Leopardwood
Leopardwood's dramatic ray fleck is unlike almost anything else you'll work with — those wide medullary rays create genuine leopard-spot patterning when quartersawn. It earns its visual impact with extra effort: high density and a tearout-prone character mean this wood rewards patience and sharp tools. Best suited for accent pieces, veneers, and turning where the figure can shine.
- Surfacing with a dull planer blade — tearout on the rays is severe; hand-plane with a very sharp, skewed blade or use a card scraper
- Ignoring the T/R ratio of 2.5 — this wood moves more tangentially than radially; factor that in for instrument or panel work
- Flatsawing for decorative work — the ray figure only truly shows quartersawn
Medium to dark reddish brown heartwood with gray or light brown ray flecks that resemble leopard spots. Figure is most dramatic when quartersawn.
High density and wide rays make this a challenging wood to work — tearout during planing is common. Use sharp tools, take light passes, and expect to resharpen frequently. Glues and finishes well once the surface is right. Better for veneering and turning than large flat work.
| Region | Availability |
|---|---|
| North America | Specialty importers only |
| Europe | Specialty importers only |
| South America | Regional / select dealers |
| Africa / Middle East | Specialty importers only |
| Southeast Asia | Specialty importers only |
| Australia / NZ | Specialty importers only |