Cocobolo is a hardwood from Central 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, a fair-sized tree, reported to reach 20-25 m in height. 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 plantations. Beech is a typical temperate zone hardwood The term hardwood designates wood from angiosperm trees. ... Species See text Dalbergia is a large genus of small to medium-size trees, shrubs and lianas in the pea family, Fabaceae, subfamily Faboideae. ... Binomial name Dalbergia retusa Hemsl. ...

Cocobolo is a very beautiful wood, known to change color after being cut. It usually is orange in hue, with a figuring of darker irregular traces weaving through the wood. It is fine textured and oily in look and feel, and stands up well to repeated handling and exposure to water. A prime use is in gun grips and knife handles. Cocobolo is also extraordinarily dense, and even a large block of the cut wood will produce a clear musical tone if struck. A tree trunk as found at the Veluwe, The Netherlands Wood is derived from woody plants, notably trees but also shrubs. ...

Only relatively small amounts of this prized wood reach the world market and it is expensive. Cocobolo is highly favored for fine inlay work, brush backs, knife handles, musical instruments (especially guitars), pistol grips, decorative and figured veneers, bowls, jewelry boxes, and other expensive specialty items. Care must be used when working this wood, as its sawdust is dangerous; many people develop an allergy when exposed to it. A sawdust collecting system must be in operation. A Browning 9 millimeter Hi-Power Ordnance pistol of the French Navy, 19th century, using a Percussion cap mechanism Derringers were small and easily hidden. ... A veneer is a thin covering over something. ... Sawdust is composed of fine particles of wood. ...