Where is okoume veneer made?
Continuous and sustainable quality systems have ensured building long term relationships with clients all over the world. We are Okoume Face Veneer manufacturer in Gabon, Africa and supply all over the world. Why buy from us?
What is okoume wood?
Okoume wood is typically a high-quality product coming in 4’ x 8’ two-sided marine grade panels in thicknesses ranging from ⅛” to 1”. It is very soft and plywood made from Okoume are usually not pressure treated.
How much does okoume weigh?
A cubic foot of Okoume weights over 25 pounds. Okoume is primarily used for marine applications, but it can be used for other applications as long as the edges and faces are well sealed. It is the easiest to bend of the marine plywoods making boat construction of the stitch-and-glue variety much easier than if a wood like fir were used.
What is okoume mahogany?
Aucoumea klaineana, or Okoume, is an African hardwood that can only be found in the Congo, Gabon, and Africa’s equatorial Guinea. The tree grows in close stands and can reach over 100 feet. It also grows quickly so regeneration is usually not a concern. The name Okoume Mahogany is a misnomer, because it’s not true mahogany.
Is Okoume good for furniture?
Okoume has a uniform texture and the grain is straight to barely wavy that looks interlocked and attractive. Okoume plywood is commonly used for building racing boats and other uses where lightweight wood is needed. It can also be used for building furniture or on kitchen cabinets because of its lustrous appearance.
Is Okoume a hardwood?
This is the commercial name for timber that comes from the tree Aucoumea klaineana, an African hardwood also known as “Gaboon” or alternately “Angouma.” It has been widely used throughout Europe over the past century.
Is Okoume wood good?
Okoume offers a fairly balanced yet bright tone and is a good solidbody wood. It can improve the clarity of the guitar itself and produce a cleaner overall tone. Okoume is rather soft and easy to dent. It's often used in laminate designs with a harder, more sonically complex tonewood that makes up the top/veneer.
Is Okoume wood cheap?
Pricing/Availability: Most commonly sold as veneer, Okoume should be moderately priced for an imported hardwood, though highly figured pieces tend to be more expensive. Sustainability: This wood species is not listed in the CITES Appendices, but is on the IUCN Red List.
Can you stain Okoume wood?
Okoume accepts stain and glue very well but, even though soft, is only moderately easy to work by turning, carving, cutting or planing.
What is Okoume timber?
Okoume is one of the main exotic timber species exploited in the Congo Basin. Offering a relatively uniform appearance and tones ranging from light red to red brown, Okoume timber is widely used in the manufacture of plywood, and also to make furniture, moulding and panelling.
Is okoume wood waterproof?
Although not known for its water resistance, Okoume plywood is an exceptional choice for building racing boats as well as for other applications in which strength and light weight are desirable. Kitchen cabinets, furniture, and certain types of packaging may be constructed using this type of plywood.
Is okoume better than mahogany?
Another is a wood known as okoume (sometimes known as gabon from its main country of origin). This wood is softer, and leans toward the warmer side of the classic mahogany tone. Because it is softer, okoume often is used as a laminate, giving it additional rigidity.
What is okoume wood similar to?
Okoume wood is less dense than other mahogany substitutes like Sapele and Khaya. Thus, it makes lightweight electric guitars without chambering . Its grain is very similar to the more expensive Genuine Mahogany. Luthiers often say okoume's tap tone is similar to traditional mahogany.
How do you stain okoume?
Okoume will take a stain, if anything rather too well as it's quite a porous timber, you may find it a problem to get an even colour. I would advise the use of a slow drying stain, water based rather than spirit, that should give you a better chance of getting it even.
Is Basswood better than mahogany?
Plus, mahogany is usually more valuable than basswood. Thus, you'll more likely find basswood on cheaper guitars. This is because mahogany is harder, more stable, and more durable. As far as necks go, there is little debate that mahogany is better.
What is gabon wood used for?
Common Uses: Veneer, plywood, boatbuilding, musical instruments, furniture, and interior millwork. Comments: Sometimes simply called Gabon (not to be confused with Gaboon Ebony ), the wood is commercially important in the country of Gabon, where it’s the principle timber species.
Is Okoume hardwood a red list?
Sustainability: This wood species is not listed in the CITES Appendices, but is on the IUCN Red List.
Does Okoume have an odor?
Odor: No characteristic odor. Allergies/Toxicity: Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, Okoume has been reported to cause skin, eye, and respiratory irritation, as well as other effects such as asthma-like symptoms, coughing, and conjunctivitis (pink eye).
What is Okoume used for?
Okoume is primarily used for marine applications , but it can be used for other applications as long as the edges and faces are well sealed. It is the easiest to bend of the marine plywoods making boat construction of the stitch-and-glue variety much easier than if a wood like fir were used.
Where does Okoume hardwood come from?
The Origin of Okoume Plywood. Aucoumea klaineana, or Okoume, is an African hardwood that can only be found in the Congo, Gabon, and Africa’s equatorial Guinea. The tree grows in close stands and can reach over 100 feet. It also grows quickly so regeneration is usually not a concern.
What is Joubert Okoume plywood?
Joubert Okoume is the highest quality marine plywood available today. It is certified by Lloyd’s of London to be manufactured to the British Standard 1088. We have 48” x 98” and other sizes available. Joubert’s plywood has the highest level of certification that the Forestry Stewardship Council provides, which includes “chain ...
Why do you need epoxy on Okoume?
Okoume is not the most durable wood available. It needs a fiberglass or epoxy coating on it because it isn’t rot-resistant. It must be sealed to prevent any moisture from getting in, which is why most okoume panels are painted and finished with epoxy and varnish to prevent any problems from exposure to the elements.
Where does Joubert's Okoume come from?
By law, no Okoume logs can leave the country of Gabon, where Joubert’s Okoume comes from. The veneer mill has to be in Gabon where it can benefit the local economy. No more than 7 percent of Joubert’s Okoume can be taken annually in order to ensure sustainability.
Is Okoume plywood pressure treated?
It is very soft and plywood made from Okoume are usually not pressure treated. The core can be made from pine, poplar, or hardwood to give it added strength. A cubic foot of Okoume weights over 25 pounds.

Properties and Identification
What Is Okoume Plywood Used for?
- While solid lumber is available around its native range and where it grows locally, imports to the US and other countries are mostly done in the form of veneers and plywood. When processing Okoume plywood and veneer its core can be made from pine, poplar to provide the timber added strength and durability. Due to these unmatched properties, Okoume ...
Okoume Plywood – The Pros and Cons
- Okoume is one of the tropical hardwoods that is great to use for exteriors and marine applications. With various benefits, lumber however has some drawbacks as well. Advantages 1. Highly durable due to added strength 2. Takes the paint, stain and glue very well 3. Cost effective and needs less maintenance 4. Can easily be curved, folded or cut in various shapes and sizes 5…