Bloodwood Lumber

Bloodwood (Brosimum rubescens) is a dense South American hardwood named for its striking, vivid red colour — one of the most saturated reds available in natural wood. It has a fine, even grain, a Janka hardness of approximately 2900, and high natural durability. Bloodwood is used for accent work, inlay, turning projects, knife handles, and decorative woodworking where a deep, natural red colour is the design intent.

Bloodwood is susceptible to fading from UV exposure, which gradually reduces the red saturation toward a more orange-brown tone. Applying a UV-inhibiting clear finish and keeping finished pieces away from direct sunlight preserves the colour longest. The colour change is gradual rather than sudden, and bloodwood retains an attractive warm tone even after fading.

Yes. Bloodwood's extreme hardness dulls tools quickly and requires sharp, well-maintained cutting edges. It turns well on the lathe and sands to a smooth, lustrous surface but requires patience due to the density. The natural oils in bloodwood can slow glue curing — wipe surfaces with mineral spirits before gluing and allow extended clamping time.

Oil finishes, wax, and clear varnishes all work on bloodwood. UV-inhibiting finishes are strongly recommended to preserve the red colour. The natural oils in bloodwood can cause adhesion issues with some film-forming finishes — test on scrap first. Oils that penetrate the surface work more reliably than thick film finishes on highly resinous or oily exotic species.

Windsor Plywood carries bloodwood as a specialty exotic hardwood subject to current availability. Contact your local Windsor Plywood branch to confirm whether bloodwood is in stock and in the dimensions suitable for your project.