Wood Species Guide
Gaboon Ebony
Diospyros crassiflora
Also called: African Ebony, Gabon Ebony, Cameroon Ebony, Nigerian Ebony
What Gaboon Ebony looks like
The blackest wood you can buy, jet black in the best pieces. Many boards show some gray or brown streaking, and the sapwood is a pale yellowish white.
Grain and texture
Very fine, even texture with straight to slightly interlocked grain and a natural sheen. The pores are tiny, so it polishes almost like stone.
Working Gaboon Ebony: planing, cutting and gluing
Hard, heavy and brittle, and it will dull tools quickly. Use sharp carbide, take light cuts and support the work to avoid chipping at the exit. It glues fine, but the oily surface likes an acetone wipe first. Pre-drill everything.
Finishing Gaboon Ebony: oil, film finishes and epoxy
Often it needs nothing more than sanding to a high grit and buffing. Oil or wax gives a deep black luster. If you are setting ebony into epoxy, seal it first and keep fine black dust off light-colored resin or it will smudge into the pour.
Durability, stability and Florida humidity
Very durable and resistant to decay, though it is prone to surface checking as it dries. Small pieces are stable once seasoned. In Florida humidity, store it inside and seal end grain on any larger stock.
Shop notes from our Fort Myers shop
Ebony is an accent wood, not a slab wood. It is sold mostly in small blanks, fretboard stock and short boards at a high price. Use it for pulls, splines, inlay strips and pen blanks, where a little goes a long way. We do not stock it, but ask us and we can often source small pieces. Clean up the black sanding dust before you move on to light woods in the same project.
Common uses for Gaboon Ebony
Musical instrument parts (fretboards, piano keys), inlay, carvings, knife handles, pulls, chess pieces and turned objects.
Sustainability and CITES status
Not listed in the CITES Appendices (the CITES ebony listing covers only Madagascar Diospyros populations). Listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Ask for legally sourced stock.
Safety and toxicity
- Skin irritation
- Sensitizer (allergy builds with exposure)
- Eye irritation
- Respiratory / asthma
Ebony dust is a well-known irritant. Eye, skin and airway reactions are common, and some people become allergic over time. The fine black dust gets everywhere, so collect it at the source.
- In the shop
- Full precautions: dust extraction, respirator, gloves and long sleeves
- Food contact
- Not recommended for cutting boards, bowls and utensils
General information, not medical advice. See a doctor if you have a reaction.
Ebony dust commonly irritates eyes, skin and airways, and it is a known sensitizer. Use dust collection and a respirator, especially when sanding.
Gaboon Ebony in stock now
Ask us. We can often source it.
We don't have Gaboon Ebony 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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