Even the smallest pieces of Bocote are easy to pick out among other woods; the dramatic black stripes against the vibrant yellow brown are unmistakable. This distinct appearance is made all the more distinguishable with its unusual grain. The grain of Bocote is often wavy, developing into eyes - mind you, not knots, so its workability is unaffected by its unique appearance. At a Janka hardness rating of 2010, it would not have been ideal for shields, but we doubt our Viking Lumberjack predecessors could have resisted turning this species into some knife handles. That being said, had they had access to these Central American trees, they may have been more interested in its fruits... The fruit of the Bocote tree has several different names, including snotty gobbles and clammy cherries.