Panga Panga Wood (Millettia stuhlmannii) Knife Scales
Common Name(s): Panga Panga
Scientific Name: Millettia stuhlmannii
Distribution: Eastern Africa
Color/Appearance: Heartwood is a very dark brown with black streaks. Upon application of a wood finish (particularly an oil-finish) the wood can become nearly black.
Grain/Texture: Has a straight grain and a coarse texture. Panga Panga also has very large pores that can present a challenge to fill if a perfectly smooth/leveled finish is desired.
Sustainability: This wood species is not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Common Uses: Panga Panga and Wenge can both be dark enough to be used as substitutes for ebony.
Comments: Panga Panga is very similar in working properties and appearance to Wenge, and it’s not uncommon for the two species to be used and mixed interchangeably.