# STL287: Should you use exotic wood?

- Show: [Shop Talk Live](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live)
- Published: 2023-03-24
- Length: 1h 18m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2023-03-24-stl287-should-you-use-exotic-wood
- Listen: https://shoptalklive.podcast.static.taunton.com/stl287-should-you-use-exotic-wood

## Summary

Scott Landis of Greenwood Global and luthier Michael Bashkin discuss the complex ethics and logistics of using tropical hardwoods, specifically mahogany, in woodworking and instrument making. They detail Greenwood's partnership with Taylor Guitars to source FSC-certified mahogany from Honduran community forests, highlighting the challenges of governance and market incentives. Bashkin explains his personal strategy of buying old stock and planting trees, while Landis describes efforts to build an artisanal wood industry in Puerto Rico using hurricane-damaged timber to create economic value for local forests.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2023-03-24-stl287-should-you-use-exotic-wood#t=6) Introduction: Scott Landis and Michael Bashkin on tropical hardwoods
- [1:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2023-03-24-stl287-should-you-use-exotic-wood#t=97) Scott Landis's history: From woodworking to Greenwood Global and Honduras
- [9:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2023-03-24-stl287-should-you-use-exotic-wood#t=560) Michael Bashkin's background: Forestry research and transition to luthiery
- [14:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2023-03-24-stl287-should-you-use-exotic-wood#t=890) The Taylor Guitars partnership: Sourcing Honduran mahogany and FSC certification
- [24:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2023-03-24-stl287-should-you-use-exotic-wood#t=1480) Challenges in tropical forestry: Governance, illegal logging, and incentives
- [31:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2023-03-24-stl287-should-you-use-exotic-wood#t=1904) Future of mahogany: Constricting supply, substitutes, and global trade
- [37:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2023-03-24-stl287-should-you-use-exotic-wood#t=2221) Puerto Rico's forest recovery: Using hurricane down timber for artisanal industry
- [49:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2023-03-24-stl287-should-you-use-exotic-wood#t=2948) Bashkin's harvesting: Beetle kill spruce and responsible sourcing strategies
- [53:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2023-03-24-stl287-should-you-use-exotic-wood#t=3211) Consumer advice: Asking suppliers for provenance and supporting local woods
- [1:02:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2023-03-24-stl287-should-you-use-exotic-wood#t=3758) Woodworker responsibility: Taylor's ebony use, Conservation by Design, and Artisan Eco Tours

## Topics

- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Sustainability & circular products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sustainability-and-circularity)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Greenwood Global (company)
- Taylor Guitars (company)
- FSC (other)
- Bashkin Guitars (company)
- International Pernambuco Conservation Initiative (company)
- Conservation by Design (other)

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- [Episode 033: More listener questions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2015-08-21-episode-033-more-listener-questions) (Making It)
- [432: The Windowlicker Room](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2024-03-01-432-the-windowlicker-room) (Making It)
- [Episode 307: Use this thing-ama-jiggy to cut this doo-hickey](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2021-05-14-episode-307-use-this-thing-ama-jiggy-to-cut-this-doo-hickey) (Making It)
- [Episode 294: Bwhu, bwhu, bwhu, bwhu](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2021-02-05-episode-294-bwhu-bwhu-bwhu-bwhu) (Making It)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2023-03-24-stl287-should-you-use-exotic-wood. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Shop Talk Live.