Cocobolo Information - Interesting Facts About Cocobolo Wood

Cocobolo Information

COCOBOLO FACTS Cocobolo is a hard, dense, and oily wood that is almost as famous for the allergic reactions it can occasionally trigger in woodworkers as for its striking, multi-hued coloring. Despite its reputation for sometimes wreaking allergic havoc, it would be, um, "rash" to conclude that working with Cocobolo is particularly hazardous. As long as precautions are taken to protect one's breathing, eyes, and skin while working with the wood — such as using a respirator (or at least a mask), as well as donning goggles and long sleeves — any potential adverse reactions can be minimalized, if not eliminated. What undoubtedly makes Cocobolo such a highly desirable wood is its eye-catching appearance. Consisting of orangish/reddish/brownish heartwood (often with dark traces weaving throughout) and sharply contrasting yellowish sapwood, Cocobolo clearly belies any notion that "a rosewood is a rosewood is a rosewood."		Cocobolo Clarinet Bell Created by Yuan G. of Massachusetts
Dalbergia retusa Trees	Cocobolo is a favorite among makers of fine pens, knife handles, peppermills, pool cues, bowls, boxes, musical instruments (particularly guitars), game calls, gun grips, and numerous other specialty items. Although Cocobolo can be, and sometimes is, used to make salad bowls, because of its inherent allergens it's probably wise not to make items with it that will come in contact with food. Cocobolo is quite heavy and dense, with a basic specific gravity usually ranging between 0.80 and 0.98. The wood's abundance of natural oils enhance its polishing and help make Cocobolo practically waterproof. On the downside, the natural oils can sometimes clog saw blades and also make Cocobolo tough to glue. In its rough-blank form, Cocobolo often looks extremely similar to Bocote and the two woods can only be differentiated by Cocobolo's orangish tint.
The trees from which Cocobolo wood is harvested, known by the botanical name Dalbergia retusa, grow to heights of about 45 to 60 feet, with trunk diameters extending to about two feet. The trees are mostly distributed in the Pacific-coast regions of Central America, stretching roughly from Panama to southwestern Mexico. (The Cocobolo wood sold by Exotic Wood Group comes primarily from Mexico.)