Pau Ferro

1.5 x 1.5 x 6

Pau Ferro Wood (Machaerium scleroxylon) is a distinctive South American hardwood admired for its rich coloration, dramatic grain patterns, exceptional hardness, and beautiful polished appearance. Commonly known as Bolivian Rosewood, Pau Ferro is highly valued by woodturners, pen makers, knife makers, musical instrument builders, and fine woodworkers seeking an exotic hardwood with the appearance of rosewood and its own unique characteristics.

Its heartwood typically ranges from golden brown and reddish brown to deep chocolate brown, often accented by dark brown or nearly black streaks. Some pieces display bold, irregular grain patterns, while others feature more subtle, flowing lines.

Pau Ferro is especially appealing for custom pens, knife handles, bottle stoppers, game calls, jewelry, decorative turnings, and fine woodworking accents. Its dense structure, attractive natural luster, and ability to develop a smooth finish make it an excellent choice for projects where both appearance and durability matter.

For craftsmen who appreciate richly colored tropical hardwoods, Pau Ferro offers a sophisticated combination of natural beauty, strength, and versatility.

Botanical Information

Botanical Name: Machaerium scleroxylon Tul.

Family: Fabaceae (Leguminosae)

Genus: Machaerium

Species: Machaerium scleroxylon

Wood Type: Tropical hardwood

Native Origin: Tropical South America, particularly Bolivia and Brazil

Wood Group: Machaerium hardwood

Botanical Note: Pau Ferro is a trade name that may occasionally be applied to other species. This listing specifically identifies the wood as Machaerium scleroxylon, the species commonly marketed as Bolivian Rosewood.

Common & Trade Names

Pau Ferro, Pau Ferro Wood, Bolivian Rosewood, Santos Rosewood, Morado, Morado Wood, Caviuna, and Machaerium scleroxylon.

Important: Despite names such as Bolivian Rosewood and Santos Rosewood, Pau Ferro is not a true rosewood of the genus Dalbergia. It belongs to the related genus Machaerium.

The name Pau Ferro is also used for other unrelated hardwoods in some regional markets, making botanical identification important.

Origin & Distribution

Pau Ferro is native to tropical regions of South America, particularly Bolivia and Brazil.

The species grows in tropical and seasonally dry forest environments and is valued for its dense, richly colored heartwood.

Pau Ferro has become popular in specialty woodworking because of its striking appearance and excellent mechanical properties.

It is frequently used for musical instrument components, furniture, flooring, decorative veneers, and fine woodworking.

For woodturners and small-project craftsmen, Pau Ferro offers the same attractive grain and rich coloration in compact blanks suitable for pens, handles, calls, and decorative objects.

Color & Appearance

Pau Ferro is prized for its beautiful range of warm brown and reddish tones.

Heartwood may display:

Golden brown

Reddish brown

Medium chocolate brown

Dark chocolate brown

Purplish-brown undertones

Dark brown streaks

Nearly black grain lines

The sapwood is typically much lighter, often appearing pale yellow or cream.

Some pieces show relatively straight, uniform grain, while others display bold, irregular streaking and dramatic color contrast.

Freshly worked surfaces may show brighter reddish or golden tones, which can deepen or mellow with exposure to light and air.

Clear finishes enhance the wood's natural depth and emphasize its attractive grain patterns.

Grain & Texture

Pau Ferro generally features a fine to medium texture with grain that may be straight, irregular, or interlocked.

Common characteristics include:

Fine to medium texture

Straight to interlocked grain

Attractive dark streaking

Rich natural color variation

Dense wood structure

Moderate natural luster

Excellent polishing potential

Its fine texture allows carefully prepared surfaces to develop a smooth, polished appearance.

Interlocked grain can occasionally cause tear-out during machining, making sharp tools and controlled cutting techniques important.

Wood Characteristics

Pau Ferro is a heavy, hard tropical hardwood with excellent wear resistance.

Representative characteristics for Machaerium scleroxylon include:

Average Dried Weight: Approximately 54 lbs/ft³ (865 kg/m³)

Specific Gravity: Approximately 0.69 basic / 0.87 at 12% moisture content

Janka Hardness: Approximately 1,960 lbf (8,720 N)

Grain: Straight to interlocked

Texture: Fine to medium

Natural Luster: Moderate

Color: Golden brown to reddish brown with dark streaking

These figures are representative species values. Individual blanks may vary depending on moisture content, growing conditions, and grain structure.

Stability & Durability

Properly dried Pau Ferro generally offers good dimensional stability and excellent wear resistance.

Its dense structure makes it suitable for items that benefit from a hard, durable surface.

Pau Ferro is also regarded as having good natural decay resistance, although performance depends on exposure conditions and the individual piece.

Like all hardwoods, Pau Ferro responds to changes in moisture and humidity.

