If you’ve watched Better Call Saul, there is no way you would have missed Jimmy’s cocobolo desk. Yes, we’re talking about the sleek, dark desk that Jimmy paid a pretty penny to be able to keep.
You may have wondered what’s so special about this desk. Well, unlike a typical piece of furniture, a cocobolo desk is a status symbol, a conversation starter, and, let’s be honest, one of the best pop culture references out there.
Today, we’re diving deep into this luxurious piece. You’ll learn about its origins, price tag, and why Jimmy was so insistent on having it.
Contents
What is a Cocobolo Desk?
A cocobolo desk is more than just a desk. It’s a masterpiece and a statement. Crafted from the heartwood of the Dalbergia retusa tree, this exotic wood has a stunning, deep red-brown hue and intricate grain patterns you won’t see anywhere else.
The wood itself is incredibly dense and hard, which makes it perfect for fine woodworking. In simple words, it’s a desk that’s as strong as it is beautiful. The question is, what makes a cocobolo desk so special that it got a mention in Better Call Saul?
Well, firstly, cocobolo isn’t just your average wood. It’s a tropical hardwood that’s prized for its durability and unique aesthetic details.
Plus, it’s far from easy to make. Crafting a cocobolo desk is a labor-intensive process that only a select few skilled artisans have mastered. Every piece is meticulously handcrafted, which means that each desk is one-of-a-kind.
Cocobolo desks are also pretty minimalist in design. With no extra embellishments distracting you, the natural beauty of the wood is truly able to take center stage. You’ll really notice the clean lines, simple forms, and functionality of the piece.
Inquire more about Cocobolo Desk:
Why Did Jimmy Want the Cocobolo Desk?
Jimmy McGill’s (Saul Goodman) fascination with the cocobolo desk is yet another quirky but telling glimpse into his character. When he landed a coveted position at Davis & Main in the episode “Switch,” he was immediately drawn to it.
It wasn’t just its sleek design or high-end status that appealed to him. In fact, it’s pretty clear he didn’t even know what cocobolo meant. It was the sound of the word “cocobolo” that appealed to him.
This may seem like trivial detail buit it reveals a lot about Jimmy’s personality. He’s a man who appreciates the finer things in life, but he’s also a bit of a show-off. The cocobolo desk was a status symbol, a way to impress his colleagues and clients.
However, his obsession with the desk also highlights his impulsive and sometimes reckless behavior. After getting himself intentionally fired from Davis & Main, he wrote the firm a check for $7,000 in the episode “Inflatable”. This was after Clifford Main told him the price of the expensive desk in a taunting manner. The writing of this check was an act of defiance and was another example of his willingness to go to great lengths to get what he wanted.
Ultimately, the writers also used the cocobolo desk as a microcosm of Jimmy’s journey from small-time lawyer to criminal mastermind. It’s a symbol of his ambition and then eventually his greed and downfall. When the authorities seized his belongings in “Wine and Roses,” the desk was among the items taken.
Do you think that was a fitting end to the cocobolo desk — a symbol of his wrongly achieved gains?
History and Source of the Cocobolo Wood
Although Jimmy didn’t know the history behind the iconic cocobolo desk before he paid seven grand for it, you still can.
Cocobolo is the heartwood of the Dalbergia retusa tree. It’s a tropical hardwood native to Central America, found primarily in countries like Mexico, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Panama.
This exotic wood has been prized for at least fifty years for its stunning appearance and durability. Its rich, dark brown color is often streaked with deep red and purple hues. Overall, it’s a highly sought-after material for fine woodworking.
A botanist named Hemsley was the first to give this exotic wood a scientific name back in 1878. But it wasn’t until 1916 that Henry Pittier put Cocobolo on the map. Thanks to Pittier’s research, we know that Dalbergia retusa is the primary source of this stunning wood.
These trees can grow quite tall, reaching 75–80 feet with trunks as thick as 3 feet. The real magic, though, lies in the heartwood.
