Katalox

Katalox is a very hard yet truly beautiful wood. It has a tight and dense grain, resulting in a stunning finish once polished. This characteristic also makes it widely used in turning or decorative projects. Moreover, its hardness provides long-term durability, showing virtually no wear even after extended use in fretboards and guitar bodies. Its tonal response is very harmonic, similar to African Blackwood.

BOTANICAL NAME: Swartzia cubensis

COMMON NAMES: Mexican Ebony

ORIGIN: Central and South America

DESCRIPTION: Density 1,150 kg/m³. The heartwood is reddish-brown, nearly black in some cases, with a deep purple hue.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Somewhat challenging to work with due to its hardness, especially when brushing. Gluing can be problematic due to the wood’s natural oils. Using Titebond III Ultimate Waterproof is recommended. Respiratory protection is also advised when working with it.

DRYING: Drying speed ranges from normal to slow, dries well in small formats, and has a tendency to crack or warp.

USES: Musical instruments, interior carpentry, fine woodworking.

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