Recommendation? Inconsistent Wood Handle Color

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zpete

Joined
Jul 2, 2020
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Hi all, so I was roughing the shape for a handle today and noticed some color difference while I was grinding away. Pretty sure its not a burn because I was keeping the temp low. The part of the handle in the image that's darker is near where the end grain edge of the block was.

sH9sa2b.jpg


Any insight on what this discoloration is from? The wood is cocobolo if that helps. Also any recommendations on how I should finish the handle with the discoloration?
 
scott kozub said:
I've never seen cocobolo that light in colour. Not sure about the discoloration.
Click to expand...

I got the block from a friend and it was labeled as cocobolo and it certainly looked like cocobolo but maybe it was stained/dyed and he was mistaken? Don't know why anyone would stain a block other than to be a bother.
 
It doesn't look like Cocobolo to me. Most Cocobolo I've seen is much more colorful and darker. But I'm no expert.
Here's a photo of a Cocobolo handle I'm currently working on
etWjMAo.jpg
 
Not sure of the wood species, but perhaps the end grain was soaked with an oil or something that wicked in to slow drying. You’ll most likely have to oil it to blend it out.
 
if its cocobolo, you cannot mark/dent it with your fingernail. it will seem almost as hard as stone. it looks very light in color, but i have seen cocobolo
almost an orange color in the past, but it is usually a darker caramel color.
 
Last edited:
I have seen this before. Yes, it is Cocobolo.

Wipe the wood down with any kind of oil and leave it in the sun for a little while, the oclor will become more bold as it trends towards a bright flame orange.
 
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