i used zebra wood in my risers, but i think you're depriving the wood of i's natural beauty when you do that. as far as toughness, i think its almost exactily like padouk, hard to work with, easy to splinter, but beautiful. It looks great on nocks, especially if there long nocks, but i think the best way to use the wood is if you use veneers, it looks absolutley stunning, it might take away the primitive edge, but the looks are unbeatable. it also looks rally good with a purpleheart transition, thats my two cents. -jimmy