Strange wood

[Joebobber]

I got this wood from a guy closing his shop. He said he's had it for 20+ years. He said it's definitely a rosewood, he just didn't know what kind. I turned a ferro rod and before I put a finish on it you could see the grain. It was black with black grain. It smelled like a perfume an old lady at church wears. Very strong. I took a picture of the blank with the finished rod. Anyone know what the heck this is, or how do I figure out what it is?

 

[PatrickR]

Sounds like Brazilian Rosewood. It has a strong pleasing odor and finishes very dark.

 

[mark james]

The number of different Rosewoods it could be, is large! Other than a documented wood ID, I wouldn't sweat it beyond a 'Rosewood.'

Nice turning. If it smells like you described, that's my mother!!!

 

[Dehn0045]

I've never done it, but sending a sample to USDA for analysis is probably the most accurate method for ID. Without analysis I think you can reasonably call it rosewood, but anything more specific is probably a stretch.

Forest Products Laboratory - USDA Forest Service

Web site for the United States Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory. Part of Forest Service Research & Development, serving the United States and the world.

www.fpl.fs.fed.us

 

[PatrickR]

I've never done it, but sending a sample to USDA for analysis is probably the most accurate method for ID. Without analysis I think you can reasonably call it rosewood, but anything more specific is probably a stretch.

Forest Products Laboratory - USDA Forest Service

Web site for the United States Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory. Part of Forest Service Research & Development, serving the United States and the world.

www.fpl.fs.fed.us

i recently sent a couple samples to them and found they only identify the family. A waste of time for me as I already new what family the pieces were in.

 

[Joebobber]

Here's a better picture of the finished wood

 

[PatrickR]

Nice piece with a great finish.
I would still bet on Brazilian Rosewood. Once you have worked it you won't forget the smell. I have not worked any other rosewood with the same smell.

 

[Joebobber]

Nice piece with a great finish.
I would still bet on Brazilian Rosewood. Once you have worked it you won't forget the smell. I have not worked any other rosewood with the same smell.

Thanks for the compliment. I really hope it's not since that would be a huge waste of it. Like the time I used what turned out to be cocobolo burl on a ballpoint twist pen.

 

[PatrickR]

I wouldn't consider it a waste. Small plain pieces of BRW are still easy to get. I made a pentel from some. All of the really nice stuff was cut for guitars long ago though.