Its rich, dark colors and ability to take a mirror-like polish make it a top choice for furniture makers and artisans. And let’s not forget, cocobolo is dense. So dense, in fact, that it’ll sink in water instantly.
However, the beauty of cocobolo comes at a cost. Due to overharvesting and habitat loss, many cocobolo tree species are now endangered or critically endangered.
In fact, as of 2017, cocobolo was listed as “vulnerable” in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which regulates international trade in endangered species. This means that the trade of cocobolo is strictly controlled to ensure its sustainability.
How Much Does a Cocobolo Desk Cost?
Yes, Jimmy did pay $7,000 to be able to keep his beloved cocobolo desk, but it’s clear he was overcompensating just to make a statement. So, how much does a cocobolo desk really cost? Well, the exact number depends on the specific desk you’re looking for, but we can give you a few estimates.
For instance, this rare cocobolo desk designed by Don Shoemaker is listed for around $15,000. Yes, that’s more than double what Jimmy paid, but this is a truly rare piece. It has a unique patchwork of cocobolo wood and is a collector’s item due to its designer provenance and vintage condition.
Don’t worry – more affordable cocobolo desks can be found in the range of $500 to $3,000. For example, you’ll find all kinds of custom-made or less well-known designer desks priced around $1,000 to $2,500, depending on their size and design intricacies.
You can still get a cocobolo desk if you’re on a very tight budget. That’s right; on platforms like Etsy, smaller or simpler cocobolo desks can be found at around $175. However, prices can increase to about $600 for more detailed or larger pieces.
Cocobolo Wood as a Symbol of Luxury
Cocobolo is a pop culture reference and status symbol. This exotic hardwood has jaw-dropping beauty and incredible durability you’ll hardly find nowadays. With a Janka hardness rating that’s off the charts—around 2,960 pounds-force—cocobolo is one of the toughest woods on the planet.
Cocobolo’s heartwood is also a treat for the eyes. The deep reds, vibrant oranges, moody purples, and rich browns create a mesmerizing pattern as unique as a fingerprint. That’s the main reason many vendors even sell ocobolo desks for as expensive as $15,000. Talk about luxury!
Beyond furniture, cocobolo is also often used in collectibles. Collectors highly seek out pens, chess sets, and musical instruments made from this wood.
Cultural Impact of Cocobolo Wood
Cocobolo has been used by indigenous peoples of Central America for thousands of years. They value it for its strength and beauty and use it to craft tools, weapons, and ceremonial objects. Its durability made it suitable for all kinds of uses, which is why it was very important in local cultures long before European contact.
Following the Spanish conquest, cocobolo gained popularity among European artisans who used it for furniture making and decorative arts. This period marked the entrance of cocobolo into international markets. There, it quickly became a sought-after material for high-end craftsmanship!
As we mentioned, cocobolo is in high demand right now. Unfortunately, this has led to illegal logging practices that threaten Indigenous lands and ecosystems.
That’s especially true in Asia, where cocobolo is sold by weight instead of volume. Indigenous groups, such as the Embera/Wounaan in Panama, have actively protested against illegal logging that destroys their forests and cultural heritage.
Are Cocobolo Desks Sustainable?
Unfortunately, the IUCN classifies cocobolo as “vulnerable” due to illegal logging and habitat loss. That is why its numbers have been declining significantly recently. The wood is listed under CITES Appendix II, which regulates its trade to prevent overexploitation.
Yes, cocobolo trees reduce carbon and contribute positively to climate mitigation. However, their slow growth and high market value encourage illegal harvesting practices that damage ecosystems.
It’s very rare that cocobolo is harvested using sustainable methods like managed plantations and agroforestry systems. But if we ever want to balance the current market demand with environmental protection, we need to start practicing them.
Conclusion
So, there you have it. The cocobolo desk is more than just a cool Easter egg in Better Call Saul—it’s a beautiful display of craftsmanship with tons of history and culture. Yes, these desks are beautiful, but we recommend making smarter choices if you want to reduce their environmental impact.