Whilst on a zip line tour I came across an oddity of the locals using Ebony for housing material. Some of the locals offered to cut me off a piece of Mexican ebony beam that is approx 7"x7"x 48". The thing is black as can be and 100 lbs or more. The beam came from an old house but was being stored outside. Upon chainsawing the center section the elements weather damage seems only surface. Question is how to get it back to the US and do I keep it whole or cut it up more? Could be a damn good and heavy gun stock or for fore end caps. The funny thing is there is a bunch of this timber there all quite seasoned and stable. Any thoughts or opinions? I am trying to figure out the exact species but only came accross this on a quick Internet search. http://savagewoods.com/katalox-wood/

If it is katalox, which seems likely, it is perfectly legal to import it. However, your problem would come in trying to convince the US Customs that it IS katalox. I'd contact them, describe the situation, and ask them how to proceed.

Sounds like a great find. That piece you're talking about will likely weigh about 50 pounds, give or take.

Thanks for the insight. I would be shocked if it weighed under 90 lbs. I think it is about 100-110 lbs. I will see if I can weigh it. Might need a used golf club bag to carry it.

You're right on the weight. My bad. Somehow I diadded when I should have subvided. It would contain just over 1 1/3 cubic foot and at the published wt/cubic ft of katalox (72 pounds) should weigh 98 pounds, more or less, but, of course, individual pieces of wood can vary quite a bit from the average sp. gr.

I have found it from Laredo to down at McAllen. Some has brown streaks in it, pretty nice stuff...

Update. Weight is a bit over 100 lbs. the luggage scale would not go over that but exceeded 100 lbs. found a hacksaw to cut a bit off the end to get it under 100 lbs for flight home. For a stock blank I need about 36" right? It is 48" but I hate to cut off any more than needed for transport. I got ahold of a hacksaw and cut off a corner piece to see if it would work and damn this is some tough wood. If I am reading the rings properly it looks about 80 rings per inch and you have to look close to see anything but black. It feels like a heavy tough plastic more than wood. There are some splits radiating off the center but most could be avoided I think. I am not sure if this could be a matching pair of stock blanks being so heavy but damn it would look cool. Maybe I could make some knife scales ect with the end I cut off. I will post pics when I get back. Just hope I can get it to the US after all the trouble and adventure of retreiving this from the jungle.

Boom stick - Starting an ultralight backpack rifle project?

Lol
I always thought a stock made from desert iron wood would be so cool and this is along those same lines. I was thinking perhaps a slim profile stock to keep weight down below anchor level and most definitely not a backpacking or truck gun. Thinking target rifle stock or single shot perhaps. With such a tough wood would you need a pilar bedding system to make it easier to bed like the SKS system?

With wood that heavy I think you'd be better off using it for a single shot rifle, i.e. less wood.

Yes, a slender single shot might be the best option. Thinking a matching pair for a future project. Cut off the end bit about 17 lbs for a useable leftover size and meet travel weight restriction that can be used for smaller projects like knife handles and pistol grips. The length is now about 38" and 85 lbs worth for the main part. Question now is will there be an issue getting it in the US and is it worth getting more of the same wood I might have more than enough for my personal projects.

The tee essay were perplexed and not sure what to do with the smaller piece of wood acting quite perplexed. After questioning and multiple tests and X-raying with a few laughs I was able to get my carry on piece back while the checked larger piece was not an issue. They were laughing incredulously at how heavy it was. Maybe I should not have opted out of the body scan but I do not go through the machine on principle. Now the fun of creating something with the wood. I was looking at what some companies like Cook Woods were charging for this species of wood an it seems to be anywhere from 7 to 10 dollars a pound so I am pretty stoked at my total cost including an overweight luggage fee. Thanks for the insight and helpful replies.

Sounds really interesting.

Maybe a stock for a bolt rifle like the ones on the Mauser Type B rifles where the fore end is barely wider than the barrel.

I have seen some beautiful iron wood and mesquite used in cabinets. Hope you post some photos of this find.

I will try to post some pics soon. Thanks for the idea.