CHICO ZAPOTE Pipe

[olbaidhh]

I'm looking to make a pipe out of CHICO ZAPOTE, I'm a call maker, duck, goose, predator... have been for many years. I recently got interested in making pipes after being inspired by the great ones being made here. It's a hobby for me, I really work as an I.T. geek. SO... back to the main question... Can I make a decent pipe out of this wood? It's not toxic according to my searches on the wood databases, I believe natives even made gum out of the bark at one point. My piece of wood is really quite dark for Zapote and looks great...has anyone had success with this wood, and what could I be missing?

 

[olbaidhh]

Anyone? ... did I miss some protocol here or something?

 

[pruss]

I don't think you missed a protocol, but perhaps asked a question to which no one knows the answer.
It's also entirely possible that your post lagged off the bottom of the main page because of when it was posted, and was missed by folks who might know the answer to your question. So bumping it like you did might help.
Welcome to the forums. Call maker, eh? That's cool.
I did a quick search for Chico Zapote and found it listed on the Wood Database as a wood which has been known to cause nasal and lung irritation. So I imagine this, as well as availability/awareness, is one of the reasons why it isn't commonly used in pipe making.
http://www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/wood-allergies-and-toxicity/
-- Pat

 

[olbaidhh]

Yes a call maker even before the Duck Dynasty BOOM and everyone thought they would become the next big call maker or rich!

 

[olbaidhh]

Here are a few pics I had handy...

 

[ericusrex]

Beautiful work! I'd never heard of that wood.

 

[brownpeter335]

Wow! It’s amazing...