Merbau tree: description, characteristics and features

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Merbau tree is a common commercial designation for wood of different species from the genus Intsia of the Legume family. This wood has a number of advantages that have already been appreciated by experts in various fields. We will talk about the merbau tree, its properties and features in this article.

Description

Merbau wood has a red-brown color. In its structure, it has a high level of hardness, perfectly polished. The index of its density at a moisture content of 12% is more than 800 kg/m2.

Merbau wood has been proven to be much stronger than teak and oak in terms of hardness. It is very resistant to various kinds of damage and scratches. The processing of this wood does not require additional steps to get rid of fungi and insects. This wood has durability classes 1 and 2, which means "very good" and "good". Under the influence of light, the color of the wood gradually darkens. In southeast Asia, the merbau tree is considered one of the most valuable.

Use

Merbau has a fairly high commercial value. RelatedThis is due to the fact that it is widely used in construction. Recently, this tree has been used for the manufacture of cabinet furniture facades, doors, parquet, parquet boards, laminate, countertops, balusters, railings, and many musical instruments.

In the Philippines, merbau wood is considered the standard for strength and durability. The rest of the wood samples are compared with it. In European countries, it is primarily used in the manufacture of parquet boards and parquet. Merbau has proven to be an excellent wear-resistant and durable material, ideal for this type of production.

Various decorative panels are made from it to decorate the facades of buildings, as well as interior spaces. Due to the increased moisture resistance, this wood is used in decorating bathrooms. It is interesting to know that earlier railway sleepers were made from merbau wood, as well as spacer beams used in the construction of bridges and dams.

History

There are a huge number of trees in the tropics, but not all have such valuable characteristics as the merbau tree. Several centuries ago, the natives made canoes from it, which were passed down from generation to generation. Currently, specimens of boats that are more than four hundred years old have been preserved in New Guinea. As well as canes, axes and spears, bowls, various decorative ornaments.

These peoples have the expression "strong as a merbau", which speaks of the best qualities and strengths of a person. During the various rituals performednatives, bowls from this tree are used as sacred vessels.

Merbau - wood for knife handles. Reviews

This wood is used to make knife handles. In addition to high technical qualities, it looks quite attractive. Use wood of a brown and light brown shade. If the merbau texture is interspersed with yellow veins, then such specimens are considered especially valuable.

According to the masters, knife handles made of merbau are durable and not subject to any defects. Such a handle will not receive mechanical damage even when used in the most extreme conditions.

The owners of knives with handles made from this wood note its excellent characteristics. The texture of the wood is dense, which does not allow the knife to slip in the hand when working with it. For example, when hunting, when butchering game, the knife is very convenient to use. In addition to its special strength, this tree looks very aesthetically pleasing, emphasizing the beauty of the blade.

Knife makers, creating a handle from such a tree, note certain difficulties in the processing process. To achieve the desired result, you have to spend a considerable amount of time using secrets and skill. This is due to the high strength of the material and the peculiarities of the production technology. However, after finishing the work, polishing and varnishing the handle, many are happy to note that the work was not in vain. Excellent performance and visual beauty once again highlightthe uniqueness of this material.

This wood is of such high value, because it allows you to create products of high quality and extraordinary strength.

Products made from this wood are highly valued by collectors and cost a lot of money.

Fight against smuggling

You can see how impressive the merbau tree looks in the photo. His excellent qualities are highly valued. It should be noted that due to its high characteristics and value, this tree is not cheap. Because of what, the export of such material is under the strict control of such states as, for example, the Philippines, Thailand, Australia and Indonesia. However, there is also smuggling, which brings good profits. The authorities are fighting this phenomenon, stopping all attempts to illegally export merbau abroad.