cocobolo combs & allergy?

I'm planning on making a set of combs for my girlfriend, and was all set to use cocobolo because it looks great and supposedly can deal well with water. Then I started reading about the 'poison-ivy like' allergy associated with the dust from this wood. I'm not worried about that because I can deal with the dust while I'm making the combs. What has me concerned is that she will be using the combs on her head. Is there an allergy problem with the solid wood too? If I make her something that causes her head to break out, she won't be so happy...

Thanks Chad

Reply to
Chad Bender
Loading thread data ...

As they say, some are sensitive to it, the rest will become sensitive. It's the oils/chemicals in the wood, which are made more available when they're spread in dust. Damn good thing it isn't a manufactured product, or we'd have endless lawsuits....

That said, her exposure will be much less than yours.

Reply to
George

There are thousands of cocobolo pens out there and California hasn't banned them (yet).

-- Jack Novak Buffalo, NY - USA (Remove "SPAM" from email address to reply)

Reply to
Nova

Reply to
Gerry

Ok, then can anyone recommend a good, unobtrusive finish to use on this? I've read that because it is oily it doesn't take most finishes very well.

Thanks Chad

Reply to
Chad Bender

Standard tactic is to remove surface oil with a solvent like acetone prior to application of the finish.

Wip>

Reply to
George

HomeOwnersHub website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.