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In the
NYC area? Contact us for an appointment to visit our Jersey City
warehouse:
201-275-2154 |
Specialty WOODS
Bowl Blanks
Knife-Handle Blanks
Pen Blanks
Burl Woods
Amboyna Burl
Australian Myrtle Burl
Ramon Burl
Redwood
Burl
Sindora
Burl
OTHER
Exotic Woods
Asian
Satinwood (Figured)
Bloodwood
Bocote
Bubinga, Curly
Burmese Blackwood
Cocobolo
Ebony, Black-and-White
Ebony,
Brown
Ebony, Gabon (Sold Out)
Ebony,
Macassar
Ebony,
Striped
Elm, Red
Guatemalan Mora
Honey
Mesquite
Jobillo
Kingwood
Lignum Vitae (Argentine)
Maple,
Ambrosia - 25% Off!
Maple,
Birdseye
Maple,
Spalted
Marblewood
Mopane
Olivewood
Osage Orange
Padauk
Palm, Black
Palm, Red
Pink Ivory
Purpleheart
Redheart
Rosewood, Bolivian
Rosewood, East Indian
Snakewood
Tambootie
Wengé
Yellowheart
Zebrawood
Ziricote
Other Exotic Woods
Defects @ Discount
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ALWAYS FREE
UPS GROUND SHIPPING FOR ORDERS OVER $149
(Contiguous U.S. Only) |
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Gabon Black Ebony
Information |
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GABON BLACK EBONY FACTS
Gabon Ebony (Diospyros
crassiflora) is said to be "the blackest wood in the world,"
although it does sometimes contain brown highlights. The wood is
quite hard, heavy, and dense, with an average specific gravity of
about 1.03 (meaning that it sinks in water). Gabon Ebony's
combination of jet-black appearance and hardness makes it a
particular favorite among musical instrument makers — the wood is
widely used to make keys for pianos and harpsichords, as well as
fingerboards for guitars, violins, cellos, and oboes. The wood is
also used to make turnings and carvings in general, and for inlay
work on fine furniture and other high-end products.
Ebony wood has been coveted by wood
artisans for literally thousands of years; in fact, some carved
pieces have been discovered in Ancient Egyptian tombs. The wood's
distinct coloring and ability to polish beautifully have kept it
highly sought after through the ages.
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Gabon Ebony (and Afzelia Lay) Plugs by Paul D. of Canada |
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Diospyros
crassiflora trees can grow to about 50 feet in height and two
feet in diameter, but these are very old trees. Most of the trees
available nowadays are considerably smaller, which is why Gabon
Ebony is generally only available in widths of six inches and below,
and in lengths of three feet and less.
Because of its hardness, very sharp
tools should be used when working with Gabon Ebony. Also, proper
ventilation and breathing protection are key as the wood can produce
a lot of noxious dust when turned or sanded.
Gabon Ebony tends to be more consistently black than Indian Ebony (not surprisingly,
it is also more expensive).
Of note: Gabon Ebony is
frequently spelled "Gaboon Ebony" (in fact, a Google search actually
produces more results for "Gaboon Ebony" than "Gabon Ebony"). The
name of the African country from which the wood hails, though, is
Gabon (not Gaboon), so we'll stick with that!
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GABON EBONY
TIDBIT
The
Ancient Greeks referred to black ebony as the
"fruit of the gods," which is the translation of the genus
name "Diospyros" (taken
from the Ancient Greek
for date-plum). |
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GABON EBONY'S DIFFERENT LOOKS
Click on Photos for Larger Versions |
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GABON EBONY FINISHED
PRODUCTS, CREATED BY EXOTIC WOOD GROUP CUSTOMERS |
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By Bill G. of Illinois |

By Ryan K. of Georgia |

By Doug E. of Texas |

By Wolf H. of Italy |
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