Granadillo
How the Wood Scale Works
The scale above displays the measured values for this species of wood compared to Oak – a wood species most people are familiar with.
The red line shows the value for this wood, while the tan line represents the baseline value for Oak.
Common Names:
Coyote, Macacauba or Trebol
Scientific Names:
Platymiscium ulei
Why we use for Bokken:
This wood is commonly used as a replacement for Cocobolo. It is very beautiful wood and very hard and dense. This would be a comparable wood to Lignum in it's qualities.
Appearance:
Heartwood color can be highly variable, ranging from a bright red to a darker reddish or purplish brown, frequently with darker stripes. When the wood is referred to as “Hormigo,” various suffixes are used to describe the heartwood color: “Hormigo Negro” for darker pieces or “Hormigo Rojo” for orangish red pieces. Clearly demarcated sapwood is yellow to white.
Grain:
Grain is straight to interlocked, with a medium to fine texture. High natural luster.
Durability:
Heartwood is rated as durable to very durable regarding decay resistance, with good resistance to insect attacks as well.
Safety:
There have been no adverse health effects associated with Granadillo.
Availability:
Granadillo has been used in the making of all types of furniture, musical instruments, sporting implements and even umbrella handles.
Other Comments:
Granadillo is an extremely hard, satiny, reddish brown wood with charming light cream colored highlights and swirling grain. It looks like a cross between Honduras Rosewood and Cocobolo, but does not have the allergenic properties of either.
