Katalox

Katalox is a tropical hardwood prized for its deep purplish-brown to almost black heartwood with occasional darker streaks and a fine, interlocked grain, creating a dramatic and luxurious appearance. Native to Central America, Katalox is valued for its extreme density, durability, and stability, making it ideal for high-end artisan woodworking and specialty decorative projects.

Its tight, interlocked grain allows Katalox to machine, turn, and sand cleanly, producing a polished surface that showcases its rich color and natural figure. Perfect for pen blanks, knife handles, turned objects, inlays, small furniture accents, and luxury crafts, Katalox combines aesthetic elegance with exceptional functional strength.

Botanical Information

Scientific Name: Dalbergia retusa

Family: Fabaceae

Origin: Central America (Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras)

Common & Trade Names

Katalox, Dalbergia, Central American Ebony, Brazilian Ebony (trade name sometimes used)

Key Characteristics

Heartwood: deep purplish-brown to nearly black, sometimes with darker streaks

Sapwood: pale, clearly defined

Interlocked, fine-grained texture

Extremely dense, hard, and durable

Smooth natural luster

Stable and wear-resistant

Workability

Very dense and hard; requires sharp tools

Machines, sands, and turns well with care

Accepts stains, oils, and finishes beautifully

Glues and polishes reliably

Ideal for small precision and luxury projects

Health & Safety Note

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

Katalox wood, Dalbergia retusa, Central American hardwood, exotic hardwood blanks, pen blank wood, knife handle wood, turning wood, decorative hardwood, artisan craft wood, dense hardwood