Name: Wenge - Box Making
SKU: 11666
Availability: InStock

Description

Wenge (Millettia laurentii)

A truly dramatic and luxurious hardwood, artisans prize Wenge for its exceptional depth of colour and striking texture. The heartwood presents a very dark brown, so deep it can appear nearly black. Furthermore, fine, pencil-thin, blackish lines accent this deep colour. In fact, when you quartersaw the timber, these lines create a bold, linear pattern that is both modern and sophisticated. Consequently, its density and colour make it a premium choice for high-end projects.

Perfect for Box Making:

For box makers specifically, Wenge’s deep, dark colouring provides a powerful and elegant statement, making it perfect for creating luxurious boxes with a commanding presence. Its natural contrast is stunning, making it ideal for projects such as:

High-end watch, jewellery, and keepsake boxes.
Creating a bold contrast with lighter timbers, for instance, using it with Rock Maple for inlays and segmented designs.
Lids or entire boxes that have a modern, minimalist aesthetic.
Projects where you want a naturally black appearance without using ebonising stains.

Working Properties:

Wenge is a dense and robust timber; however, it requires significant care and attention to detail to achieve the best results.

Workability: This timber can be challenging to work. For instance, it has a tendency to splinter easily, so you must take care during handling and machining. Therefore, you must pre-drill for all screws. The interlocking grain can also cause tear-out; for this reason, we advise using very sharp tools and taking shallow passes.
Dust Safety: Crucially, you must manage dust safely. Wenge dust is a known sensitiser and can cause respiratory and skin irritation. Consequently, we strongly suggest using a high-quality dust extraction system and appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including a respirator and long sleeves.
Finishing: Regarding the finish, Wenge has large, open pores. To achieve a glass-smooth surface, you will need to use a grain filler. However, many woodworkers prefer a more natural oil finish, which beautifully maintains the wood’s texture while deepening its dark colour.
Gluing: Finally, it glues well. Due to its density, simply ensure you machine the jointing surfaces freshly and keep them clean to create a strong bond.

Specifications:

Common Names: Wenge
Botanical Name: Millettia laurentii
Origin: Central and West Africa
Appearance: A very dark brown, almost black, heartwood with distinctive, fine black streaks and coarse, open pores.

We have more Wenge sizes available here.

A Note on Our Wood Products

Please remember that the photos you see are indicative only. As a beautiful, natural material, wood inherently varies in grain, color, and figure. While we meticulously select outstanding pieces to send your way, each item will possess its own unique charm. We believe these natural variations are part of what makes our wood products so special and truly one-of-a-kind.

Our Commitment to Quality

At Trend Timbers, we are committed to providing woodworkers with the highest quality materials. All our timber is sourced from sustainable, ecologically responsible forests and is kiln-dried to meet stringent Australian standards. Our hand-selected range includes premium species suitable for everyone, from novice enthusiasts to seasoned artisans.

Project Advice & Support

For projects requiring dimensions larger than our listed sizes or you require further information about a particular species, including custom sizing or current availability, our knowledgeable staff is here to assist. Please do not hesitate to contact us directly for expert advice.

Visit Our Showroom

In addition to our online store, Trend Timbers offers an even wider selection of beautiful species and woodcraft supplies, including turning and carving blanks. We warmly invite you to visit our showroom to experience our full range firsthand and see the unique character of our timbers up close. We are always inspired to see where our timber ends up, so feel free to share your finished projects with us when you visit.