Wood Species Guide

Black Limba

Terminalia superba

Also called: Limba, Korina, Black Korina, Afara, Frake, Ofram, Limba Noir

Black limba is a lightweight African hardwood with dramatic dark streaks over a pale olive base. It's easy on tools and on your back, and it's long been a favorite with guitar builders.
ImportHardwoodColorful Import Hardwoods
Good forGuitars & Tonewoods

What Black Limba looks like

Black limba is the streaked heartwood of the limba tree: a pale tan to light olive base with dark brown to near-black lines running through it. Boards without the streaks are sold as white limba. The figure varies a lot from board to board, so pick in person if the look matters.

Grain and texture

Grain is straight to slightly irregular with a medium-coarse, open texture. It's light for its size and has a mild satin look when sanded.

Working Black Limba: planing, cutting and gluing

It's soft and light, so it cuts and planes easily, though dull knives will fuzz the surface and tear out around the dark streaks. Keep blades sharp and sand through the grits without skipping. It glues and screws fine, but pre-drill near ends because it can split.

Finishing Black Limba: oil, film finishes and epoxy

Takes oil, lacquer and polyurethane well. The open pores can trap air, so put down a thin seal coat before flood coats of epoxy or you'll chase bubbles. Use a grain filler if you want a glassy film finish.

Durability, stability and Florida humidity

Limba is not rot resistant and is prone to insect attack, so keep it indoors. It's fairly stable once dried. In Florida, acclimate it and seal all faces, especially on thin parts like guitar bodies or panels.

Shop notes from our Fort Myers shop

We stock black limba lumber, and it's a good pick when you want an imported look without the weight. It's great for drawer fronts, panels and accent pieces, and it was the wood behind the famous 'Korina' electric guitars. Because it's soft, it isn't our first choice for a hard-wearing dining top. Lay out the boards before you cut so the dark streaks flow the way you want.

Common uses for Black Limba

Guitar bodies and necks, furniture panels, veneer, interior trim, cabinet fronts and small decorative boxes.

Sustainability and CITES status

Not listed in the CITES Appendices, and not listed as threatened on the IUCN Red List.

Safety and toxicity

Our toxicity rating ModerateWhat the ratings mean
  • Sensitizer (allergy builds with exposure)
  • Respiratory / asthma
  • Skin irritation
  • Splinters prone to infection

Limba is a recognized airway sensitizer, and skin rashes and hives have been reported. Splinters tend to get inflamed, so pull them right away.

In the shop
Dust collection + respirator when sanding; gloves; remove splinters promptly
Food contact
Not recommended for cutting boards, bowls and utensils

General information, not medical advice. See a doctor if you have a reaction.

Limba dust has been linked to skin and breathing irritation, and splinters can get infected, so pull them promptly. Wear a dust mask and use dust collection.

Wood toxicity and dust safety guide: every species compared

Black Limba in stock now

Hardwood lumber in stock (1)

Want to see them in person? Book a slab & lumber visit.

Similar woods: Colorful Import Hardwoods

See the Colorful Import Hardwoods group guide

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