Replies

1. 
   saschafer | Jan 22, 2008 06:27am | #1

   The true mahoganies (three species in the genus Swietenia) are found only in the New World, occuring from southern Florida through central South America. One of them, Swietenia mahogani, is the species to which the name "mahogany" was originally applied; these days it is most often called Cuban mahogany. It is nearly extinct in the wild, but is being grown in cultivation in several areas. Most commercially traded mahogany is Swietenia macrophylla (Honduras mahogany).

   Two African genera, Khaya (African mahogany) and Entandrophragma (sapele, utile) are closely related to Swietenia, and are sometimes considered to be mahoganies, but that's mostly just wishful thinking on the part of the people who want to sell it to you.

   There are woods from the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia that are sometimes called "mahogany," based on their appearance, but they are unrelated to the above.

   As for which is "best," it depends at least to some extent on what it's being used for. And the rest is subjective.

   -Steve

    

2. 
   ak | Jan 22, 2008 07:05am | #2

   Cuba. Just like the cigars! Seriously, the most sought after Mahogany for the last 200+ years has been Cuban. Every once and a while you can find some from hurricaine damage in south Florida, but for the most part it is illegal to obtain due to trade embargos. Honduran runs a tight grained second. The Brazillian variety will no longer be available to to over harvesting and serious poaching problems. So, we're left with other varieties that fit the bill but are not quite the same. African is the most widely used. It's the one I purchase.

   Adam

3. 
   hammer1 | Jan 22, 2008 07:27pm | #3

   The African species are not true mahogany's. They just look a lot like them. In my area, khaya is half the price of Honduras. It has a ribbon like grain and the grain changes directions from ribbon to ribbon and also in depth. Because of this, it can be challenging to mill and shape. It's one of a few species that can tear out on a rip blade. It can have a tendency to twist. My current project is in khaya. It's beautiful when fresh cut but it oxidizes quickly, loosing the chatoyance you see when fresh. I intended to do some carvings on the piece but practice sessions made me change my design. It doesn't work anything like Honduras, which can be a joy. You have to work with the grain, which can be difficult with molded and shaped parts. I am wondering how much it will darken over time, pieces change in color overnight. Just the same, I enjoy working with it and like the price.

   Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

4. 
   oldusty | Jan 23, 2008 12:06am | #4

   James ,

            I just finished up a job in what was sold to me as Genuine Mahogany .

            The type you should use may be best determined by the intended use .
            For instance there was no Genuine veneer plywood panels available out West so I used African veneers .After finishing in a color I call Violet Purple it all looked Purple to me .

        so if your job calls for plywoods , see what is available before you buy your solids .

            African price was about $5 per foot and the Genuine was closer to $8 .

           There were bore holes from some critter looked like rusty nail holes before you ever get the wood . The wood was very soft imo , and dented easily compared to Honduras .

                      dusty

5. 
   jimmy | Jan 23, 2008 01:32am | #5

   http://www.bluemoonexoticwood.com/pricelist.html  The pices are high, but this is the closest you'll ever get to Cuban Mahogany (the Best) until the embargo is lifted...I have used this guys stuff and its fantastic...Jimmy

1. 
   saschafer | Jan 23, 2008 01:51am | #6

   Cuban mahogany's native range isn't restricted to Cuba; it occurs in southern Florida and throughout the West Indies. The reason you don't see any "wild" Cuban mahogany on the market isn't because of the Cuban embargo; it's because Cuban mahogany is a CITES Appendix I endangered species. For all practical purposes, commercial trade in "wild" Cuban mahogany is prohibited.

   -Steve

    

1. 
   JamesS | Jan 23, 2008 04:16am | #7

   Thanks for the info !!!!  I have a chance to get (a bunch) of mahogany that a friend of my son ordered from Belize. 7/8" x 4 1/2 wide x 9' long. His wife & the architect decided they wanted white trim in his new 8500 sq. ft. house. The price is right, FREE!!

   James

1. 
   Mackwood | Jan 23, 2008 06:10am | #8

   Free mahogany is definately the best!!"WISH IN ONE HAND, S--T IN THE OTHER AND SEE WHICH FILLS UP FIRST"

2. 
   creekwood | Jan 23, 2008 02:50pm | #9

   Yes, there's just not much left anymore. A few years ago there was a great article in FWW about mahogany. It told why it's basically gone, of the colonial cabinet makers' love of it, and how PT boats from WWII used it for the beams, light and strong. Some awesome pics of huge slabs around the early ninteen hundreds.

   Jerry