Gonçalo Alves (Tigerwood)
Description/Overview: Gonco Alves Wood
Goncalves Wood, also known as Tigerwood or Brazilian Koa, is a dense and durable hardwood species native to South America, particularly Brazil. Due to its durability and resistance to decay and insect attack, Goncalves Wood is a popular choice for outdoor decking and construction projects. Its unique coloration and grain patterns also make it a desirable option for luxury furniture and custom humidors.
Origin: South America
Names: Tigerwood or Brazilian Koa
Color: Heartwood has a reddish-brown to orange-brown color with dark brown to black streaks, giving it a distinct tiger-like appearance.
Properties: The wood has an interlocked grain pattern with a medium to fine texture and a natural luster.
Additional Info: When used in humidors, Goncalves Wood helps maintain optimal humidity levels and provides a natural, pleasant aroma. Its density and hardness allow for precise carving and shaping, making it ideal for intricate humidors designs.
- about Goncalves Wood:
- Goncalves Wood is also known as Tigerwood, due to its distinctive stripes and patterns.
- Its distinctive grain pattern is reminiscent of a tiger's stripes, hence its nickname "Tigerwood."
- The wood is often used as a substitute for expensive and rare woods such as Ebony and Rosewood.
- It is one of the hardest woods in the world, with a Janka hardness rating of 1850.
- Goncalves Wood is resistant to termites, fungi, and rot, making it a popular choice for outdoor furniture and construction projects.
- It is an excellent tonewood, commonly used in guitar and ukulele construction.
- Goncalves Wood has natural oils that can cause skin irritation in some people, so it should be handled with caution.
- The wood's natural oils also make it resistant to water and moisture.
- In Brazil, Goncalves Wood is used to make canes and walking sticks.
- The tree that Goncalves Wood comes from can grow up to 130 feet tall.
- In traditional medicine, the bark and leaves of the Goncalves tree are used to treat various ailments such as fever and inflammation.
- It is considered a sustainable wood species, as it is widely cultivated in plantations.
- Goncalves Wood has a pleasant, spicy scent when freshly cut, making it a favorite among craftsmen.