Padauk

padauk, face grain	padauk, endgrain

Padauk is a flashy African hardwood that is brilliant orange-red when first milled, but darkens over the months following to a nearly black burgandy. I use it for corners in railfence cutting boards. It glues poorly; best to use epoxy or polyurethane. Its color can also run into adjoining woods. Its hard and a bit brittle, but cuts cleanly, and is fun to work with sharp hand tools. It's very oily with a sweetish scent, and causes skin allergy in some people. I'm one of them. It makes me red and itchy behind my ears (and other places if I inhale too much). So beware!