On Sun, 17 Apr 2005 06:54:29 GMT, ok wrote:



"Joe Bleau" wrote in message
. ..
With the prices and scarcity of teak I am just wondering if anyone
here has tried using Jatoba (aka Brazilian Cherry) as a substitute?
Or, how about Ipe (Sometimes called Brazilian walnut). Informed
comments appreciated.

Not informed until I became curious enough to look them up in a book:

Jatoba aka Courbaril aka Locust:

Are you sure about this? I heard locust grows in Eastern Washington,
Wa state, usa. They used it for fence posts 60 years ago and it's
still good, they just flip it over and plant it for another 60. The
stuff I saw represented as Locust varnished to a honey blond and is
supposed to darken after exposure to sunlight. It didn't have much
personality at all but is supposed to be durable and strong.



Jatoba is definitely a tropical hardwood and bears no resemblance to
locust. That's why I asked for informed comments.