Uses: Inlays, fine furniture and cabinetry, parquet flooring, guitars, turnings, and other small specialty items.
Katalox
Scientific name: Swartzia cubensis
Description: Heartwood is dark reddish brown to nearly black, sometimes with a strong purple hue. Sapwood is sharply demarcated and is pale yellowish white. Pieces with curly or wavy grain are not uncommon. Grain is usually straight, but can also be irregular or interlocked. With a fine even texture and good natural lustre.
Properties: Katalox is typically considered difficult to work because of its high density. The wood has a moderate to high blunting effect on cutters, and if there is interlocked grain present, tearout can occur during planing. Can be troublesome to glue because of its high density and presence of natural oils.