Replies

1. 
   jonsherryl | Jul 23, 2002 03:53am | #1

   Papa, "blunting" means the wood has a tendency to dull tools, usually due to the wood's high silica content. Wenge is a beautiful wood, but it's not particularly friendly to work with. It is hard, brittle and tends to splinter easily. Also, the fine dust is especially irritating.

2. 
   IronDog | Jul 24, 2002 01:45am | #2

   Like Jon said, Wenge is tough on tools.

   But, that does'nt make it not worth working with.

   It is a beautiful wood, black with greenish grain.

   I built a desk using wenge with cherry and the combination

   looked great. IMHO.

   A lot of tropical woods are tougher on tool edges than domestic woods. But they have a lot of other qualities to offer as well.

   The other point Jon made is important. Many tropical woods can be be irritants. Ranging from eyewatering to sneezing to possible carcinogens. But then so can domestic woods.

   Bottom line- be careful, read up, use a mask and ventilation.

   A side note - Wenge is considered to be endangered.

   But that's a whole other discussion. Does the commodification of a tree make it more or less likely to survive?

   Sorry for long winded response.

   Tom