KOKO

Koko is a tropical hardwood prized for its rich golden-brown to deep reddish-brown heartwood with dark streaks and fine, interlocked grain, creating a luxurious and visually striking material. Native to West Africa, Koko is valued for its durability, stability, and fine texture, making it ideal for artisan woodworking and decorative projects.

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

Botanical Information

Scientific Name: Tieghemella africana

Family: Sapotaceae

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

Common & Trade Names

Koko, African Koko, Koko Wood, Dahoma, Tieghemella

Key Characteristics

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

Sapwood: pale, clearly defined

Straight to interlocked grain

Fine to medium texture

Dense, stable, and durable

Smooth natural luster

Workability

Dense; requires sharp tools

Machines, sands, and turns well

Accepts stains, oils, and finishes beautifully

Glues and polishes reliably

Ideal for precision and decorative projects

Health & Safety Note

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

Koko wood, Tieghemella africana, African hardwood, exotic hardwood blanks, pen blank wood, knife handle wood, turning wood, decorative hardwood, artisan craft wood