Mulumanhyama Spindle Blank

Mulumanhyama (Cassia abbreviata), also known as Sjambok Pod or Long-tail Cassia, is a striking southern African hardwood that is well regarded for turning, furniture making, and carving. The heartwood is a rich dark to pinky-red, sometimes tending towards light brown, with attractive darker streaks and speckles that give each blank a distinctive, characterful appearance — no two pieces quite the same.

Very hard and dense, Mulumanhyama turns and sands to a good, clean finish and accepts oils and sealers beautifully. It is a timber with real presence on the lathe — the combination of deep colour, natural figuring, and excellent working properties makes it a rewarding and somewhat unusual species to add to any turning collection.

Wood Characteristics

• Species: Mulumanhyama / Sjambok Pod (Cassia abbreviata)
• Origin: Southern Africa
• Colour: Dark to pinky-red heartwood, sometimes light brown, with darker streaks and speckles
• Grain: Generally straight with attractive natural figuring — streaks and speckles vary between pieces
• Hardness: Very hard — excellent durability, suitable for furniture, turning, and carving
• Finish: Turns and sands to a good, clean finish; accepts oils and sealers well
• Workability: Turns well with sharp tools; the hardness rewards patience and careful technique

Supplied

• Air and kiln dried — ready to turn
• Sizes are approximate and shown in inches (length × square)

Natural wood — colour, grain, streaking, and speckle pattern will vary between blanks. Images are representative.