Cumaru

Cumaru, often called Brazilian Teak, is a dense and durable hardwood prized for its rich golden-brown to deep reddish-brown heartwood with subtle darker streaks and fine to medium texture. Native to South America, particularly Brazil, Colombia, and Venezuela, Cumaru is celebrated for its exceptional strength, stability, and natural resistance to wear and decay, making it ideal for artisan woodworking and high-end decorative projects.

Its straight to interlocked grain allows Cumaru to machine, turn, and sand cleanly, producing a polished surface that highlights its warm tones and natural figure. Perfect for pen blanks, knife handles, turned objects, inlays, flooring, and small furniture accents, Cumaru combines beauty, functionality, and long-lasting performance.

Botanical Information

Scientific Name: Dipteryx odorata

Family: Fabaceae

Origin: South America (Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela)

Common & Trade Names

Cumaru, Brazilian Teak, Tonka Bean Wood, South American Hardwood

Key Characteristics

Heartwood: golden-brown to deep reddish-brown with darker streaks

Sapwood: pale, clearly defined

Grain: straight to interlocked

Texture: fine to medium

Very dense, hard, and durable

Natural luster, smooth finish

Workability

Dense and hard; sharp tools recommended

Machines, sands, and turns well

Accepts stains, oils, and finishes beautifully

Glues and polishes reliably

Excellent for precision and decorative projects

Health & Safety Note

Cumaru wood dust may cause skin, eye, or respiratory irritation. Use proper dust extraction, respirator, and eye protection when machining or sanding.

Cumaru wood, Dipteryx odorata, Brazilian Teak, South American hardwood, pen blank wood, knife handle wood, turning wood, decorative hardwood, artisan craft wood