Ebony
Also called: macassar ebony, diospyros
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Ebony is a dense, hard timber valued for dark, durable work in furniture, cabinetry and small decorative parts.
Material and appearance
Ebony's density and hardness call for sharp tools and patient cuts. Its heartwood, the darker inner wood, is the part valued for durable finished work and strong contrast against paler material. Different ebony species can vary in colour and grain, while ebony woods are generally dense and hard, so the name alone is not enough to predict a board's appearance.
Treatment and exposure
Dense ebony accepts little preservative, so ordinary work with it does not usually depend on preservative treatment, a process intended to protect timber. Freshly cut Mauritius ebony should also be kept out of strong sun, since careless exposure can make it split. Protect the stock while it settles to the workshop's moisture and make clean cuts rather than forcing a tool through it.
Use the evidence carefully
The treatment and sun warning concern particular ebony and particular conditions, not every dark board sold under the name. Select sound stock, inspect the grain and test a small area before committing to a visible cut. Ebony's density makes patient preparation more useful than trying to remove material in a hurry.