For precision projects such as pens, knife handles, and game calls, properly seasoned and acclimated material is recommended.

Workability & Woodturning

Pau Ferro is highly valued for woodturning and fine woodworking, although its density and occasional interlocked grain can make machining more demanding than with softer hardwoods.

Sharp tools and controlled cutting techniques are recommended.

Working considerations include:

Use sharp turning tools and cutters.

Take light, controlled cuts to minimize tear-out.

Drill carefully and clear chips frequently.

Avoid excessive heat during drilling and sanding.

Use appropriate dust extraction.

Allow blanks to acclimate before precision machining.

Pau Ferro is particularly appealing for:

Custom pens

Pen turning blanks

Knife handles

Knife scales

Bottle stoppers

Duck calls

Game calls

Decorative turnings

Jewelry

Small boxes

Custom handles

Musical instrument components

Fine woodworking accents

Its combination of density, attractive grain, and polished appearance makes it an excellent choice for premium small woodworking projects.

Finishing

Pau Ferro can develop a beautiful, smooth finish that enhances its rich coloration and dark streaking.

Suitable finishing options include:

Cyanoacrylate (CA) finishes for pens

Shellac

Lacquer

Polyurethane

Hardwax oils

Selected oil finishes

Wax and polishing compounds

Like many dense tropical hardwoods, Pau Ferro may contain natural oils and extractives that can interfere with certain adhesives or finishes.

Surface preparation and testing are recommended.

Clear finishes can deepen its reddish-brown and chocolate-brown tones while emphasizing the contrast of darker grain lines.

Ideal Uses

Pau Ferro wood blanks are excellent for:

Premium pen blanks and custom pens

Knife handles and knife scales

Bottle stoppers

Duck calls and game calls

Decorative woodturning

Jewelry and accessories

Small boxes

Custom handles

Musical instrument components

Inlays and decorative trim

Fine carving

Specialty woodworking

Artistic and collectible projects

Health & Safety

Pau Ferro wood dust can cause irritation and allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

The species has been associated with skin sensitization, and repeated exposure to wood dust may increase the risk of developing a reaction.

Potential concerns include:

Skin Irritation: Dust may cause itching, redness, or contact dermatitis.

Respiratory Irritation: Fine airborne particles may irritate the nose, throat, and lungs.

Eye Irritation: Dust may cause redness or discomfort.

Sensitization: Repeated exposure may increase sensitivity in susceptible individuals.

When cutting, sanding, drilling, or turning Pau Ferro:

Use effective dust extraction.

Wear properly fitted respiratory protection appropriate for fine wood dust.

Use eye protection and a face shield when turning.

Avoid prolonged skin contact with wood dust.

Maintain good workshop ventilation.

Clean dust using extraction rather than compressed air.

Individuals with known sensitivities to tropical hardwoods should take particular care.

CITES & Conservation

Pau Ferro (Machaerium scleroxylon) is not generally listed under CITES.

Although commonly marketed as Bolivian Rosewood or Santos Rosewood, it is not a member of the Dalbergia genus and should not automatically be assigned the same CITES restrictions that apply to many true rosewoods.

However, harvesting, export, and import requirements may still apply under national or regional forestry laws.

Responsible sourcing and accurate botanical identification remain important.

International buyers should verify current trade regulations and any required documentation.

Interesting Facts

Not a True Rosewood: Despite the name Bolivian Rosewood, Pau Ferro belongs to the genus Machaerium, not Dalbergia.

Meaning of Pau Ferro: The Portuguese name translates to "ironwood," reflecting the wood's hardness and density.

Musical Instrument Favorite: Pau Ferro is widely used for guitar fingerboards, bridges, and other instrument components.

Beautiful Natural Streaking: Its dark grain lines can create dramatic patterns resembling certain rosewoods.

Excellent Polishing Potential: Its dense, fine texture can produce a smooth, lustrous finished surface.

Durable Hardwood: Pau Ferro's hardness and wear resistance make it useful for both decorative and functional projects.

Why Choose Pau Ferro Wood?

Pau Ferro combines rich natural coloration, dramatic dark streaking, exceptional hardness, and beautiful finishing potential in one premium South American hardwood.

Its golden-brown, reddish-brown, and chocolate-brown tones create an elegant appearance, while its darker grain lines give each piece distinctive character.

For pen makers, knife makers, woodturners, instrument builders, and fine craftsmen, Pau Ferro offers an attractive alternative to traditional rosewoods.

Whether you're turning a custom pen, crafting a knife handle, making a bottle stopper, or creating a decorative piece, Pau Ferro provides natural beauty, strength, and excellent polishing potential.

Oakbrook Wood Turning Supply offers Pau Ferro Wood for craftsmen seeking distinctive exotic hardwood blanks with rich color, beautiful grain, and dependable woodworking performance.

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