Longhi

Longhi is a tropical hardwood prized for its rich reddish-brown heartwood with darker streaks and a fine, straight grain, giving it a warm and luxurious appearance. Native to South America, particularly Brazil, Longhi is valued for its durability, stability, and smooth texture, making it ideal for artisan woodworking and decorative projects.

Its straight to slightly interlocked grain allows Longhi to machine, turn, and sand cleanly, producing a polished surface that highlights its vibrant color and subtle figure. Perfect for pen blanks, knife handles, turned objects, inlays, and small furniture accents, Longhi combines elegance with functional performance.

Botanical Information

Scientific Name: Ocotea porosa (related species, often traded as Longhi)

Family: Lauraceae

Origin: South America (Brazil)

Common & Trade Names

Longhi, Brazilian Longhi, Ocotea, Brazilian Redwood

Key Characteristics

Heartwood: rich reddish-brown with darker streaks

Sapwood: pale, clearly defined

Straight to slightly interlocked grain

Fine to medium texture

Moderate to dense; stable and durable

Smooth natural luster

Workability

Machines, sands, and turns easily

Accepts stains, oils, and finishes beautifully

Glues and polishes reliably

Ideal for small precision and decorative projects

Health & Safety Note

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

Longhi wood, Ocotea porosa, Brazilian hardwood, South American hardwood, exotic hardwood blanks, pen blank wood, knife handle wood, turning wood, decorative hardwood, artisan woodcraft