ROSEWOOD by David Schiff
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WoodSense Spotlight on Beauty runs in a big family ROSEWOOD By David Schiff Honduran Rosewood ometimes called “true” rosewood, History in woodworking India and is sold either as East Indian SBrazilian rosewood (Dalbergia nigra) e Chinese revere rosewood and have rosewood or just rosewood. Dalbergia is a beautiful hardwood. Its namesake used it to make exquisite furniture since sissoo, sold as Indian rosewood, grows is inspired by the sweet rose-like scent the 16th-Century Ming Dynasty. China in northern and western India. produced when cut. Woodworkers have still ranks as the world’s largest consumer coveted it for centuries to use in the nest of rosewood. Today most woodworkers, Selecting a species furniture and musical instruments. In nd rosewood too expensive as a primary Except for Brazilian rosewood, other 1992, the Convention on International furniture wood. It’s more likely used as varieties are relatively simple to obtain, Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) veneer or inlay, or for small, prominent but they can be expensive. Although listed Dalbergia as “most endangered,” parts such as knife and tool handles. family traits make the wood easily iden- suspending all commercial trade unless Rosewood turns well, and small scraps ti able (dark heartwood and creamy the dealer could prove that the wood are used to make pens and the black sapwood that mellows when exposed was harvested before that date. As of pieces in the nest chess sets. Rosewood’s to light), the Dalbergias vary in color and January 2017, all Dalbergia species are excellent acoustic properties are great grain, even from one board to the next. listed on CITES Appendix II. is list- for making guitars and other musical Considering the investment ($15-20 BF ing requires dealers to obtain permits in instruments, like marimbas, that rely order to export from the country where on wood vibration to produce sounds. Rosewood Quick Take the wood is harvested. DENSITY 53-62 lbs./cu. ft. Fortunately, there are many branches Where the wood comes from HARDNESS Very hard in the rosewood family tree. In fact, there Many rosewood o shoots grow in other STABILITY Very stable are approximately 300 tree species listed as parts of South America and in Central ROT/INSECT Dalbergia. While most of them are shrubs America. e common titles typically Very resistant or climbers, there are a dozen varieties that indicate the country of origin, though RESISTANCE Fine to moderately produce cabinet-grade lumber. ese trees some species have a wider range than TEXTURE share many desirable qualities but vary in their names suggest. coarse appearance and working characteristics. Out of necessity due to restrictions, TOXICITY Moderate to severe To know what you’re buying, you’ll need many woodworkers turned to two Indian Furniture, instruments, to familiarize yourself with a few scienti c species—Dalbergia latifolia and Dalber- USES turnings, carvings, names. And consider purchasing a few gia sissoo that are almost indistinguish- tool handles stand-ins referred to as rosewoods, even able from each other. Plantation-grown Note: Although similar, Dalbergia’s though they aren’t technically members Dalbergia latifolia, o en marketed as attributes vary slightly according to species. Ranges indicate species differences. of the rosewood family. “Sonokeling,” grows primarily in East 62 Burmese Dalbergia oliveri Honduran Dalbergia stevensonii East Indian Dalbergia latafolia It sounds as good as it looks. Luthiers love rosewood for its physical beauty and its excellent acoustic properties. The guitar back and sides shown here are made of East Indian rosewood. and up) it’s a good idea to select the stock based glue. To avoid adhesion failure, A rose by many other names in person if you can. mill or sand the edges, and then wipe Luthiers love Brazilian rosewood’s the surface with naptha before gluing. acoustic properties as well as the attrac- Epoxy or polyurethane glue work well. tive colors ranging from a honey-gold Despite its lovely fragrance, rosewood to a dark chocolate brown. Indian rose- dust can be quite irritating. Depending Bolivian Patagonian Bubinga woods are beautiful in their own right, on the species, symptoms range from but don’t have the color range of Brazil- dermatitis to skin lesions, and minor ian—they are typically a reddish-brown. sinus irritation to asthmatic-type reac- tions. e Dalbergia extractive is a very Although not Dalbergias, these rosewood Working rosewood in the shop potent allergen for some. In some cases, substitutes are reasonable stand-ins. Brazilian rosewood earned its reputa- musicians who experience only minimal Macherium villosum, sold as Bolivian tion for its beauty and working quali- exposure to the wood—by way of skin or santos rosewood, morado, and pau ties. Despite being very hard and dense, contact with chin rests or fretboards— ferro, all look like Brazilian, but do not the wood is exible and unmatched as have developed skin rashes. As with any have the same acoustic qualities. All the a “tone wood”—perfect for luthiers. wood, wear a NIOSH-approved dust commercial supply comes from Bolivia. e rosewoods share myriad qualities, mask and use good dust collection. Curapay (Anadenanthera colubrine), including outstanding turning and shap- aka Patagonian rosewood, is a dense, ing characteristics, exceptional stabil- Finishing durable Argentinian wood. Curapay, which ity, and excellent decay resistance. e True rosewoods—and rosewood substi- is often used for high-end fl ooring in the Indian rosewoods perform most like tutes—can be polished to a shine, but United States, is less expensive than true their Brazilian kin, but there are some the resinous, waxy sawdust gums up rosewood. Its wild grain tends to tear when noteworthy di erences with the other sandpaper. A cabinet scraper works great worked with either hand or power tools. siblings. Honduran rosewood is di cult for removing mill marks. Wet-sanding Bubinga (Guiboutia demeusei) and its to work with hand tools, and while it is another good option. e extractives close relative, Guibourtia coleosperma, machines well, it dulls cutters quickly. can prevent oils and oil-based polyure- are sometimes referred to as “African Burmese rosewood is usually straight thanes from curing properly. Test before rosewood.” These woods have an attractive grained and easy to work with hand tools nishing, or seal the wood with shellac. salmon pink color with a tight grain that or machines, but it also blunts sharp Rosewoods vary when it comes to grain. can be wavy or straight. African rosewood edges in a hurry. Depending on the sample and species, planes and cuts well, but contains silica Dalbergias contain extractives that can you may need llers to achieve a super- that quickly dulls steel blades and bits. sometimes hinder adhesion with water- smooth nish. I OpeningOpener and photo: guitar: TK; DavidProject Schiff; photos: Samples: TK; Illustrations: Bobby Schehl TK Feb/Mar 2018 | woodcraftmagazine.com 63 SUBSCRIBE! 2 YEARS for $29.99! go to woodcraftmagazine.com and click SUBSCRIBE -or- Complete the form below and mail in an envelope addressed to: WOODCRAFT MAGAZINE PO BOX 7020 PARKERSBURG WV 26102-9916 □ Payment Enclosed □ Bill Me Name Address City State Zip Country E-mail Best-ever DECORATIVE FINISHES Build Better Send in now to get LUMBER RACK Done Right with a CUT LIST Projects, Techniques and Products Build this 2 Years for $29.99! classic SPICE BOX And learn how to… Dovetail a case Divide a cabinet into compartments or go to woodcraftmagazine.com and click SUBSCRIBE Create a cornice By providing my e-mail address, I am indicating I’d like to receive information about my subscription and other offers from Woodcraft Magazine via e-mail. Outside of the U.S and Canada add $30 for postage. Plus… Foreign orders must be prepaid. 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