Pros & Cons Of Using Ramin Wood
Gonystylus bancanus, often known as Ramin, is a sturdy, light-colored wood with a delicate texture and a straight grain that is used to make everything from dowels to plywood. Ramin also prefers the low, shaded swamp—where little light enters—to the higher, more open, and drier forest. Harvest is now challenging, but not impossible.
Advantages/Pros
- Color/Appearance: Usually ranges from nearly white to pale yellow, occasionally greyish. Heartwood and sapwood cannot be distinguished. prone to blue fungus stains and spalling (as in the case of the pictured sample).
- Workability: Ramin wood is a durable material that works well with both hand and power instruments. While being worked on, this wood does not crack. Overall effective hand and machine tool working qualities. Ramin does, however, have a propensity to splinter throughout cross-cutting operations. well-gaps, turns, and finishes.
- Grain And Texture: The parallel and straight grain of this kind of wood makes it easier to deal with. This wood has a delicate grain and a less shiny appearance. Straight or slightly interlaced grain typically lacks any distinguishing figures or characters. Medium to fine in texture, with little surface luster.
- Rot Resistance: Regarding resistance to decay and susceptibility to insect infestations, it is rated as non-durable to perishable.
- Endgrain: Diffuse-porous; medium to extremely large pores, rare; solitary and radial multiples of 2-3; heartwood mineral/gum deposits (amber-colored), occasionally present; narrow rays may be dimly discernible without a lens, relatively close spacing; parenchyma winged.
Disadvantages/Cons
- Odor: The smell of wood may usually be used to identify most wood products. The ramin wood has a strong unpleasant scent for a while until it turns green, and the smell fades as the season comes to a close. When still green, has a pungent smell that gradually fades as it ages.
- Allergies/Toxicity: The ramin wood is poisonous by nature. Asthma symptoms as well as skin and eye discomfort are caused by it. Ramin has been linked to adverse effects such eye and skin irritation, asthma-like symptoms, and an increased propensity for splinter infection, while serious reactions are rare.
- Sustainability: This wood is regarded as being delicate. This species of wood is listed on the IUCN Red List and in CITES Appendix II. Due to exploitation, a decline in its native range, and a population decline of more than 20% over the last three generations, it is classified as vulnerable.
- Non Durable: Because it is not durable, this sort of wood does not endure very long. Insects can quickly cause this wood to deteriorate.
- Availability: Ramin is presently listed on CITES Appendix II as an endangered species due to prior overexploitation. (this includes the entire Gonystylus genus). Although a sturdy and practical wood, there are several more readily accessible suitable household alternatives. Ramin trade is expected to stay limited to Southeast Asia, where it naturally occurs.