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MOPANE

Colophospermum mopane
Colophospermum mopane of the family Fabaceae (syn. Leguminosae) the legume, pea, or bean family. A common alternate spelling is "mopani" (Internet usage shows about a 5:1 ratio of mopane to mopani)

Based on my samples, I'd say this stuff is hard as a rock and very heavy

my samples: NOTE: these pics were all taken in very bright incandescent lighting ("soft white" at 2700K) colors will vary under other lighting conditions

both sides of a sample plank of mopane / Colophospermum mopane


end grain and end grain closeup of the piece directly above --- the end grain closeup is too purple


END GRAIN UPDATE from directly above --- this is a particularly poor update and for some reason just doesn't show the fine grain detail well at all. The sample below this one does thought. When I first looked at the fine grain detail on this, I thought I had gotten a bad focus but the sharpness of the lable below the wood shows that the focus is very sharp.


both sides of a sample plank of mopane / Colophospermum mopane --- HUGE enlargements are present. This is from the same vendor as the sample above and judging from the grain I'd say it's probably from the same plank.


end grain and end grain closeup of the piece directly above


END GRAIN UPDATE from directly above and unlike with the sample above this one, this one shows the fine grain detail very nicely


both sides of a sample plank of mopane / Colophospermum mopane --- HUGE enlargements are present. This sample was loaned to me by David Clark whom I thank for this and other contributions to the site.


end grain and end grain closeup of the piece directly above


END GRAIN UPDATE from directly above


both sides of a sample plank of mopane / Colophospermum mopane --- HUGE enlargements are present. This sample was loaned to me by David Clark whom I thank for this and other contributions to the site.


end grain and end grain closeup of the piece directly above




both sides of a sample plank of mopane / Colophospermum mopane --- HUGE enlargements are present. This sample was loaned to me by Mark Peet whom I thank for this and other contributions to the site.


end grain and end grain closeup of the piece directly above


END GRAIN UPDATE from directly above

web pics:

turning sticks --- I am very doubtful about the bright colors in these pics


planks --- the first five, and probably the sixth as well, are from the BogusColorVendor, so I do not trust the red color at all.


misc pieces listed as mopani / Colophospermum mopane, all from the same vendor


bookmatched knife scales


3 views of the same board


3 views of the same board


waxed turning stock, all from the same vendor


turning stock


both sides of a waxed turning stick


waxed pen blank


bullwhip handle


5"x2" bowl by Steve Earis