Cocobolo jack pot

[JTknives]

Well i just won an ebay auction for 20 pounds of cocobolo wood. it seams to me in x fine shape. the pices are 12" x 2" x 3" and i got 6 for a grand total of $42. the seller is www.cookwoods.com thay seam to have great prices. But now that i have enougth wood to last me quite a wile i need to know how to store it so it does not crack or get bad. also it says it S2S and the ends are waxed, what does that mean. here is the pictures of the wood.

this is one side

and this is the other

i figuar i can get 72 knife handles out of this wood by cutting it into chuncks that are 4" x 1" x 1.5" or 108 if its 4" x 1" x 1"

What do you think, thanks

o ya and one more thing, what the best way to finish this wood once its a handle

 

[Dakota 11]

looks good , ill be in northern california this weekend and hope to score a good amout of redwood burl that i will most likely get stabilized maybe we can trade a few pieces?

 

[Mark Roe]

JT,

Ends are waxed to prevent checking of the wood as it continues to dry or move based on dryness. Not really an issue with cocobolo as it is such an oily wood - no finish needed on it, I just sand to 800 or 1000 grit and buff. Great stuff. It is one of my favorite woods. As far as storing goes, I have had no problem with my cocobolo blocks warping or checking and I have over 150. Just keep them stored stacked in a box and use as needed. Have fun with the wood, but make sure you wear good mask filtration as cocobolo is very nasty stuff to get in your lungs. Hope this helps.

Mark Roe

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

S2S = Surfaced Two Sides . That means it is sanded as a board and the blanks are rip-sawn from that board.
Cook woods is in Clamath Falls,they used to buy a lot of their stuff from Gilmer Exotic Woods in Portland,OR. You will usually get as good or better directly from Miles or Jim at Gilmer.They do require a $100 minimum,though.
Store your wood at room temperature in a reasonably dry location and it will keep nearly forever.
Stacy