Trade Names
Ovangkol, Daniela, Amazakoue
Similar Woods
Mutenye, Bubinga, European Walnut
Origin
West Africa
Range
Most of the time the trees grow scattered but sometimes they are found together with trees of other kinds of the Guibourtia family.
Uses
Ovangkol is an often used wood for veneering. Outside Africa it is often used as a substitute for Walnut on account of its price. Almost 100% of it is produced in quarters. Intensively and well-veined veneers are seldom and, therefore, get used for high-class interior fittings. In Africa itself, large quantities of Ovangkol get peeled for the production of plywood. Furthermore, Ovangkol is used as a special wood for profiled lumber and intarsia, for turning and carving, but also for rifle stocks and musical instrument parts.
Properties
Ovangkol is of an intensive brownish colour with a very nice shine. The stronger the veining, the more valuable is the wood. Ovangkol should not get in touch with metal as such contact will lead to metal corrosion and thus to a bluish discoloration of the wood. Furthermore, the wood is interactive biologically and can cause skin irritation.
Machining
In general, Ovangkol can be worked easily. There are no problems in sawing, planing, molding or cutting. The same goes for turning and carving.
Seasoning
At first, the wood of the Guibourtia species is very suitable for air-drying. To reach the desired end-humidity, however, a technical drying process must follow whereby a slow proceeding is mandatory. The wood shows a good sturdiness.
Finishing
After finishing, the surface of the wood often shows inclusions which should be brushed out before applying the lacquer to ensure a good combination with the wood. Sanding and staining cause no further problems.
Jointing
Absorption of glue is good and causes no problems when pressing the wood.