African Blackwood VS Lignum Vitae
- Stronger in bending (MOR 213.0 vs 130.0 MPa)
- Close second across most categories
- Solid choice where its profile fits the project
Visual comparison
Winner by category
There isn't one universally best wood — there's a best wood for each purpose.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Durability | Tie |
| Stability | Tie |
| Hardness | Lignum Vitae |
| Strength (MOR) | African Blackwood |
| Stiffness (MOE) | Lignum Vitae |
| Flame spread | Tie |
| Machining ease | Tie |
| Lightness | Tie |
Engineering data
| Property | African Blackwood | Lignum Vitae |
|---|---|---|
| Janka Hardness | 3670WD lbf | 4390WD lbf |
| Density | 0.98WD g/cm³ | 1.05FPL g/cm³ |
| MOE | 17.95WD GPa | 19.0FPL GPa |
| MOR | 213.0WD MPa | 130.0FPL MPa |
| Durability | Class 1 Very Durable | Class 1 Very Durable |
| Stability | Excellent | Excellent |
| Fire (E84) | Class A indicative | Class A indicative |
| Radial Shrink | 2.9WD % | 4WD % |
| Tangential Shrink | 4.8WD % | 6.5WD % |
| T/R Ratio | 1.66 | 1.62 |
Figures carry the same source status as the species pages they come from — verified where cited, indicative where marked.
Best for
| Application | Recommended | Suitability |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoor decking / pergola | 🥇 African Blackwood | ★★★★★ |
| Exterior cladding | 🥇 African Blackwood | ★★★★☆ |
| Flooring / wear surfaces | 🥇 Lignum Vitae | ★★★★★ |
| Furniture / interior joinery | 🥇 African Blackwood | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Structural / load-bearing | 🥇 African Blackwood | ★★★★★ |
Advantages & limitations
African Blackwood
Advantages relative to Lignum Vitae
- MOR is 213 MPa vs 130 MPa, about 64% higher
- Radial shrinkage 2.9% vs 4.0% and tangential 4.8% vs 6.5% — lower movement on both axes
Limitations relative to Lignum Vitae
- Janka is 3,670 lbf vs 4,390 lbf
Lignum Vitae
Advantages relative to African Blackwood
- Janka is 4,390 lbf vs 3,670 lbf, about 20% higher
Limitations relative to African Blackwood
- MOR is 130 MPa vs 213 MPa, about 39% lower
- Radial shrinkage 4.0% vs 2.9% and tangential 6.5% vs 4.8% — higher movement on both axes
Recommendation
Choose African Blackwood if…
- Bending strength matters most — structural work, load-bearing joinery, tool handles
- The piece must hold tolerances as humidity changes
Choose Lignum Vitae if…
- Surface hardness is the deciding factor — wear parts, bearing surfaces, mallet heads
- Flexural loading is low relative to abrasion
Frequently asked questions
Which is more durable, African Blackwood or Lignum Vitae?
Neither — both carry the same EN 350 rating (Class 1, Very Durable). For outdoor work the separation is movement, not decay: African Blackwood moves 4.8% tangentially against 6.5%, which decides board width and fixing spacing more than the durability class does.
Which wood is better for outdoor use?
Both are EN 350 Class 1, and tangential movement runs 4.8% for African Blackwood against 6.5% for Lignum Vitae — close enough that decay resistance will not choose between them, and African Blackwood holds its dimension marginally better. Lignum Vitae gives the harder wearing surface at 4,390 lbf; African Blackwood is the lighter section at 0.98 g/cm³ — traffic favours the first, cladding and handling the second.
Is African Blackwood harder than Lignum Vitae?
No — Lignum Vitae is harder (Janka 4390 vs 3670 lbf).