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Bocote is one of the wildest looking woods we carry, a golden to olive brown background streaked with bold, dark swirling figure that looks almost hand painted. If you want bocote veneer sheets for a statement piece, this is genuine wood veneer worth having on hand.
We cut and sell bocote veneer by the square foot in small, maker-friendly sizes.
What is bocote veneer?
Bocote veneer is a thin slice of real wood, from the Cordia family native to Central America and Mexico. Slicing it thin stretches one dramatically figured tree across many sheets, so a single log covers far more surface than the same wood sawn into solid boards. Because it is genuine wood veneer, not a printed laminate, it sands, stains, and finishes exactly like the solid board it came from.
Quick facts
Origin: Central America and Mexico
Color: Golden to olive brown background with bold dark blackish brown streaks
Grain / figure: Wild, swirling figure with eyes and streaks, similar in drama to burl
Cut: Plain sliced
Janka hardness: About 2,010 lbf
Thickness: We stock 1/45 inch raw and thicker options
Backing: Raw, or paper backed veneer on request
Workability: Good, though the wild grain can tear out if cut against the flow
Sold: By the square foot, ready to ship
Appearance and figure
Bocote's grain is genuinely unpredictable, swirling dark streaks and small eyes scattered across a golden to olive brown ground in patterns that never quite repeat. It carries some of the visual drama of a true burl without technically being one. Every sheet has its own layout of streaks and swirls, which is exactly why makers pick it when they want a one of a kind panel.
[Buy bocote veneer on eBay →]
Working and finishing tips
Bocote cuts well with a sharp razor knife, though the wild grain means you should watch cutting direction carefully to avoid tearout. It presses and glues normally with standard wood glue or contact cement.
Bocote contains natural oils, like many tropical hardwoods, so wear a dust mask when sanding. An oil or lacquer finish makes the figure and color pop.
Honest cautions.
- Wild grain can tear out. Test your cutting direction on a scrap corner before committing to a full sheet.
- Natural dust can irritate. As with most exotic species, wear a mask when sanding or cutting.
- Figure varies dramatically sheet to sheet. If you need a matched set for a symmetrical project, order sequential sheets from the same log rather than mixing sources.
Best uses
- Statement panels and box lids. The wild figure is the whole point, best shown uninterrupted.
- Marquetry and inlay. A dramatic centerpiece species for a picture or pattern. See Veneer for Boxes & Marquetry.
- Guitar tops as an accent. A bold alternative for makers who want something different. See Veneer for Guitars & Luthiers.
For another wildly figured exotic, compare our Ziricote. Browse the full Wood Veneer Types pillar or head to the Shop.
Sustainability and sourcing
Bocote is not currently CITES listed. As with all our tropical species, we favor established suppliers who source responsibly. Veneer stretches a dramatically figured tree across far more finished surface than the same log cut into solid lumber.
Available now on eBay
Every sheet below is a live WoodCycle listing. We are US-based and ship fast, usually within one business day.
Frequently asked
Is bocote the same as rosewood?
No, bocote is a Cordia species, not a true rosewood, though its dramatic figure is sometimes compared to rosewood's dark streaked look.
Why does bocote figure vary so much between sheets?
Its swirling grain pattern is naturally individual to each tree and cut, which is part of the appeal for one of a kind panels.
Is bocote veneer hard to work with?
It is generally workable, but the wild grain can tear out if cut against the flow, so test on a scrap piece first.
What finish works best on bocote?
An oil or lacquer finish makes the color and swirling figure pop clearly.
Where does your bocote come from?
Central American and Mexican bocote, sourced through established veneer suppliers. It is not CITES listed.
Need another species for the project?
Browse the full species library or shop live listings on eBay.