Wood Species Guide
Katalox
Swartzia cubensis
Also called: Mexican Royal Ebony, Catalox, Wamara (shared)
About the name “Katalox”
Katalox is sometimes sold as wamara, but wamara is mostly used for related Swartzia species from the Guianas. They look much alike, very dark and very heavy.
What Katalox looks like
Very dark brown to near black, sometimes with reddish or purplish streaks. The sapwood is pale yellow and sharply separated.
Grain and texture
Fine, even texture with straight to slightly interlocked grain and a natural shine.
Working Katalox: planing, cutting and gluing
This is one of the hardest woods you'll put through a saw, and it dulls blades quickly. Carbide tooling, slow feed rates and shallow passes are a must. Interlocked areas can tear out, so sanding or scraping finishes the job. Glue joints need clean, freshly machined surfaces; epoxy glue is a safe bet.
Finishing Katalox: oil, film finishes and epoxy
It polishes to a high shine with just abrasives and wax. Oil and film finishes work, though the density means very little soaks in. Epoxy bonds fine on freshly sanded surfaces.
Durability, stability and Florida humidity
Extremely durable and resistant to decay and insects. Very stable once dry. Florida humidity is not much of a concern for it indoors.
Shop notes from our Fort Myers shop
Katalox is an ebony substitute for small parts: inlay, knife handles, fingerboards, pulls and turnings. It is too heavy and hard for most people to want a full tabletop. Use it for contrast against maple, ash or light epoxy. We don't stock it, but ask us and we can often source it.
Common uses for Katalox
Fingerboards, inlay, handles, turnings, pool cues, small accents, flooring in some markets.
Sustainability and CITES status
Not listed in the CITES Appendices.
Safety and toxicity
- Respiratory / asthma
Breathing irritation from the fine dust is the main complaint reported. Few reports exist beyond that, but the wood is very hard and the dust is fine, so control it at the source.
- In the shop
- Dust collection + respirator 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.
Respiratory irritation has been reported. Use dust collection and a respirator.
Katalox in stock now
Ask us. We can often source it.
We don't have Katalox 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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