Pau Ferro

Bobgunnia spp.
• Also known as |
Ironheart|Pau Ferro|Pau Rosa|Snake Bean
Pau Ferro lumber at Rare Woods USA

“Pau Ferro” means ironwood in Portuguese, and the name is used for several different woods. Ours is the East African Pau Ferro (Bobgunnia sp.), also known as Pau Rosa or Snake Bean, formerly classified in the Swartzia genus.

It has a glorious color palette: a dark brown base with reds, oranges and yellows, sometimes with deep red-purple tones. It reminds us of an African sunset. The grain is often interlocked with a moderately coarse texture and good luster.

It’s hard and heavy to work, so sharp tools and patience help, but it turns and finishes well, and the color makes it worth the effort. It’s very durable and stable once dry.

It’s used for turnings, furniture, cabinetry, flooring, knife handles and veneer. It’s different from the South American Pau Ferro used for guitar fretboards, which we sell as Morado and Santos Rosewood. See also Pau Rosa.

Not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List.

Why We Love This Wood

Have you seen the gorgeous, deep red-purple color on this wood?

Client Creations
Quick Look
Pau Ferro lumber at Rare Woods USA
PauFerro4
PauFerro1
PauFerro2
PauFerro3
https://www.rarewoodsusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/iterations-e1739159220458.jpg,Paul May http://www.rarewoodsusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/segmentedturning-paul-may-ebony-pauferro-maple.jpg,Paul May
A Popular Choice in
cabinetry flooring furniture specialty items turnings veneer
Vital Statistics
Main Color GroupReddish
Grain Pattern Pronounced
Avg Dry Weight - LB/BF5.3
Avg Dry Weight - KG/M3995
Janka Hardness - LBF2940
Janka Hardness - N13080
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PAUFER1247_1
Pau Ferro
PAUFER1247
0.94"
x 4.75" x
46"
| Grade: B
Cracks,Edge defects,Surface defects

$40.37

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PAUFER1246_1
Pau Ferro
PAUFER1246
1"
x 6.94" x
47.44"
| Grade: B
Width varies from 6.63” to 7.19” Cracks,Bark inclusions,Surface defects

$59.28

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PAUFER1243_1
Pau Ferro
PAUFER1243
0.94"
x 4.81" x
45.88"
| Grade: AB
Skip planed,Cracks,Bark inclusions,Edge defects

$40.33

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PAUFER1242_1
Pau Ferro
PAUFER1242
1"
x 7.13" x
47.44"
| Grade: B
Cracks,Bark inclusions,Surface defects

$60.09

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PAUFER1239_1
Pau Ferro
PAUFER1239
0.94"
x 6.38" x
47.25"
| Grade: B
Cracks,Surface defects,Edge defects,Skip planed,Width tapers from .6.13” to 6.69”

$51.83

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PAUFER1226_1
Pau Ferro
PAUFER1226
0.94"
x 5.94" x
35.88"
| Grade: B
Cracks,Knot,Slightly skip planed

$34.04

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PAUFER1215_1
Pau Ferro
PAUFER1215
0.94"
x 5.94" x
35.69"
| Grade: AB
Edge defects,Cracks,Surface defect

$38.33

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PAUFER1211_1
Pau Ferro
PAUFER1211
0.94"
x 5.69" x
36"
| Grade: B
Bark inclusions,Edge defects,Surface defects,Cracks,Slight skip planing

$32.24

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PAUFER1210_1
Pau Ferro
PAUFER1210
0.94"
x 7.44" x
37.31"
| Grade: AB
Edge defects,Crack,Slight skip planing

$48.97

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PAUFER1203_1
Pau Ferro
PAUFER1203
0.88"
x 5.75" x
36.13"
| Grade: AB
Bark inclusions,Cracks

$35.90

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PAUFER1202_1
Pau Ferro
PAUFER1202
0.88"
x 5.63" x
35.75"
| Grade: AB
Skip planed,Cracks,Bark inclusions,Thickness drops to 0.75” at corner

$34.86

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PAUFER1199_1
Pau Ferro
PAUFER1199
0.94"
x 5.69" x
36"
| Grade: B
Cracks,Bark inclusions,Surface defects,Edge defects,Skip planed

$32.44

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PAUFER1195_1
Pau Ferro
PAUFER1195
1"
x 6" x
53.69"
| Grade: AB
Crack. Defect on edge and surface. Skip planed.

$60.80

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PAUFER1181_1
Pau Ferro
PAUFER1181
0.88"
x 6" x
54.38"
| Grade: AB
Crack. Defect on edge.

$60.85

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PAUFER1159_1
Pau Ferro
PAUFER1159
0.88"
x 5.75" x
35.75"
| Grade: B
Cracks. Knots. Skip planed.

$30.29

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pau-ferro
ALSO AVAILABLE (Pau Ferro)

Description

Grade

UOM

Price

PauFerro-Standard-4/4Lumber
4/4 Lumber
Standard
bf
25
bf
no
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