Snakewood

Snakewood is an exotic wood that comes from a small, relatively rare tree found in the forests of Central and South America. Snakewood is so called for its characteristic snakeskin patterns and has been reported to be very durable. Wood is typically a reddish brown, with contrasting darker brown or black patches. This dense hardwood tends to be quite brittle and can splinter easily while being worked. It's also hard to cut and drill. The bright side is that snakewood turns well and polishes beautifully.