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Luxurious, dense, and richly coloured, kingwood is a rare exotic hardwood treasured for its striking appearance and fine texture. We offer select kingwood turning blanks and lumber perfect for high-end inlays, fine furniture, decorative accents, musical instruments, and woodturning projects that demand exceptional beauty and detail. Kingwood is known for its deep purplish-brown tones, often accented with dark streaks and a natural lustre that polishes to a brilliant finish. Despite its density, it turns and machines well with sharp tools and holds intricate detail—making it ideal for small-scale, precision work such as knife handles, pens, and ornate trim. As a proudly Canadian company, Windsor Plywood specializes in hard-to-find and exotic wood species, supported by expert, one-on-one service. Add an element of royalty to your next project with the timeless elegance and unparalleled character of kingwood.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is kingwood and what makes it distinctive?
Kingwood (Dalbergia cearensis) is a small-diameter Brazilian rosewood-family hardwood with a deep violet-purple to red-brown colour with dark black streaking. It has a very fine texture, a Janka hardness of approximately 3150, and takes a high natural polish. Kingwood is one of the most highly figured and prized specialty hardwoods for turning, inlay, marquetry, and small decorative woodworking.
Is kingwood subject to CITES restrictions?
Yes. Kingwood is a member of the Dalbergia genus, which is listed on CITES Appendix II. This means international commercial trade requires permits and documentation confirming legal harvest and export. This listing significantly affects availability and pricing. Windsor Plywood sources exotic hardwoods through established suppliers with appropriate documentation. Contact your local branch for current availability and sourcing information.
What is kingwood used for in woodworking?
Kingwood is primarily used for pen turning, small decorative boxes, inlay work, marquetry, musical instrument accents such as fingerboard dots and rosette inlays, and small turned objects where its exceptional colour, figure, and high natural polish are appreciated. The small diameter of kingwood trees means that wide boards are not available, making it a specialty small-piece material.
How does kingwood finish?
Kingwood sands to an extremely high natural lustre and can often be finished with just wax or a light oil to reveal its colour and figure. Film-forming finishes also work well. Like other rosewoods, kingwood's natural oils can interfere with some adhesives and finishes — wipe the surface with mineral spirits before gluing or applying a film finish.
Does Windsor Plywood carry kingwood?
Windsor Plywood carries kingwood as a specialty exotic hardwood in turning blank and small-section dimensions subject to current availability and CITES documentation requirements. Contact your local Windsor Plywood branch to confirm current stock.