Wenge (Millettia laurentii) is a dark, dense African hardwood with nearly black color, distinctive coarse grain, and high natural oils. It is used in furniture, flooring, musical instruments, cabinetry, and veneers, and is particularly popular for modern and contemporary design aesthetics.

Wenge has a very dark espresso-brown to nearly black heartwood with fine lighter-colored veining running through it. Wenge's color deepens further with age, becoming darker and richer over time.

Wenge has a Janka hardness of 1,630 lbf (7,250 N).

Yes, Wenge flooring is an excellent and visually striking choice, particularly for modern and contemporary interiors.

Wenge can be challenging to work due to its coarse, interlocked grain, which can splinter and cause tearout. Its very long, coarse splinters can be sharp hand protection is recommended.

Yes, Wenge should be properly sealed and finished despite its high natural oil content. For flooring, a penetrating hardwax oil or an oil-modified urethane is ideal. For furniture, Danish oil, hardwax oil, or lacquer are popular choices. Its natural oils can interfere with water-based finishes, so compatibility testing is recommended.

Wenge is native to the tropical forests of central Africa, primarily found in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Gabon, and Tanzania.

Wenge is used for high-end furniture, flooring, cabinetry, veneers, guitar fretboards, knife handles, decorative turning, and architectural millwork. Its dramatic dark color and fine natural veining are particularly sought after in modern and luxury interior design applications.

Yes, Wenge is a popular choice for guitar fretboards, particularly in bass guitars and seven-string electric guitars.