Blackwood, Cocobolo, Cordia & Ebony - Natural Hardwood Blocks

[Burl Source]

I just added a bunch of new Natural Hardwood Blocks to our web store.
These are all hard, dense woods that make great handle material without the need for stabilizing.
A bunch of the pieces are "Old Stock" wood over 25 years old from the estate of knife maker Ted Dowell.

This Link will take you to Natural Hardwoods the section of our web store. Or just click on a photo.

 

[Tilaran]

In "murkin gun speak" Cordia is Bocote. In Costa Rica we call it Laurel Negro. In the kitchen it's a close cousin to the Bay leaf that people used for cooking (BM- before microwaves)
It's great stuff.
There's a white version(Laurel Blanca) we use to make furniture.Compareable to your white oak or maybe maple. It also makes a nice gun stock since it's considerable less dense than "Bocote".
Jeez. Tropical wood lesson of the day...LOL

 

[Burl Source]

When you sand it, it smells like pickles.

 

[Tilaran]

When you sand it, it smells like pickles.

Oh NO !
I'm headed to the shop for verification now ! Vlasic or Claussen ? I don't want to be disillusioned while conducting "the experiment".
I hope my GF doesn't catch me snorting a line of brown pickle powder.
They think us "merkins" are nuts already( rightfully so !).
Try explaining to a girl who grew up in a house with no electric or glass windows why you spend money building a flashlight that will set newspaper on fire !
You cant....but it sure is fun !!!

 

[Burl Source]

Maybe we should just change the name to "picklewood".

 

[Tilaran]

Maybe we should just change the name to "picklewood".

Man. That might be a problem.References to the various usage of vinegar( pickled goodies). Better left unsaid.
Really hard wood " madera muy dura" is not something to mention at the Sunday afternoon BBQ.

Life sure is complicated. Make sure you carry a nice knife which can always change a topic of conversation no matter where you are !

 

[mike deibert]

Hey Mark, if your ever in the need of some great cocobolo or guaycan let me know. I visit a saw mill close to me often that has lots of it.