Rhodesian Teak

Geographical Distribution

As the name implies, Rhodesian Teak is an African wood found primarily in present-day Zimbabwe (historically known as Rhodesia) as well as in other areas of so-called Gusu woodland ranging through Angola, Botswana, Namibia, and Zambia as well as Zimbabwe. While the proper scientific name of the tree which bears this wood is Baikiaea plurijuga, other common names in use, in addition to the most commonly applied moniker of Rhodesian Teak, include, but are probably not limited to: Mukusi, Rhodesian teak, Zambian teak , Zambesi redwood, Rhodesiese kiaat, Gusi, Umkusu, Umgusi, and Mukshi. Luthiers, specialist in musical instrument construction, often refer to the wood as both Mukushi and Zambian Teak.

Rhodesian Teak Stylus Pen

Rhodesian Teak Stylus Pen

Many names are potentially variants in local languages and dialects, while yet others may be used in commercial applications depending on the geographic location of the wholesaler/retailer. This seeming plethora of names for an exotic lumber is often more the norm than the exception, and as you might guess, can lead to great confusion among wood turners as to which wood, exactly, they are using, as well as complicating the search for information prior to using a particular wood.

Rhodesian Teak is in no way related to “true” Teak of the Tectona genus native to Southeastern Asia. Typically, when an adjective, such as Rhodesian in this case, precedes a wood name, it is understood that the so named wood might be similar in appearance or character to the more commonly known, and often much more expensive, wood it is named after. Such naming conventions are common in exotic lumber sales.

General Characteristics

The heartwood of Rhodesian Teak is a pleasant medium reddish brown, much like Southeast Asian Teak. The heartwood commonly features black streaks. The clearly demarcated sapwood, in contrast, is a pale and pinkish hued yellow color.

Rhodesian Teak generally features a straight grain with some interlocking, and a fine and even texture.

Unlike many tropical hard woods, it has only a low natural shine and luster.

The endgrain tends towards the diffuse and porous with small to medium sized pores randomly arranged. It is common to find numerous mineral and/or gum deposits that are yellow or brown in color.

The overall durability of Rhodesian Teak is reported to be excellent. The heartwood in particular is reported to be completely impervious to fungi and is even moderately resistant to termite attack. However, it must be noted that the sapwood is susceptible to attack by powder-post beetles. Because of this, freshly cut logs must be handled quickly to prevent attack by these beetles, as well as by forest longhorn beetles.

Working Characteristics

Because of the high silica and other mineral content, Rhodesian teak is difficult to saw. These mineral and gum contaminants also tend to severely blunt and gum saw teeth. Rhodesian Teak has also been reported to ride up over jointer knives, again due to the silica content. A patient approach utilizing machinery with sufficient power armed with tungsten-tipped cutting edges is advisable. Forewarned is forearmed and this is an excellent example of where adequate prior research can reduce difficulties in the shop, and potentially reduce the possibility of injury as well.

On the positive side, despite the potential presence of interlocked and variable grain, Rhodesian Teak is reported to plane well, yielding a smooth finish.  In addition, Rhodesian Teak proves to be a stable wood with minimal shrinkage or warping, and it glues and finishes well, probably due to the low oil content. And, of especial interest here, Rhodesian Teak is known to be an excellent turning wood!

It should be remembered that Rhodesian Teak’s reported difficult workability is a two-edged sword: the very same factors that can create resistance to cutting and joining machinery provide excellent wear-resistance in service, making it well suited for use as flooring or guitar fret boards.

Although other authorities report that Rhodesian Teak features no special or discernible scent, I found that the wood had a very nice, although light, sweet and spicy scent when freshly turned.

Pricing

Rhodesian Teak is reported by some to be in the medium to high range for an imported hardwood. This is said to be due to the fact that while Rhodesian Teak is an important and widely used wood in its native region, it is only rarely exported and this lack of availability in the Americas drives up the prices of what is available.

I was unable to find any bowl blank stock available from any seller, nor did I find anyone selling pen blanks. I was, however, able to locate two Rhodesian Teak suppliers, Rare Woods USA in Maine and Zambezi Hardwood in Washington DC. Both of these suppliers sell Rhodesian Teak by the board foot, and between the two, thicknesses ranging from 4/4 (Rare Woods USA) to between 7/4 to 11/4 (Zambezi Hardwood) can be found. In both cases, the wood is sold “as is” and it is unfinished. These suppliers will generally not cut a board unless one is purchasing the entire length. Clear expectations and communications would be necessary in making a purchase. I found the price, ranging from $7.95 (RW USA) to $8.00 (ZH) a board foot to be quite reasonable compared to many of the other exotic lumbers offered by Rare Woods USA. As a comparison, “genuine” Burmese Teak sells for $26.00 a board foot through Rare Woods USA, over 4 times more expensive than the Rhodesian variety.

Woodfinder is an excellent website that is dedicated to advertising exotic wood dealers. I can’t speak to the quality of any of the listed dealers, but Woodfinder does have the advantage allowing searches to be performed based on location which might allow an interested buyer to visit a listed wood dealer in person to hand pick pieces at a comfortable price.

Uses

As is common with exotic hardwoods, Rhodesian Teak finds most use as a flooring material, especially due to its excellent coloration and incredible durability which greatly exceeds that of Southeast Asian Teak. The next most popular use is as fretboard material in luthier work. Rhodesian Teak may also be available as a veneer. Rhodesian Teak is sometimes used in millwork (doors, sashes, trim pieces, moldings, etc). Less common uses include lathe turning, furniture, cabinetry, and carving. Rather unusual uses for Rhodesian Teak in its native area include use as mining timbers, store fittings, and even railway sleeper cars. Presumably, the durability, rot resistance, and being impervious to insects accounts for these local uses.

Sustainability

Rhodesian Teak is not listed in the Convention in International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Appendices, but is reported by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as being near threatened. At this time Rhodesian Teak doesn’t meet the specific criteria for listing on the IUCN Red List of vulnerable or endangered species. However, Rhodesian Teak is close to qualifying and may qualify in the near future. Stocks in Zimbabwe are reported to be particularly over-harvested and therefore in imminent danger of permanent loss.

Health Hazards

Severe allergic reactions are reportedly uncommon, but as is often the case with exotic and even domestic hardwoods, the dust of Rhodesian Teak may cause respiratory irritation, especially in previously sensitized persons or those with existing respiratory problems such as asthma.

Complete information about health hazards associated with a wide variety of exotic hardwoods is available from The Wood Database. Additional information about how to best use a dust collection system and personal protective equipment, such as respirators, can also be found through this excellent and comprehensive resource.

Fortunately, I have experienced no negative side effects when working with Rhodesian Teak.

My Personal Experiences

My personal experience with Rhodesian Teak has been limited to several pen blank size pieces that were part of a variety pack of African woods. It is difficult to find even pen blanks sized pieces of Rhodesian Teak in this country without resorting to the purchase of entire lengths of flat lumber.

I experienced no difficulty in cutting or turning the wood, which was in part no doubt due to the small size of the blanks and because I always use carbide tipped turning tools that are changeable instead of requiring sharpening. As expected, my pieces featured small pores and light black streaks as reported by other users and experts. I have already noted the light but pleasant scent when freshly turned.

Overall, Rhodesian Teak rated well with me and I would be pleased to work with it again in pen blank format, or preferably, in bowl blanks sizes should such become available for a reasonable price in the future, although this seems unlikely at present.