dangers of coco bola

Tom Lewis

Tom Lewis

Joined
Feb 24, 2000
Messages
1,957
I have heard of knifemakers being allergic to coco bola and how some knifemakers get a rash or bloody nose from the dust

I have in the past used lots of coco bola with out any problem. I always use a respirator when grinding steel blades or handles, but never considered it necessary to wear a respirator when sawing wood. My saw has a dust vacuum attachment and right above the saw is one of those box air purifiers.
Yesterday I cut up a lot of coco bola. Later in the day I had a nose bleed. I got that stopped, then last night around 1:00am it started up again. This time it lasted around 12 hours.
You can be sure I will from now on use a respirator when cutting any kind of wood.
 
I have a whole list of precautions to take while working cocobolo and other irritating woods. Ill put it up on my site and link it in one minute
 
I hate to say it but you probably just made your self sensitive to it.

You may react now everytime you come near it.

Be careful
 
I don't use cocobolo a ton, but I use a lot of Pao Ferro which if anything is even worse. Always dust collection, respirator, and a shop coat. Cover up everything possible. Once I'm done I'll turn on the dust collector that vents outside and let it run for a good 10-15 minutes to clear the air before going back to working as normal.
I've never had a bad reaction, but the bit of exposure without proper precautions I've had left me feeling about like I was going to get sick. Since becoming rather anal about dealing with it there's never been an issue.

Such a shame the most beautiful and best smelling woods have to be the most toxic....
 
I take the above precautions, as well as a shower after any major cocobolo work, after vacuuming up the dust from the saw, grinders, etc. I like working with it and i have a lot of some very nice stock so it behooves me not to become allergic.
Sorry to hear about your epic nosebleed man, that's a drag!
 
Sensitivity to the resins in exotic woods is always something to be aware of. Washing up, showering, rinsing your nose out, etc. will all help with keeping it in check.
Recurrent nosebleeds that last a long time are something else ... I would get it checked.
 
Allergic sensitivity can change at any time . Take careful steps to minimize exposure now to save you serious problems later !
 
Not to make light of any health issues, but possibly one upside is if you go in to urgent care with an epic nose bleed they might stick some cocaine up there to stop it :D
 
Cocobolo might smell like cinnamon but it does not taste like it, and actually it makes the tip of my tong go numb and tingly. Found this out in my more reckless youth, do not try it it's not good for you.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top