Iroko Wood

[John Stevens]

I picked up some Iroko wood for trim on my sailboat the other day.  It seems to look and feel like teak.  I'm planning on using it for trim on my sailboat.  Is there any downside to using this wood?

Looking forward to the opinions of this board!

TIA,

John Stevens

[PAR]

Iroko (Chlorophora excelsa and Chlorophora regia) is not a teak, but often is substituted and sometimes is referred to as African Teak. Abang, Rokko, Mokongo and Kambala are other common names for this dense tropical hardwood, well known for its ability to dull cutting edges. Run a nice edged scraper over it and it literaly shines.

[Hirilonde]

It is some hard and dense wood.  At least I am told it is wood.  I have a theory that it is really stone being passed off as wood. 

I think it has a place on boats.  But keep in mind that it is really heavy.  I have only fastened through into into other woods.  I would think it has a tendency to split when screwed into if you didn't already snap the screw in the process.  Slightly over-sized pilot holes might be in order. 

well known for its ability to dull cutting edges.

The above is mildly put (see my first paragraph).

Keel battens! 

[PAR]

It's about the same specific gravity as live oak and a little heavier then white oak, both framing material favorites. It's a reasonably course textured lumber with slightly interlocking grain. It has an oily feel, even slightly greasy. It dulls tools quickly from the large percentage and often times chunks, of calcium carbonate. It's a very popular framing material in Africa, and the southern hemisphere countries.

[John Stevens]

Thanks for the reply.  Are these first had experiences with the wood?  I've been cutting and sanding and it seems to be going ok.

Has anyone used the wood for trim where the weather is hitting it?  Just wondering how it will hold up. 

I noticed the grain to be a little deeper than teak. 

TIA,

John