Padauk
Uses: Furniture (indoor), Cabinets, flooring, veneer
Sources: Western Africa
Characteristics: Coarse Texture, good interlocked grain
Workability: Machines well with carbide blades or bits.
Finishing: Very clean finish and good stain absorber
Price: Moderate to Expensive
Zebrawood
Uses: Good for inlay, furniture, cabinetry
Sources: Western Africa
Characteristics: Interlocked grain, light and dark patterns
Workability: Machines well with carbide blades or bits. Will dull quicker
Finishing: Hard to stain evenly
Price: Expensive
Wenge
Uses: Inlay, Decorative Veneer
Sources: Africa
Characteristics: Heavy, dense, straight grain, coarse
Workability: Machines well with carbide blades or bits. Need to drill pilot holes before screws.
Finishing: Fill in pores, but after very clean finish and good stain absorber
Price: Moderate
Honduras Mahogany
Uses: Furniture (Indoor & Outdoor), Veneer, boating
Sources: Central and South America
Characteristics: Straight grain, interlock grain
Workability: Machines well with carbide blades or bits.
Finishing: Very clean finish and good stain absorber
Price: Moderate
Purpleheart
Uses: Inlays, Furniture (indoor & outdoor), pool cues
Sources: Central and South America
Characteristics: Straight grain, coarse texture
Workability: Very high in gum deposits, difficult to machine will dull blades and bits.
Finishing: Very clean finish and good stain absorber
Price: Moderate
Teak
Uses: Boats, Furniture (indoor & outdoor), flooring
Sources: Southern Asia, Africa, Caribbean
Characteristics: Dense, Hard, Straight Grain, Oily texture.
Workability: Oil surface, need to clean before applying adhesives.
Finishing: Good for oil finishes
Price: Expensive
Rosewood
Uses: Furniture, Cabinets, flooring, veneer, musical instruments
Sources: Mostly Southern India
Characteristics: Interlocked grain coarse texture.
Workability: Machines well with carbide blades or bits. Will dull blades quicker.
Finishing: Very clean finish and good stain absorber
Price: Expensive