Among the various types of ebony wood, two Ebony Types are Gaboon Ebony (Diospyros crassiflora) and Indian Ebony (Diospyros ebenum). These woods are sought after for their exceptional durability, rich colors, and fine texture, but they differ in several key aspects.also These woods, available at Exotic Woods,
Gaboon Ebony
The ebony gaboon tree is native to the tropical regions of Western Africa, including Cameroon, Gabon, and Nigeria. Known for its deep jet-black appearance, Gaboon Ebony is revered for its density, hardness, and striking beauty. However, not all of this wood is pure black; it can sometimes have brown or gray streaks. These streaks affect its grading, with A-grade woods having fewer streaks and B-grade having more. Gaboon Ebony is ideal for high-end applications such as piano keys, guitars, and decorative items due to its lustrous finish.
A Piece of Gaboon Ebony Turning Blank
Indian Ebony
Indian ebonies, native to southern India and Sri Lanka, are known for their uniform black color, straight grain, and relative ease of working. Commonly referred to as East Indian Ebony or Ceylon Ebony, these woods are highly valued in markets across Australia, Japan, China, and parts of Europe. Their fine finish has made them a popular choice in the wood industry. However, quality issues such as mineral streaks, including white or silver spots and a brown tint, can sometimes affect Indian ebony. Research has shown that allowing the wood to sit for 3-4 weeks before use can help reduce these streaks. Additionally, applying dyes can further minimize the appearance of mineral streaks in Indian ebony.
Indian Ebony Fingerboard Lot
Let's discuss some of the crucial points that can differentiate both of these ebonies.
Janka Hardness
The Janka Hardness Test is one of the best measures of the ability of a wood species to withstand denting and wear. Gaboon Ebony has a rating of 3080 lbf compared to the 2430 lbf rating of Indian Ebony. Hence, Indian Ebony is 20% less hard compared to the hardness of Gaboon Ebony.
Decay Resistance(Rot Resistance)
One of the most important factors that has to be taken note of is the wood's resistance to rotting. Gaboon ebony is rated as being very durable, with good resistance to termites and other insects. The portions of the black heartwood of Indian ebony are very durable regarding decay resistance, making it a popular choice among exotic hardwoods.
The ability to work with
Gaboon ebonies are difficult to work with due to their extremely high density. Tearout can occur on pieces that have an irregular grain. It sometimes has a dulling effect on cutters. Due to the high oil content found in this wood, it can occasionally cause problems with gluing. The major attractions are that they have a good finish and polish to a high luster. It responds well to steam bending. For Indian ebonies, they are difficult to work on account of their density and strong blunting effect on cutting edges. It can be difficult to dry, with checks or other drying defects developing. Also, they are difficult to glue. Indian ebony turns superbly and takes a very high natural polish.
Cost and Availability
Gaboon ebony is considered to be one of the most expensive of all available lumbers. It is said to be about two to three times more expensive than most of the species of rosewood. The major reasons for the high demand include the small size of the tree and its popularity for ornamental work. Indian ebony was once called the original ebony of commerce. But it is seldom available today. We can expect high prices due to the scarcity of wood, which is the result of a rapid increase in wood cutting.
Odor, Common Uses
Gaboon ebony has a mildly unpleasant odor when being worked, whereas Indian ebony doesn't have any characteristic odor. Gaboon Ebony is well fond of making ornamental items, carvings, piano keys, pool cues, musical instrument parts, and other small specialty items. Indian ebony is well known for musical instrument parts, inlay, carving, and turned objects.
Comments:
Ebony trees may take approximately 150 years to reach their prime, which transforms into the finest jet-black trees. But the current situation of proliferating wood cutting without any considerations makes it difficult to get enough pure stock in the wood market. Imagine, if all of the customers are behind jet-black ebony wood, then the majority of white-streak ebonies will lay wasted in the market. We should accept the fact that all these trees are coming from nature, and there is nothing the manufacturer or supplier can do to rectify the defects.
Conclusion
In conclusion, whether you're drawn to Gaboon Ebony for its hardness and durability or Indian Ebony for its workability and consistent beauty, both ebony types provide excellent value for woodworkers and artisans. Understanding the distinctions between these types of ebony wood ensures you make the right choice for your project.
At Exotic Wood Zone, we offer a variety of ebony types and other premium hardwoods. Explore our collection today for the finest woods available for your next masterpiece.
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