africa!

 

[Ron in Drums PA]

I have some Afromosia pen blanks, PM me if interested.

 

[Munsterlander]

OK, now I know why the request was for wood from the Congo or Uganda - it's a gift for a guy who does research on ebola. So I'll be trying to find a couple of highly figured Bubinga or Sapele blanks. I'll check the classifieds, but if somebody has something nice, PM me.

 

[stolicky]

I'm not sure if it grows in Congo or Uganda, but Bubinga is a cool African hardwood.

 

[paprgypc]

I have some sapele

Hey Mike,

I just saw your post and sent you a private message with some photos.

Jim

 

[Ron in Drums PA]

I'm not sure if it grows in Congo or Uganda, but Bubinga is a cool African hardwood.

It grows in Cameroon Africa

 

[Munsterlander]

From WikiAnswers:

The Bubinga tree is native to Africa. Specifically, it is found in Cameroon, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Zaire, Equatorial Guinea, Congo, Liberia and Nigeria.

It does appear Cameroon is the country where it is most plentiful, but based on this and other sources, it does grow in the Congo as well - and I did decide go with Bubinga, if I can find the right blank...

 

[GouletPens]

From WikiAnswers:

The Bubinga tree is native to Africa. Specifically, it is found in Cameroon, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Zaire, Equatorial Guinea, Congo, Liberia and Nigeria.

It does appear Cameroon is the country where it is most plentiful, but based on this and other sources, it does grow in the Congo as well - and I did decide go with Bubinga, if I can find the right blank...

If you check Arizona Silhouette, they have some nice pomelle bubinga that is stabilized and looks mind-blowing. Here's one I made out of that wood.

 

[Munsterlander]

Dang, Brian - somehow I missed your last post until now - that blank from AZ is really nice, great job on that pen. I did get some figure bubinga with some curl - haven't applied finish yet so of course don't know exactly how dramatic it will be - but if not so much, I'll definitely take a look at with Bill's got. Thanks!

 

[GouletPens]

Dang, Brian - somehow I missed your last post until now - that blank from AZ is really nice, great job on that pen. I did get some figure bubinga with some curl - haven't applied finish yet so of course don't know exactly how dramatic it will be - but if not so much, I'll definitely take a look at with Bill's got. Thanks!

Bubinga is one of those woods like kauri or koa that doesn't really look very impressive until you put the finish on it, then suddenly, it's WOW!

 

[USAFVET98]

I second Zambezi Exotics.. They have the african sampler as well as individuals. You cant go wrong there..

Try Zambezi Exotics . Keith is a very active and talented member here and has some gorgeous woods from Africa!