So i've collected a very small pile of pretty wood. Cocobolo padauk, wedge. What I was wondering is how careful I have to be of developing or having an allergic type of reaction once I start cutting and sanding away?  What actual precautions should I realistically take... mask or gloves? I'm building my first red oak board bow with simple hand tools in an apartment setting

I would use a mask and safety glasses. I would also do an online search to check for allergens on these woods. Jawge

I can make one knife handle with Cocobolo and be ok. If I make two in a row, I break out in hives. I guess it gets enough dust into my eyes and skin. When I use it I better have the Benadryl ready.     In an apartment setting you'll have to think about the neighbors too.

A few things you can do to cut down on reactions.  one is don't use acetone to de oil the wood before applying smooth-on.  something about epxoy, acetone, and fiberglass, that can mess you up.  Use denatured alcohol, made a big difference.  If your' going to do this sort of thing alot, get a dust collector, and a cartridge type half face dust mask.  

I get nasal reactions to cococolo, bocote, and the rose woods.  I won't use ebony if I can help it, ipe is out of the question, yew is toxic not so much alergen but I don't use yew much so that's no problem.

But be sure and protact or airway, eyes, and sensitive parts of you skin.  a bad reaction can put an end to things.

I made bows for several years and never had a problem. Then out of the blue, my eyes almost swole shut, the webs of my hands and the creases in my elbows itched and were red for days. It took some trial and error to figure out it was cocobolo doing me in. Had no problems before. I tried protecting my self, but I still feel the affects. I just don't use it any more. It was one of my favorite woods too.

QuoteOriginally posted by Bodork:
I made bows for several years and never had a problem. Then out of the blue, my eyes almost swole shut, the webs of my hands and the creases in my elbows itched and were red for days. It took some trial and error to figure out it was cocobolo doing me in. Had no problems before. I tried protecting my self, but I still feel the affects. I just don't use it any more. It was one of my favorite woods too.

I think I'm there also!  Makes me look like a zombie, all red and swollen eyes.

May have to discontinue it....  :(

Exotics are gorgous and I use them with no problems but its not the not being able to see or breath, or all the scratching.  Ya know one of my favorite riser wood is some hickory flooring boards that has a lot of the black in it.  It really looks great once clear gets on it.

Please remember your family, also. You may be OK but your clothes,with the dust, could effect your wife and kids. I tell my wife when using any exotics, so she is careful, when washing my clothes. She washes my bow clothes by themselves. Don

WOW! I'm honestly kind of surprised but I believe you! Thanks for taking the time to post guys. I'll heed the warnings.

Ipe really messed me up three years ago. I still have problems from that encounter.