Cocobolo Kitchen Island top?

Allergies

Steve Antonucci

>As pretty as it might be, assuming that you don't care about the expense, I'd still be cautious about allergic reactions to the wood itself. All of the dalbergia (rosewoods) are notorious for this.

I can imagine sitting at the counter and then finding a rash on your arm where you were leaning.

In addition, I would also suggest that cocobolo has a very distinct smell and in a large quantity might not be pleasant.

Steve

Re: Allergies

Ted Wong

>I've found that many of the dense tropical hardwoods don't stay stable very well in the thicker dimensions. I've had problems with an 8/4" edge glued Cocobollo table top where the boards kind of did what they wanted to and snap the glue line.

Re: Cocobolo Kitchen Island top?

Clint Searl, at the base of Haycock Mtn

>I made our dining table from a couple pieces of book matched 6/4 cocobolo, finished with automotive acrylic lacquer, around 20 years ago. It has remained absolutely stable, but has acquired some dryness cracks due to sun exposure. Although I'm very allergic to the natural and dust, one it's finished, there's no problem.

Clint

The table 

Clint Searl, at the base of Haycock Mtn

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Re: Cocobolo Kitchen Island top?

Moses Yoder in White Pigeon, MI

>My opinion is that I would not use a wood that if I remember right grows very slowly and is relatively rare, which is why it is expensive. I think woodworkers have a responsibilty to use wood responsibly ;) Walnut is a very nice wood that is not in high demand right now and grows quickly. The company I work for built a very nice island countertop out of 8/4 walnut strips face glued so the edge grain was on top, like a butcher block. My own personal opinion is that I would save the cocobolo to make very nice tools or small boxes and such, and use walnut or some other wood for the kitchen counter.

Re: Cocobolo Kitchen Island top?

Clint Searl, at the base of Haycock Mtn

>According to one vendor, "All of the cocobolo wood sold on the COCOBOLO KING website is true cocobolo rosewood with the scientific name dalbergia retusa. This cocobolo comes from an extremely dry region in Nicaragua and is usually salvaged from fallen trees that were knocked down by Hurricane Mitch several years ago. Our company has reforested nearly fifty thousand cocobolo trees so we will be able to provide a supply for many years to come.

These trees have been planted on old cattle farms and have been reforested in a way that guarantees that these trees are sustainable and environmentally friendly. These reforestation projects are audited by the Smartwood/Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC)."

So why not use it?

Clint

Impressive table!!!

Bart Goldberg

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Re: Cocobolo Kitchen Island top?

Moses Yoder in White Pigeon, MI

>I have nothing against people who want to use cocobolo for their kitchen counter. It is just something that I personally wouldn't do for the reasons I mention. I also have never trusted salespeople; I work with sales people, and they will tell you absolutely anything they feel like saying, and then try and figure out later if we can actually build what they sold. Would I have any objections to using ivory for a kitchen countertop, besides the cost? Absolutely. But if someone wants to build an ivory counter, then by all means do so.