-- Last Updated: Nov-06-12 7:06 PM EST --
...... it's really hard , moving into the realm of Ebony but not quite .
Bought a plank to cut up for restoration of an old cast iron bench bought from the flea market and had a little bit left over .
One of the hardwood specialty places (Exotic Lumber) around here sells Ipe in 1-1/16" x 5-1/2" x 16' for deck planking . The stuff can be left outside unfinished for 100 years and not rot (just turns grey) .