Wood Species Guide
Ovangkol
Guibourtia ehie
Also called: Shedua, Amazique, Amazoue, Amazakoue, Hyedua, Ehie
What Ovangkol looks like
Golden to medium brown with dark brown to near-black streaks. It looks a bit like a cross between walnut and rosewood.
Grain and texture
Medium texture with interlocked grain and good luster. Figured and curly boards turn up regularly.
Working Ovangkol: planing, cutting and gluing
Works reasonably well but interlocked grain can tear out when planing, and it has enough silica to dull edges over a long run. Sharp tools and light passes help. Glues well.
Finishing Ovangkol: oil, film finishes and epoxy
Finishes nicely with oil, which deepens the streaking, or a film finish. For epoxy, use a thin seal coat to settle the pores before the main pour.
Durability, stability and Florida humidity
Moderately durable and reasonably stable once dry. Best kept indoors; in Florida, acclimate it and finish all sides equally.
Shop notes from our Fort Myers shop
Ovangkol is a good-looking, fairly priced import for furniture, cabinetry and accents, and luthiers use it as a rosewood alternative. Curly boards make beautiful panels and box tops. We do not stock it routinely, but ask us and we can often source it.
Common uses for Ovangkol
Furniture, cabinetry, flooring, veneer, musical instruments (guitar backs and sides), turned objects.
Sustainability and CITES status
Not listed in the CITES Appendices. Reported as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Safety and toxicity
- No common reactions reported
Few reports. No reactions beyond ordinary wood dust irritation are reported, though some related African woods are sensitizers.
- In the shop
- Dust collection + dust 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.
No unusual reactions beyond the normal risks of wood dust. Dust collection and a mask are still recommended.
Ovangkol in stock now
Ask us. We can often source it.
We don't have Ovangkol 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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