Sneezewood

Sneezewood (Ptaeroxylon obliquum) is a South African hardwood with a reputation as one of the most durable, rot- and insect-resistant woods in the world, once classed as “imperishable” in its homeland. The name comes from the fine, peppery dust, which can make you sneeze.
The heartwood is light to medium golden brown, sometimes darker toward the center, with a fine texture and an attractive sheen. The grain is straight or wavy, sometimes interlocked, and the wood is aromatic when worked.
It’s dense, which makes it somewhat difficult to work, but it’s very stable once dry. It turns and finishes well, though its natural oils can make gluing tricky. Use good dust extraction and a mask.
Sneezewood has long been used for fence posts, railway sleepers and bearings in South Africa, where old posts are said to have lasted for generations. Today it’s used for turnings, carving, furniture, knife handles, specialty pieces and demanding outdoor work. For another tough South African wood, see Leadwood.
Not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Why We Love This Wood
Classed as 'imperishable' in South Africa, and one of the toughest woods we sell.
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Vital Statistics
| Main Color Group | Medium Brown |
| Grain Pattern | Pronounced |
| Avg Dry Weight - LB/BF | 5.7 |
| Avg Dry Weight - KG/M3 | 1080 |
| Janka Hardness - LBF | 3080 |
| Janka Hardness - N | 13700 |
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