The hardness of a wood is a crucial factor when selecting materials for projects that require high strength and durability. The Janka hardness scale measures a wood’s resistance to penetration, indicating how much force it takes to embed a steel ball into the wood. Below, we explore the 10 hardest woods in the world according to this scale, detailing their characteristics and colors.
1. Australian Buloke(Allocasuarina luehmannii)
With a Janka hardness of 5,060 lbf, Australian Buloke tops the list. This wood is extremely dense and tough.
- Color: Shades varying from reddish brown to dark brown.
- Characteristics: High resistance to wear and insects, but difficult to work due to its density.
Image of Australian Buloke:
2. Quebracho (Schinopsis spp.)
With a Janka hardness of 4,570 lbf, Quebracho is known for its exceptional toughness. Its name comes from “axe-breaker”, reflecting its toughness.
- Color: Intense reddish brown.
- Characteristics: Highly resistant to moisture and insect attack, ideal for outdoor applications.
Image of Quebracho:
3. Lignum Vitae (Guaiacum spp.)
With a Janka hardness of 4,500 lbf, this wood, one of the hardest woods in the world, is known for its density and self-lubricating properties.
- Color: Dark olive green to blackish brown.
- Characteristics: Used in industrial applications such as bearings and pulleys due to its high density and wear resistance.
Image of Lignum Vitae:
4. Snakewood(Brosimum guianense)
With a Janka hardness of 3,800 lbf, this wood is prized for its unique appearance.
- Color: Reddish brown with dark spots reminiscent of snake skin.
- Characteristics: Very dense and difficult to work, used in the manufacture of violin bows and decorative objects.
Snakewood image:
5. Desert Ironwood(Olneya tesota)
With a Janka hardness of 3,260 lbf, also known as Desert Ironwood.
- Color: Dark brown with purple and black veins.
- Characteristics: Extremely dense and resistant to decomposition, used in carvings and tools.
Image of Olneya:
6. Ipe (Handroanthus spp.)
With a Janka hardness of 3,680 lbf, also known as Lapacho or Pau Lope.
- Color: Greenish brown to dark brown.
- Characteristics: High resistance to weather and insects, commonly used in terraces and exterior constructions.
7. Cocobolo(Dalbergia retusa)
With a Janka hardness of 3,680 lbf, this wood is valued for its beauty and durability.
- Color: Orange to reddish brown with black or purple streaks.
- Characteristics: Used in the manufacture of musical instruments and luxury items.
Image by Cocobolo:
8. African Ebony(Diospyros crassiflora)
With a Janka hardness of 3,220 lbf, it is one of the densest and darkest woods.
- Color: Deep black with possible brown streaks.
- Characteristics: Very heavy and dense, used in musical instruments and fine carvings.
Image of African Ebony:
9. Blue Guaiacum(Guaiacum sanctum)
With a Janka hardness of 3,660 lbf, this wood is known for its density and strength.
- Color: Olive green to dark brown.
- Characteristics: Used in marine applications and tools due to its water resistance and durability.
10. Bocote (Cordia spp.)
With a Janka hardness of 2,500-3,000 lbf, depending on the specific species, Bocote is among the hardest woods, but is also prized for its distinctive aesthetics.
- Color: Brown tones with black streaks that often create striking patterns, similar to swirls or wavy lines.
- Characteristics: Very durable and resistant to deformation. Mainly used in fine cabinetmaking, musical instruments and luxury items.
Image recommendation: A slab of Bocote wood with grain details.
Alternate text: Bocote wood with unique grain patterns and warm brown color.
Conclusion
The world’s hardest woods, classified according to the Janka hardness scale, stand out for their unique strength and beauty. These woods are ideal for demanding applications, such as luxury furniture, tools and decorative work. However, their hardness can also make them difficult to work, requiring specialized tools and expert hands.
Remember that the world’s hardest woods are valuable natural resources. Be sure to purchase them from sustainable and certified sources.
Visit our wood species section where we show the woods we work with.
