Ekki timber - advice on working this?

[profchris]

I've been given a slab of Ekki, which my reading tells me is dense with interlocking grain, has mineral deposits which dull tools, and is mostly used for marine applications (the stash of which this is a part came from a canal). It's almost exactly on the quarter and is about the size of half a railway sleeper, cut lengthwise. To me, it looks like a lifetime supply of ukulele fretboards!

The donor makes green oak buildings, and says his power tools struggle with it. Any tips on working, other than to get really good at sharpening?

 

[skipdiver]

Must admit to not knowing that timber. New one on me.

 

[Freddyjersey2016]

I saw a pair of canal lock gates being installed at Stroud this summer, made by Hargreaves of Halifax in Stroud - they were made from Ekki (a west african hardwood) - the wood will blunt carbide tipped tools it is so hard and abrasive. Took a team of 3 guys nearly 3 days to fit all the parts sufficiently closely that there were very few leaks.