Lumber Name(s): Ipe, Cortez.

Grown in: Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Venezuela, Guatemala.

Description: Brazilian Walnut is a very dense hardwood with exceedingly fine graining. Its overall color depends on where it's grown and will range from a light yellowish tan to a deep, rich brown.

Color Range: Brazilian Walnut color range varies considerably based on where it grows. It can vary from a light yellowish tan color with greenish overtones to an almost blackish brown. WFI offers Brazilian Walnut in the medium brown tones.

Color Change: Brazilian Walnut when freshly milled will exhibit a large range of coloration, which will quickly mute into a more uniform range which then will darken over time to a medium to dark brown color.

Site Sanding/ Finishing: This species has a number of alkalines in its chemical makeup which interfere with drying, adhesion and staining. While some oil finishes will dry on this wood, most will not. Also, some neutral oil finishes have reacted with these alkalines and turned red when used with this wood. A water-based finish is the safest bet. Always test the finish you propose to use first on test pieces to ensure compatibility.

Hardness: 3680

Blunting Effect: Blunting effect on cutting edges is reported to be moderate.

Cutting Resistance: The material is reported to be very difficult to saw.

Planing: The material is reported to be fairly difficult to plane and work in most operations work. A reduced cutting angle of 15 degrees is recommended for best planing results.

Turning: The material is reported to work with some difficulty, but can be finished smoothly, except heavily interlocked material. Properties in turning, boring, and sanding are rated as good.

Moulding: A reduced cutting angle of 15 degrees is recommended for best moulding results.

Gluing: Surface preparation is usually required for best gluing results.

Nailing: The wood is hard and requires pre-boring.

Screwing: The wood has good screw-holding characteristics.

Sanding: The wood is reported to respond easily to sanding operations.

Polishing: Occasionally yellowish, powdery deposits of lapachol may interfere with polishing, but the wood generally polishes well.

Staining: The wood takes stain well.

Varnishing: Powdery deposits of lapacho may make varnishing difficult.

Painting: The wood is difficult to paint. Surface preparation to remove yellowish lapachol powder may improve painting qualities.

Steam Bending: The wood is reported to be difficult to steam bend.

Response to Hand Tools: The material responds poorly to hand tools.