Wood Species Guide

Wenge

Millettia laurentii

Also called: Wengé, Awong, Dikela, Bokonge, Mibotu

Wenge is a heavy, nearly black African hardwood with fine tan stripes. It's the modern-design favorite for dark contrast, but it's splintery and needs care in the shop.
ImportHardwoodColorful Import Hardwoods
Good forOutdoor & Rot-ResistantGuitars & Tonewoods

What Wenge looks like

Dark chocolate brown to nearly black with fine lighter tan lines. Fresh-cut surfaces look lighter and browner, then darken with exposure. With a clear finish it reads as deep espresso.

Grain and texture

Straight grain with a very coarse, open texture. The alternating dark and light tissue gives a distinctive striped look, especially on flatsawn faces.

Working Wenge: planing, cutting and gluing

Hard, splintery and heavy. It cuts fine with carbide, but the edges splinter easily, so ease edges early and handle it with gloves. It can tear out on the planer and dulls tools. It's brittle in thin parts, so watch it on small tenons.

Finishing Wenge: oil, film finishes and epoxy

The pores are big and open. For a smooth film finish you'll need grain filler, and before epoxy you'll need a good seal coat or the pores will keep pushing out bubbles. Many builders just use oil and leave the pores showing. Wipe glue joints well; dark dust also packs into light woods next to it.

Durability, stability and Florida humidity

Rated very durable against decay, with good termite resistance. It's reasonably stable. In Florida it does fine indoors when acclimated and finished on all faces.

Shop notes from our Fort Myers shop

We carry wenge lumber. It's a striking contrast wood next to maple, white oak or ash in cutting boards (end-grain boards hold up fine), shelves and modern furniture. Wear gloves when handling rough boards because the splinters are nasty and slow to heal. Sand with a vacuum attachment, since the dust packs into the pores of lighter woods.

Common uses for Wenge

Modern furniture, flooring, accent strips, cutting boards, guitar necks and fingerboards, turnings and veneer.

Sustainability and CITES status

Not listed in the CITES Appendices as of our last check. It is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List because of overharvesting and habitat loss, so buy from suppliers who can document legal sourcing.

Safety and toxicity

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

Wenge dust is a common cause of skin, eye and breathing reactions, and many woodworkers become allergic to it. Its splinters are sharp and often get infected, so pull them right away and keep the wound clean.

In the shop
Dust extraction + respirator, gloves and long sleeves; handle edges carefully
Food contact
Not recommended for cutting boards, bowls and utensils

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

Wenge dust commonly irritates eyes, skin and airways, and many woodworkers become allergic to it over time. Splinters are sharp, heal slowly and can get infected. Use dust extraction, a respirator, gloves and long sleeves.

Wood toxicity and dust safety guide: every species compared

Wenge 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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