Is Jatoba too hard for workbench vice chops?

[Noah Levy]

I'm installing a Lee Valley twin screw vise on my bench and have a nice piece of Jatoba that is the right size for the chops. It's awfully hard stuff though, and I don't want to risk marring something I clamp in there. I don't have any hard maple lying around but I do have some soft maple that would work. Any advice?

Thanks!

[Bill Houghton]

My grandfather's leg vise, which he used for years, had Douglas fir jaws and worked fine - in fact, I may use that when I re-constitute it. I see no reason why you shouldn't use soft maple.

[Rick Erickson]

Line it with leather and it won't matter how hard it is. You will want to do this anyways.