Cocobolo Spindle

Cocobolo is a hardwood from Central and South America yielded by two to four closely related species of the genus Dalbergia. The best known and probably the species contributing most of the wood in the trade is Dalbergia retusa. Because of its great beauty and high value, this species has been heavily exploited and the tree is now in danger of extinction outside of national parks, reserves and commercial plantations. Cocobolo is a very beautiful wood, known to change color after being cut. The heartwood is typically orange or reddish-brown in color, often with a figuring of darker irregular traces weaving through the wood. The sapwood is a creamy yellow and contrasts sharply with the heartwood. It is fine textured and oily in look and feel, and stands up well to repeated handling and exposure to water. The wood is very hard, and is easily machined, although due to the abundance of natural oils, the wood tends to clog abrasives and fine-toothed saw blades. Like other very hard, very dense tropical woods, Cocobolo is brittle. A common use is in gun grips, small turnings and knife handles. Cocobolo is also quite dense, and even a large block of the cut wood will produce a clear musical tone if struck. Due to its density and hardness, Cocobolo can be polished to a lustrous, glassy finish.