Do termites eat Koa wood?
Fortunately, termites do not prefer Koa. Chemical pre-treatment will work to prevent termites, but it may discolor the wood.
What is the price of Koa wood?
The price of koa varies as much as any species in the world. Plain koa, without a variance in color or figure can be bought for as little as $15 to $20/bf and, if quartersawn, $20 to $50/bf. Lumber with the premium full curl usually ranges between $80 and $120/bf. Musical-grade koa runs up to $150/bf.
How can you tell real Koa wood?
You can identify Koa by examining three primary attributes; color, grain, and origin. Koa is generally reddish gold to dark brown in color. Its acute interlocking wood grain produces a highly curly or figured appearance. Its origin is always Hawaii.
What is special about Koa wood?
What makes Koa so special? Koa wood is special because of three primary reasons, its beauty, rarity, and symbolic meaning. The beauty of Koa is rooted in its unique grain patterns and a variety of colors. It only grows in Hawaii and has played a significant role in ancient Hawaiian history.
Is Koa wood hard or soft?
hardwood
Koa is a hardwood and has high crush resistance and shock absorbance. It is often compared to walnut, however, it weighs about 25% more and its interlocking grain makes for an exceptional figure. It’s thin, light-colored sapwood surrounds the hardwood that woodworkers describe as lustrous, swirled marble.
Is acacia wood the same as Koa wood?
The first thing to know is that acacia wood and koa wood are very similar. In fact, acacia is in the same family as koa and sometimes when shopping for an acacia wood ukulele, you will see it called “koa acacia.” There are about 1300 different kinds of acacia wood!
Is Koa wood toxic?
Yes, Koa wood is food safe. It is allergen and toxic free.
Why is Koa wood expensive?
Koa wood is precious Koa wood is highly regarded and it is so precious because it can only be found in Hawaii. Its beauty and rarity make koa among the most expensive woods in the world. Koa wood starts at around $40 per board feet and can go up to $200 board feet for rare large slabs.
Why is koa wood expensive?
Does koa only grow in Hawaii?
Koa wood is endemic to Hawaii. The species Acacia Koa grows only in Hawaii and no place else in the world. Sure, other species of the acacia family grow in other parts of the world. This is the reason why Koa is so highly prized in Hawaii.