Allen Cocobolo
Nearly lost, Allen Cocobolo carries its story forward in the Salt Shaker shop.
The Story
When I met Mr. Allen, I discovered not only a fellow craftsman but a kindred spirit in the way he valued wood. Parkinson’s had pushed him out of the shop, but years of collecting remained in stacks and bundles — each piece chosen with care.
Among them was Cocobolo — a tropical hardwood known for its striking color and density. Allen had held onto it for years, but as he prepared to clear out his inventory, it was headed for the shredder. Rare wood like this, reduced to mulch or firewood, would have been a loss too great.
Bringing Allen Cocobolo into my shop meant more than saving exotic boards. It meant honoring the eyes and hands of another craftsman who saw value where others might not, and ensuring that this remarkable wood carries its story forward in new form.
About the Tree
Cocobolo (Dalbergia retusa) is a tropical hardwood native to Central America, most notably Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama. A member of the rosewood family, the tree grows modest in size — often 45 to 60 feet tall — but produces some of the most colorful and dense wood in the world.
In the forest, cocobolo is admired for its dark green foliage and fragrant flowers, but it’s the heartwood that earns attention: vivid streaks of orange, red, brown, and black that seem almost painted into the grain. Its natural oils make it durable and resistant to moisture, qualities that long made it prized for fine instruments, decorative work, and heirloom pieces.
The tree shown here is simply an example of the species — not the exact tree that Mr. Allen’s boards came from.
Cocobolo is one of the most striking and distinctive hardwoods a craftsman can touch. Its heartwood glows with vivid bands of orange, red, brown, and near-black, often all within the same board. Dense and heavy, it carries a natural polish even before finish, and its high oil content gives it a silky feel in the hand.
Because of that density, cocobolo works differently than many domestic woods. It turns beautifully on the lathe and takes a glass-like surface, but it also demands sharp tools and patience. Its aroma — spicy and almost floral — is unmistakable in the shop, reminding you that this is no ordinary lumber.
For me, Allen Cocobolo represents both rarity and resilience: boards nearly lost that now have the chance to show their depth of color, weight, and presence in new form.
About the Wood
Why It Matters
Every board of Allen Cocobolo carries more than vivid color — it carries the story of wood nearly lost, saved from destruction when I brought it into the Salt Shaker shop. That’s the heart of reclaimed woodworking to me: giving rare lumber a chance to live on rather than be discarded.
Cocobolo itself is uncommon, known for its density, color, and natural beauty. Paired with the act of saving it when it was about to be hauled away, these boards become more than exotic hardwood — they become a record of rescue, renewal, and craft.
Made from Allen Cocobolo
Whiskey bottle topper crafted from Allen Cocobolo — found a home.
Wine bottle topper crafted from Allen Cocobolo — now in new hands.
Whiskey bottle topper turned from Allen Cocobolo — living on in use.
Although every Allen Cocobolo topper shown here has already found a home, more pieces are on the way. This rare wood was nearly lost, but now it lives on in the shop — and new Cocobolo bowls, boards, and toppers will be available soon. And if you have a specific idea in mind, you can always request a custom piece built just for you.