Replies

1. 
   Jamie_Buxton | Apr 18, 2005 12:40am | #1

   Makore is darker, IMO.  You might check out Spanish Cedar.   (It is neither a cedar nor Spanish, but looks a lot like mahogany.)

1. 
   dirtstirrer | Apr 18, 2005 01:06am | #4

   Thanks Jamie, I'll dig a sample up and take a look.  The photos I can find online are of course cigar box related and are not really that good.  My first impression of the photos is that it resembles Honduran mahogany more then the good stuff.  I don't have a piece to look at, so more research is in order.

    Steve

2. 
   Rich14 | Apr 18, 2005 12:53am | #2

   African mahogony, khaya spp (Meliaceae).

   Rich

   Don't ever learn anything new. Rather than give you satisfaction that you know more than you did, it will only confirm you know less than you thought by opening horizons to things of which you had never dreamt and which you now must explore.

1. 
   dirtstirrer | Apr 18, 2005 01:03am | #3

   Rich,

   Thats aka sapple right?

    Steve

1. 
   Rich14 | Apr 18, 2005 02:59am | #8

   Steve,The term "African mahogany" seems to cover a number of species. IMO, khaya spp are the closest in general appearance to the mahogonies from the Carribean and Central America, including Honduras ("Genuine") mahogany. The African woods are heavier (more dense) but have similar figure, color and working qualities (although I've never found wood that equals Cuban or Honduras for carving).Sapele (Sapaele), entandrophragma Cylindricum, is also called an African Mahogany. They have a very "mahogany look" but they are also "their own wood." The samples I've seen are more highly figured than "plain" Honduras and the very highly figured examples of Sapele have their own characteristics that set these magnificent woods quite a bit apart from the Central American varieties.Rich

3. 
   Floss | Apr 18, 2005 01:15am | #5

   Have you tried Certainly Wood? They purchased some genuine mahogany from Blue Moon exotics when they went out of business and may still have some. I think the stuff they were selling was from Palau. Of course this was some time ago but ask if they have mahogany veneer from Palau. Worth a try.

   J.P.

   http://www.jpkfinefurniture.com
1. 
   dirtstirrer | Apr 18, 2005 01:27am | #6

   Thanks for the lead, I'll give it a whirl.

    Steve

1. 
   LeeGrindinger | Apr 18, 2005 03:38am | #9

   Hey Joseph,Why don't you give yourself and your wife a break and get out here to MontanaFest and do a workshop on three toed claw and balls?LeeMontanaFest

1. 
   dirtstirrer | Apr 18, 2005 04:37am | #10

   Hi Lee,

   I suppose you meant to post that last one to j.p., not me.  No one would learn a thing from me, although I am thinking about making the drive just to see if I can absorb some knowledge.

    Steve

2. 
   Floss | Apr 18, 2005 05:29am | #12

   Hi Lee,When I saw the info you first posted for Montana fest I was really interested since I have a friend who lives in Bozeman and I have yet to visit. However my wife and I are expecting our first child on August 17 so I think that it would be pushing it a little bit if I were to leave town just before the baby is due. Is this MontanaFest going to be an annual thing?J.P.http://www.jpkfinefurniture.com

1. 
   LeeGrindinger | Apr 19, 2005 06:53pm | #14

   Annual? Boy, I can't answer that one. It's going to depend on Ruthie's and my stamina, costs both in time and money, and the interest MontanaFest generates within the woodworking community.We're taking this thing as a one year deal right now.LeeMontanaFest

2. 
   dirtstirrer | Apr 18, 2005 01:35am | #7

   I just looked at your portfolio, spectacular work!

    Steve

1. 
   Floss | Apr 18, 2005 05:14am | #11

   Thanks. The mahogany from Palau is slightly pink but very dense and the pores are much finer than much of the "Genuine Mahogany" that you can get from South America. The nice tight grain and small pore structure of the stuff from Palau also makes it a good candidate for french polishing if you are so inclined. J.P.http://www.jpkfinefurniture.com

3. 
   dirtstirrer | Apr 19, 2005 07:12am | #13

   j.p.,

   I just dug up the Blue Moon Exotics web sight, and it looks current.  You say they are out of commision?  I wonder if this is a dead end.  I've got a lead on some Cuban mahogany, but if it dosen't work out, maybe I'll email these guys? 

   http://www.bluemoonexoticwood.com/index1.html

    Steve

1. 
   Floss | Apr 19, 2005 10:46pm | #15

   I had heard that they were going to get back into lumber sales again I just havent kept up with it. Another avenue is to look for online auctions. Some folks sell island mahogany that has been felled by hurricanes or tropical storms. However this type tends to be smaller boards of varying quality. I purchased some from a dealer in Buffalo NY that was very dense, nearley twice that of honduran, for 4.80 bf. He purchased it from an importer in Flordia who buys alot of storm damaged wood.There are good deals to be had if you don't mind looking and have the time.J.P.http://www.jpkfinefurniture.com