Chechen Wood--Caribbean Rosewood, Black Poisonwood

Your fortunate that your not allergic. Thats one wood that really did a number on me itchy rashes swollen eyes.
Good Luck

-- Aj

Your fortunate that your not allergic. That’s one wood that really did a number on me itchy rashes swollen eyes. Good Luck – Aj2

First time I used Chechen, didn’t have any issues.
Second time, hives, red swollen eyes, and respirator while sanding was only thing the prevented a trip to ER.’
Chechen is listed as sensitizer.

Be safe, not sorry.

-- If it wasn't for bad luck, I wouldn't have no luck at all, - Albert King - Born Under a Bad Sign released 1967

It is actually the sap, bark, and leaves that are poisonous. Once the wood is cured sufficiently, it MAY cause allergic reactions for some people. I have used chechen numerous times and havent had any issues. I agree, it is a great wood to work with.

-- WWBBJ: It is better to be interesting and wrong, than boring and right.

I’ve got a couple boards of it with a decent mottle figure to them. I’d love to resaw it into acoustic guitar backs and sides one day. Years ago it was touted as one of the SmartWood species in an old FWW issue. Don’t know about that designation these days, but it would be nice to have a pretty, rosewood-ish looking wood be harvested responsibly.

-- I love the smell of sawdust in the morning.

Yeah I turned some once, my forearms felt like like I walked through a forest of poison oak