going through an old pile way back in the barn i uncover a treasure the wood Ulin i bought a few planks got to be 30 or so years ago.
a friend now passed away built a plank on frame early revenue cutter from Ulin it was a WoW that looks nice.
Borneo Iron (Ulin) Wood
Ironwood is popular and Indonesian people call it “Ulin” wood because of its resistance to water and termites, so it is not surprising that
this type of wood is known as the iron version of wood. The various color variations of ironwood make it often relied upon as a furniture material
The Ulin story
English Common Name: Borneo Ironwood, Belian
Family Name: Lauraceae (Laurel Family)
Scientific Name: Eusideroxylon zwageri
Timber segments collected from 15 logged stumps in Kubah National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia, found that E. zwageri can live more than 1000
years and that the growth rate of this species is very slow The long life span and reduced growth rate of this species may be a result of its dense and durable wood containing abundant defensive compounds.
Properties
The wood texture is fine and even, with a straight grain or only slightly interlocked. The timber retains a pleasant lemon odor. This odor,
along with the woods' natural high luster, make it prized by cabinet-makers and fine furniture craftsmen.
. Also attractive to users is the resistance to insects, bacteria, fungi and
marine borers. The wood has anti-bacterial properties for local medicinal use
The wood is famed for its easy working characteristics, despite high density. The wood planes, bores and turns cleanly, producing smooth and often lustrous surfaces.
Usage
Due to the excellent resistance to bacterial, fungal, insect and marine borer attack the wood is highly prized for many outdoor uses, especially as decking. Additionally, the wood's high density and easy workability lend it to particularly desirability in maritime structures, dock construction and ship building, especially Indonesia's pinisi sail-boat. Common local uses include: House construction, door construction, water butts and troughs, boat building (Pinisi), tools, tool handles, talisman, jewellery, medicinal slivers (for wounds, cuts, abrasions, bites and tooth-ache/infection), bridges, blowpipes and spear shafts.
Boat Building
Traditional boats, such as the "perahu" and "jukung," are often crafted from ironwood. The dense, heavy wood is perfect for creating vessels that can navigate the turbulent rivers and coastal waters of Kalimantan. These boats are crucial for transportation, fishing, and trade.
Borneo Iron (Ulin) Wood
Ironwood is popular and Indonesian people call it “Ulin” wood because of its resistance to water and termites, so it is not surprising that
this type of wood is known as the iron version of wood. The various color variations of ironwood make it often relied upon as a furniture material
Conservation
The government of Indonesia and the state government of Sarawak have formally banned the export of this species.
Conservation efforts are underway, with several countries banning imports.
Species
Locally known as Belian, Borneo’s ironwood (Species: Eusideroxylon zwageri, Eusideroxylon means sinking wood) is the heaviest, hardest and most valuable timber of Borneo. That’s why it is so hard and dense that it doesn’t float on water and termites can’t bite through.
However, this hardwood can’t fight chainsaw and millions of them are fallen by greedy loggers who see it as a standing gold bar. Now only a small number of Belian trees live in most remote forest of Borneo. Belian is so strong and resistant to decay that it can last 200 years in worst condition,
i would describe the wood as a light colored Walnut with a golden hue
the texture is very fine and you can work Ulin to a polished finish. Walnut at the top has lighter streaks of the gold color
these 2 pieces are only 24 inches long 3 inches thick and 9 inches wide and are so heavy it is difficult to pick up and carry both pieces Ya it has been buried a long time so it is quite dirty.
the sap wood looks like aged ivory
another piece about 16 inches long and very heavy
a nice 3 x 22 x 5 inch piece
it is called ironwood for a reason it is so heavy and dense but surprisingly because it is resistant to splitting you can bend it the strip is 3/32 thick x 1/4 wide and bent dry with no problem.
for ship modeling it makes a beautiful hull planking trim work and cap rails. Like my old friend built the entire revenue cutter from it and polished to a golden sheen.
i will save some for myself but will cut the rest into sheets.
i need to figure a cost this wood is the rarest you will find. Works of art like carvings, models and turned items out of rare and exotic wood fetched a high price by collectors. There is not a whole lot of it so if you are interested send me a PM
