cocobola it is, ive heard nasty reports about working with it, any thoughts/ advice
Check out the forums at
www.britishblades.com, they have LOTS of info. Before I did my knife with olive wood scales, I'm glad I checked the forums...stumbled on to a story of a guy that got really sick from sawdust...including weeks long irritation to eyes, difficult breathing....and also some memory loss. No kidding.
Go to a professional hardware store an get good masks and goggles. Check the protection type you need (P1, P2, P3 etc). It migh be that the guy behind the counter
doesn't know, so be educated. And: tape the nozzle of your old vacuum cleaner near your sanding area, so everything gets sucked away immediately.
After all measure have been taken: enjoy making your own knife!