Snakewood Guide

Everything you need to know about Snakewood, from its origin and characteristics to its properties, uses, workability, and care.

Learn More About Snakewood

Snakewood is one of the world’s most unique tropical hardwoods, known for its natural pattern that resembles snakeskin, its "rich reddish-brown” natural pattern high density, and beautiful appearance. Its unique appearance and hardness make it a popular choice for woodworkers, craftsmen, and makers of fine handcrafted products.

What Is Snakewood?

Snakewood (Brosimum guianense), also known by the botanical synonym Piratinera guianensis, belongs to the Moraceae family. This tropical hardwood is native to the rainforests of northern South America, including Suriname, Guyana, French Guiana, and northern Brazil.

Its common name comes from the unique dark markings that resemble the pattern of snakeskin. Unlike many commercial hardwoods, Snakewood grows slowly and is naturally found in limited quantities.

No two pieces of Snakewood are exactly alike. Every board has its own color, grain pattern, and natural figure.

Specifications

Characteristic Details
Botanical Name Brosimum guianense
Common Name Snakewood
Wood Type Tropical hardwood
Origin Northern South America
Color Reddish-brown with dark markings
Grain Usually straight, occasionally irregular
Texture Fine and smooth
Natural Luster Moderate
Drying Method Naturally air-dried
Janka Hardness Approximately 3,800 lbf
Density Extremely dense and heavy

Why Choose Snakewood?

Snakewood combines a striking, snake-like grain pattern with exceptional density and the ability to achieve a smooth, polished finish. 

Its unique appearance makes it an excellent choice for makers who want the wood itself to stand out in their work, from knife handles, cue components, musical instruments, woodturning projects, and other fine woodworking applications. Each piece has its own natural figure, giving every project its own character. 

Snakewood rewards careful craftsmanship with a finish that highlights the beauty of the wood itself.

Applications

Snakewood is suitable for many woodworking and specialty applications, including:

Workability

Although Snakewood is extremely dense, it machines well when proper woodworking techniques are used.

For the best results:

  • Use sharp carbide tools whenever possible.
  • Take light cuts during machining.
  • Pre-drill holes before installing screws.
  • Avoid excessive heat during cutting or sanding.
  • Apply your finish soon after final sanding.
  • Snakewood can be susceptible to checking and cracking, depending on its moisture content, drying history, and working conditions.

For more detailed recommendations, please visit our Snakewood Care Guide.

Characteristics

Every piece of Snakewood is different.

Variations in grain pattern, figure, color, and texture are natural characteristics of the species. Some pieces display pronounced dark markings, while others have more subtle patterns or little visible figure. Small checks, mineral streaks, pin knots, and other naturally occurring features may also be present.

To better understand how our material is evaluated and graded, please visit our Snakewood Grading Guide.

Additional Resources

Looking for more information? Explore our helpful guides:

These resources provide additional information to help you select, work with, and care for your Snakewood with confidence.