Cocobolo

[Chris Christenberry]

I have a piece of Cocobolo that has been heavily coated in wax for 25+ years. It measures 8 1/2"x8 1/2"x2 3/4". It's very straight grained and would make a really nice bowl. One of the guys in the local turning club asked me what it's worth and I've had it for so many years I couldn't begin to tell him. Any rough ideas of it's value so I can see if he's interested?

[Brian Kent]

$112.55 is my guess.

[Chris Christenberry]

That's pretty much in the neighborhood of what the dealers have responded with since I started searching this evening. I've gotten everything from $115 to $145. Thanks.

[Barry McFadden]

That seem way too high if you compare it to the ones for sale here.. http://www.exoticwoodsusa.com/order_cocobolo.htm

[James Tibbetts]

That seem way too high if you compare it to the ones for sale here.. http://www.exoticwoodsusa.com/order_cocobolo.htm

They have a 3.2x8x8 that is almost the same number of cu in's for 112.50, so it's certainly in the price range.

[Chris Christenberry]

Yup, just looked that up.

Had my Friday morning breakfast where a bunch of us woodworkers from furniture makers to turners, carvers and veneer artists sit and chew the fat. Took the hefty chunk to get some opinions. Out of 6 in attendance, 5 gave prices above $110. One suggested $95. But the highest of the 5 said $125. So I'm comfortable with telling my friend I'll let it go for $110. I think that's fair.

Thanks for your help.

[Klaus Waldeck]

I wonder if these prices are accurate:

http://www.goosebaylumber.net/SpeciesSpecs/BowlBlanks.html
(http://www.goosebaylumber.net/SpeciesSpecs/BowlBlanks.html)
They're selling at around 25 cents per cubic inch, and you're selling at 55 cents per cubic inch.

Maybe I should drive up there, buy all the Cocobolo they've got, and sell it at a markup! I wonder if the price of Cocobolo in my area is really low. Just like the price of Mesquite is quite high.

[Barry McFadden]

They have a 3.2x8x8 that is almost the same number of cu in's for 112.50, so it's certainly in the price range.


Sorry....I misread some of the sizes!!!!

[Julie Moriarty]

The last time I bought cocobolo, about 6 months ago, I think it was going for about $35-40 bd/ft.

[Bruce Pratt]

Cocobolo is listed as CITES Appendix II since June 2013. It is becoming harder to get, and the price will continue to increase. Is your piece all heartwood, or does it also contain some sapwood?

[John Keeton]

Bell Forest sells an 8x8x3 for $99, but I doubt it is dry.

[steve worcester]

if I turned cocobollo, I would definitely pay more for something I could turn that is dry and didn't have to pay for shipping.

[Mike Hollingsworth]

Beware
That stuff has a hard time drying if it's thicker than 2".

[Russell Neyman]

Oily, too. I turned a huge piece earlier this year and really struggled with fisheye.