Honduran Rosewood

PHOTO
DESCRIPTION	Honduran Rosewood heartwood varies from pinkish to purple-brown with irregular black markings independent of growth rings. Grain is straight to slightly wavy. Texture is medium to fine. Weight varies from about 58lbs to 68lbs per cu. ft.
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN	Central America (Honduras)
BOTANICAL NAME	Dalbergia Stevensonii
OTHER NAMES	Nogaed
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES	Denser and tougher than Brazilian Rosewood, but is mainly used where strength properties are not important. This wood is too heavy for bending.
WORKING PROPERTIES	Difficult to work. Moderate blunting effect on cutters. Reduced cutting angle recommended for planing when interlocked or wavy grain is present. Pre-drilling required for nailing. May cause gluing or finishing problems in very oily specimens. Does not take a naturally high polish, but a good finish can be obtained with care.
DURABILITY	Very durable. Moderately resistant to termites in Belize.
SEASONING	Dries slowly with a tendency to split. Can be carefully kiln dried with little degradation. Small movement.
USES	Fingerboards for banjos, guitars and mandolins, percussion bars for xylophones, harp bodies, moldings, picture frames, and decorative veneer.
COMMENTS	Widely used for turning.