Wood Species Guide
Ekki
Lophira alata
Also called: Azobe, Bongossi, Red Ironwood, Kaku
About the name “Ekki”
Ekki is sometimes sold as red ironwood. Many unrelated woods are called ironwood, so ask for ekki or azobe by name.
What Ekki looks like
Heartwood is dark red to chocolate brown, often with a purplish cast and white flecks in the pores. Sapwood is pale pink and clearly separate.
Grain and texture
Grain is interlocked, with a coarse texture and little luster.
Working Ekki: planing, cutting and gluing
Very hard to work: it is dense, strongly interlocked and quick to dull blades, so carbide is a must. Tearout on planing is common. Gluing is difficult; it is usually bolted or screwed with pilot holes.
Finishing Ekki: oil, film finishes and epoxy
Usually left to weather or treated with a penetrating deck oil. Indoors, wipe with acetone and use thin coats. For epoxy, seal the coarse pores first to stop bubbles. It grays outdoors without UV protection.
Durability, stability and Florida humidity
Very durable and resistant to insects, with good weathering. It is used for bridges and marine structures in Europe and Africa, so Florida docks and boardwalks are well within its comfort zone. Big sections can check as they dry.
Shop notes from our Fort Myers shop
Ekki is a heavy construction and marine timber, not a furniture wood. Think dock decking, boardwalks, bridge planks and bulkhead caps. It is hard on tools, so price your labor accordingly. We don't stock it, but ask us and we can often source it.
Common uses for Ekki
Bridges, docks, marine pilings and decking, railroad ties, heavy flooring and boatbuilding.
Sustainability and CITES status
Not listed in the CITES Appendices. The IUCN lists it as Vulnerable because of population decline from habitat loss and logging. Buy from suppliers with legal-origin paperwork.
Safety and toxicity
- Skin irritation
Skin irritation is reported now and then. Few other reports exist.
- In the shop
- Dust collection + mask when sanding
- Food contact
- Use with care for cutting boards, bowls and utensils
General information, not medical advice. See a doctor if you have a reaction.
Skin irritation has been reported, but serious reactions are uncommon. Use dust collection and a mask.
Ekki in stock now
Ask us. We can often source it.
We don't have Ekki listed online right now, but new slabs and lumber come in all the time and not everything makes it to the website. Tell us what you're building and we'll check our racks and suppliers.
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