Help Identifying handle wood?

Justin.Mercier

Justin.Mercier

Joined
Oct 21, 2006
Messages
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I had this one block of wood which I have no idea what it is, but it was a litlte over a half inch thick, so i split it down the center and I'm going ot use it. It's very pretty, but i havent a clue what it actually is, and would like to be able to let someone know if they ask. It's very dense, and the dust is an ochre red / orange color. The outsides of the block are darker where it's been exposed to air for a long time.

handle.jpg
 
I'd have to agree with Dan. Most cocobolo I've used was a little darker but a few pieces were this light.
I'm no expert though.
 
Looks like some cocobolo to me too, probably from mexico. It's definitely a sensitizer though, so use protection when ya work it, if you want to keep working with it or other rosewoods.

edit: If it was brazilian rosewood you would probably know it, and it looks more like cocobolo to me. lame factoid: brazilian rosewood was cheap and common before it became the main ingredient in 'chanel #5' parfume
 
Chechen Rosewood would be my first guess , 'Bolo my second.

Actually is the dust is red red red , cocobolo it may be.

Does it have a scent to it ?
 
I have some African olivewood that looks about like that. You can tell olivewood by its pizza like smell when working it.
 
I have to agree with the majority, it does look like cocobolo. I always thought it had a cinnamon smell when I was working it. "Mmmmm, shmells likes Christmas!"
 
I used to use tulip wood. I think thats what it is. Cocabolo is darker. I know thats what Chuck says too but he just beat me to the post.
 
Looks like cocobolo. It can be that light sometimes, and that's a nice piece. If you know what cocobolo smells like you can confirm it. My second guess is tulipwood but I doubt it and tulipwood is lighter than that and it wouldn't have the purple stripes. I'm quite sure its cocobolo. If I can smell or even feel it, I would know for sure. I use that wood a lot.
 
My first thought is kingwood, but my experience is limited. Kingwood dust is similar to the color you describe.
 
What the heck i might as well tell you it looks a lot like lignum vitea. Justin it would sure help if you could post a photo of the outside of the scales if you have not ground them yet.

Bob
 
I'm gonna step outside the concensus and say it looks like Bubinga, I have some that looks nearly identical to those pieces. If the dust doesn't bother your nose or skin thats my choice.
 
I agree with joesouth. I've used a good bit of bubinga (mostly on non-knife projects), and it looks just like it to me. Bubinga is heavy and dense, too. It has a distinctive, not too pleasant, smell when you sand it, but not so much when you cut it with a saw. It could be a light colored piece of cocobola, though. Either way, it looks great!

Todd

edited to add: The darkening with exposure sounds more like cocobola.
 
looks like paduuk to me... with the red/orange dust I woudl think so too, but there are no smells over the internet.

Alan
 
I have about 5 board feet of cocobolo in my shop that could very well be from the same tree, if it has a cinnamon-ish smell when you cut into it I would say cocobolo. Great wood, I haven't needed to stabilize any I have gotten, because of the resin content (gums up belts and sawblades :( ) but sanded to 400 grit and hand rubbed with Johnsons Paste wax it has a beautiful look and feel.

-Page
 
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