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Katalox
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| Botanical Name | Swartzia cubensis |
|---|---|
| Other Names | Royal Mexican Ebony |
| Main Color Group | Dark Brown |
| Grain Pattern | Even |
| Workability | Challenging |
| Avg Dry Weight - LB/FT3 | 72 |
| Avg Dry Weight - KG/M3 | 1150 |
| Janka Hardness - LBF | 3660 |
| Janka Hardness - Newtons | 16260 |
Although not a true Diospyros ebony species, Katalox earned its “Royal Mexican Ebony” nickname due to its great density (which actually supercedes all true ebonies, in that regard) and the fact that, as it ages, it turns considerably darker than when its initially cut and dried. It is known to be generally very durable, making the wood ideal for a variety of applications — although it can be very difficult difficult to resaw (density) and glue, due to its typically high natural oil content. The grains can be straight, irregular or interlocked; it’s texture ranges from fine to medium, with a nice natural luster.
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Sustainability: This species is not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, but its supply has been impacted by recent epidemic poaching across Central America (in particular, Mexico).
Common Uses: Inlays, fine furniture and cabinetry, flooring, guitar building, turnings, and other small specialty items.
Comments: Katalox is one of the most dense woods in the world. Despite its somewhat uncooperative working characteristics, its stability and handsome appearance makes the wood a popular choice with guitar luthiers and fine funrniture craftsmen, alike. Its heartwood is among the most durable of all the exotics in the world, but the sapwood can be susceptible to bug holes.
Species Description: Wood Species
| Image | Price | Grade | Dimensions | SKU | Buy | Description | hf:att:pa_grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | $39.41 | AB | 44.56 × 4.25 × 1.13 in | KATALOX1044 | | Planner skip. | ab |
 | $39.74 | A | 41.19 × 4.25 × 1.13 in | KATALOX1043 | | Clear two face. | a |
 | $34.50 | A | 36 × 4.5 × 1.06 in | KATALOX1042 | | Clear two face. | a |
 | $38.11 | A | 28.63 × 6.25 × 1.06 in | KATALOX1041 | | Nice figure. | a |
 | $39.43 | AB | 41.25 × 5.19 × 1 in | KATALOX1040 | | Small hole one side. | ab |
 | $45.61 | A | 44.25 × 5.13 × 1 in | KATALOX1039 | | Small checks. | a |
 | $48.91 | AB | 45.81 × 5.13 × 1.13 in | KATALOX1038 | | Planer skip. | ab |
 | $99.28 | AB | 67.81 × 7.5 × 1.06 in | KATALOX1037 | | Checks one side. | ab |
 | $93.08 | AB | 49.31 × 10.25 × 1 in | KATALOX1036 | | 3.5” crack. Checks. | ab |
 | $59.92 | AB | 43.38 × 7.5 × 1 in | KATALOX1035 | | Checks on end. | ab |
 | $29.30 | A | 34.81 × 4.19 × 1 in | KATALOX1034 | | Clear two face. | a |
 | $35.24 | A | 28.06 × 6.25 × 1 in | KATALOX1033 | | Clear two face. | a |
 | $46.59 | AB | 60.38 × 4.19 × 1 in | KATALOX1032 | | Defect near edge. | ab |
 | $58.63 | A | 61.44 × 4.75 × 1 in | KATALOX1031 | | Clear both sides. | a |
 | $49.02 | A | 61 × 4 × 1 in | KATALOX1030 | | Light checks on one end. | a |
 | $52.18 | A | 51.94 × 5 × 0.88 in | KATALOX1029 | | Clear both sides. | a |
 | $13.00 – $24.00 | A | 18 × 2 × 2 in | TURNKATA1001 | | Our Katalox turning squares come in range of sizes and are excellent quality lumber. The sizes are all rough-guides, but are basically accurate. If you have very strict size criteria, please just drop us an email to confirm they will meet your expectations. The photographs are representative of the stock you will receive. You won’t typically received surfaced blanks, but we surface a few on the photographs to give you an idea of what the lumber looks like.
