Brazilian Rosewood

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Armacielli

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Feb 8, 2008
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I got 5 BR blanks. I've never turned it and I know this stuff is endangered and rare so if there is anything I should know to prevent any problems I'd appriciate it excessive hardness? tendencies to crack or tear out? brittleness?
 
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holmqer

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Isn't Brazilian Rosewood another name for Jatoba?

If so, while it is hard, it turns fairly easily but it is a bit chippy. A co-worker just put in a hardwood floor using this stuff and gave me a cutoff. I turned it the other day and put a CA/BLO finish on it today.

I treated it like PR, turned at 1800 RPM with a scary sharp skew.

It seemed to soak up CA like a sponge
 

mrcook4570

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Mar 27, 2005
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Mason, WV, USA.
Jatoba is Brazilian Cherry. Brazilian Rosewood is considered THE rosewood by many. It turns very similar to Honduran Rosewood - not quite as oily as cocobolo. Some people use cocobolo as a substitute for Brazilian Rosewood. Personally, I think cocobolo is prettier.
 

Armacielli

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haven't turned any Honduran Rosewood either (I'm kinda sheltered when it comes to the good stuff) so I need a more familiar comparison.
 

DCBluesman

Passed Away Mar 3, 2016
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First, it is not endangered or rare. The Brazilian government put a ban on exporting for the next 50 years due to overharvesting of 'old growth' Brazilian rosewood.

It's not a great wood for pens as it tends to have a straight grain without much character. It's beautiful in larger objects, like guitars.

It turns like any other rosewood. I't hard, should turn very nicely, is a bit oily and takes a very high polish. I prefer to use lacquer over rosewood as a finish.
 

Dan_F

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Nov 8, 2007
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Spokane, WA, USA.
It makes a lovely guitar...
P1010465.jpg


Dan
 
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