Discolored cocobolo?

[goldendj]

Neighbor asked me to make a few pens for company gifts. I had one piece of cocobolo, and when I turned it to size it looked like this ...



Almost like it had been splashed with an orange dye ... Now I have to find a different blank and go buy a new kit for the tube ... She needs them Wednesday night. Aaarrgh!

 

[mark james]

Neighbor asked me to make a few pens for company gifts. I had one piece of cocobolo, and when I turned it to size it looked like this ...

View attachment 344909

Almost like it had been splashed with an orange dye ... Now I have to find a different blank and go buy a new kit for the tube ... She needs them Wednesday night. Aaarrgh!

Looks like the blank may also have cracks; possible to save with CA? The grain looks nice, but hard to tell if the blank will end up being attractive.

But... Last minute orders are tough to do with limited time. I hope all ends well.

 

[KenB259]

Aside from the cracks that is high end cocobolo, typically called king cocobolo, much more prized than the dark brown variety.

 

[Oliver X]

I've never worked with the stuff, but I was watching a video last night of a guy making a cue stick from cocobolo and he mentioned something about it oxidizing and changing color quite rapidly. Might just need to rest for a few days or sit in the sun to return to something close to the color it was before it was turned.

 

[PatrickR]

I've never worked with the stuff, but I was watching a video last night of a guy making a cue stick from cocobolo and he mentioned something about it oxidizing and changing color quite rapidly. Might just need to rest for a few days or sit in the sun to return to something close to the color it was before it was turned.

Yes, cocobolo will change color very quickly. I think it's oxidation. I've never put it in the sun and it always changes from an orange/purple/brown when fresh cut to deep red/brown. I would be concerned about the checks long term.