Iroko

Iroko is a versatile hardwood prized for its golden to medium brown heartwood with darker streaks and a straight to interlocked grain, offering both strength and aesthetic appeal. Native to West Africa, Iroko is valued for its durability, stability, and natural resistance to decay, making it ideal for artisan woodworking and decorative projects.

Its straight grain allows Iroko to machine, turn, and sand cleanly, producing a polished surface that showcases its natural color and subtle figure. Perfect for pen blanks, knife handles, turned objects, inlays, small furniture accents, and specialty crafts, Iroko combines functional strength with exotic appeal.

Botanical Information

Scientific Name: Milicia excelsa

Family: Moraceae

Origin: West Africa (Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria)

Common & Trade Names

Iroko, African Teak, Odum, Iroko Wood

Key Characteristics

Heartwood: golden to medium brown, sometimes with darker streaks

Sapwood: pale, clearly defined

Straight to interlocked grain

Medium to coarse texture

Durable, stable, and moderately dense

Natural polished luster

Workability

Machines, sands, and turns easily

Accepts stains, oils, and finishes well

Glues and polishes reliably

Ideal for small precision and decorative projects

Health & Safety Note

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

Iroko wood, Milicia excelsa, African hardwood, exotic hardwood blanks, pen blank wood, knife handle wood, turning wood, decorative hardwood, artisan craft wood