1x 4 x 4
Beautiful Figure, Fine Texture & Exceptional Turning Performance
Ababa is a rare and attractive African hardwood prized for its warm golden-brown to reddish-brown heartwood, fine texture, and excellent machining characteristics. Native to the tropical forests of West Africa, Ababa offers outstanding stability, natural luster, and subtle grain patterns that make it an exceptional choice for woodturners, pen makers, knife makers, and fine woodworking artisans.
Its straight to slightly interlocked grain allows for clean cuts and crisp detail, while its fine, even texture produces a silky-smooth finish. Whether left natural or enhanced with oil, wax, or CA finish, Ababa develops a rich appearance that highlights its unique character and timeless beauty.
Perfect for custom pens, knife handles, bottle stoppers, duck calls, game calls, decorative turnings, carvings, and heirloom-quality woodworking projects, Ababa delivers premium performance and elegant results.
Botanical Information
Scientific Name: Anthonotha fragrans
Family: Fabaceae
Origin: West Africa (Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Cameroon, and neighboring countries)
Common & Trade Names
Ababa
African Ababa
Anthonotha fragrans
Key Characteristics
Golden-brown to reddish-brown heartwood
Pale yellow to cream sapwood
Straight to slightly interlocked grain
Fine, uniform texture
Moderate natural luster
Good dimensional stability
Durable hardwood with excellent finishing qualities
Workability
Ababa machines, turns, drills, and sands exceptionally well with sharp tools. It holds fine details, develops a smooth polished surface, and readily accepts oils, waxes, lacquer, and CA finishes, making it ideal for precision turning and decorative woodworking.
Health & Safety Information
Wood dust from Ababa may cause skin, eye, and respiratory irritation in sensitive individuals. As with all hardwoods, proper dust collection, eye protection, and a NIOSH-approved respirator are recommended when cutting, sanding, or turning this wood.
CITES Status
Ababa (Anthonotha fragrans) is not currently listed under the CITES Appendices, although responsible sourcing is always encouraged.
Ideal Uses
Pen blanks
Fountain pen blanks
Rollerball pen blanks
Knife handle scales
Bottle stopper blanks
Duck calls
Game calls
Decorative turnings
Carvings
Inlays
Fine woodworking
Custom gifts
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