The Katalox is a beautiful wood with a high hardness and a tight and dense grain, so the results when polishing it are very beautiful. This characteristic makes it a wood that is also widely used in lathe or decorative projects. In addition, its hardness provides a long durability and it hardly suffers from wear and tear when used for fingerboards and guitar bodies. Its tonal response is very harmonic, similar to that of African Blackwood.
BOTANIC NAME: Swartzia cubensis
COMERCIAL NAME: Katalox, Mexican Royal Ebony
ORIGIN: Central America and northern South America
DESCRIPTION: Density 1150kg/m3. Heartwood is dark reddish brown to nearly black, sometimes with a strong purple hue.
RECOMMENDATIONS: Is considered difficult to work on account of its hardness, especially when brushing. Gluing can be problematic due to the natural oils of the wood. The use of Titebond III ultimate waterproof is recommended. We recommend the use of respiratory protection when working.
DRYING: The drying speed varies from normal to slow, drying well on small sizes and presenting a tendency to crack or bend.
USES: Musical instruments, interior carpentry, joinery.