| a |
 | $67.47 | A | 50.88 × 4.4 × 1.38 in | KATALOX1028 | | Small check one face. | a |
 | $53.63 | B | 50.25 × 4.25 × 1.5 in | KATALOX1027 | | Crack on edge. Small wormholes. | b |
 | $53.90 | B | 49 × 4.38 × 1.38 in | KATALOX1026 | | Spalted. Wormholes. | b |
 | $67.13 | A | 49.5 × 4.5 × 1.38 in | KATALOX1025 | | Knot near edge. | a |
 | $54.72 | A | 72.63 × 3.75 × 1 in | KATALOX1024 | | Light defect on edge. | a |
 | $55.71 | AB | 64.5 × 4.69 × 1 in | KATALOX1023 | | Crack on end, small wormholes. | ab |
 | $95.10 | A | 55.69 × 8.5 × 0.88 in | KATALOX1022 | | Planer stripe. | a |
 | $80.69 | AB | 53.56 × 8.18 × 0.88 in | KATALOX1021 | | Light crack. | ab |
 | $56.72 | AB | 44 × 7 × 0.875 in | KATALOX1020 | | Checks both ends. | ab |
 | $53.82 | AB | 41.75 × 7 × 0.875 in | KATALOX1019 | | Checks both ends. | ab |
 | $34.34 | AAA | 37.125 × 4.25 × 0.937 in | KATALOX1018 | | Small amount of sapwood on one edge. | aaa |
 | $37.57 | AB | 48 × 4.25 × 0.937 in | KATALOX1017 | | Checks on one face. | ab |
 | $38.16 | A | 37.062 × 5.125 × 0.937 in | KATALOX1016 | | Cracks on one end. | a |
 | $55.28 | AAA | 48.375 × 5.25 × 0.937 in | KATALOX1015 | | Small amount of sapwood on one edge. | aaa |
 | $38.68 | AAA | 41.812 × 4.25 × 0.937 in | KATALOX1014 | | Sapwood on one edge. | aaa |
 | $39.24 | AAA | 43.062 × 4.187 × 0.937 in | KATALOX1013 | | Clear no defects. | aaa |
 | $20.00 | A | 21 × 3 × 0.3 in | FINGERKAT1001 | | Katalox Fingerboard 21″ x 3.0″ x 0.30″ (minimum) Manufactured with luthiers in mind, but excellent blanks for box-making and other smaller items Photographs are representative of what you will receive | a |
 | $83.44 | AAA | 75.5 × 4.062 × 1.187 in | KATALOX1012 | | Beautiful piece! | aaa |
 | $73.96 | A | 73.625 × 4 × 1.25 in | KATALOX1011 | | Sapwood on one edge with small worm holes. | a |
 | $55.20 | AAA | 49.187 × 4.125 × 1.25 in | KATALOX1010 | | Clear two face. | aaa |
 | $48.19 | AB | 49.25 × 4.25 × 1.187 in | KATALOX1009 | | Checking on one end and sapwood with small worm holes. | ab |
 | $44.70 | B | 44.5 × 6 × 0.875 in | KATALOX1008 | | Crack on one end with some sapwood. | b |
 | $48.62 | AB | 44 × 6 × 0.875 in | KATALOX1007 | | Crack on one end with some sapwood. | ab |
 | $84.75 | A | 50.375 × 4.187 × 2 in | KATALOX1006 | | Sapwood on one edge with slight surface feathering. | a |
 | $75.96 | AB | 49.25 × 4.187 × 2 in | KATALOX1005 | | Sapwood on one face. | ab |
 | $45.29 | AB | 48.3 × 5.1 × 0.9 in | KATALOX1004 | | Wormhole | ab |
 | $34.57 | A | 33.8 × 5.1 × 0.9 in | KATALOX1003 | | Pretty | a |
 | $37.06 | A | 44 × 4.2 × 0.9 in | KATALOX1002 | | Tapers to 4″ | a |
 | $36.48 | A | 42.3 × 4.3 × 0.9 in | KATALOX1001 | | Nice | a |
Although we don't have any listed pieces for this species available in our online store, add this species to your Quote Request and we'll get back to you with availability in our warehouse.