The Mahogany Family

african-mahoganyAfrican Mahogany

Scientific Name: Khaya spp.
Location: west Tropical Africa
Dried Weight: 40lbs/ft3
Janka Hardness: 1,075lbf
Crushing Strength: 7,100lbf /in2

African Mahogany has a heartwood that ranges from very pale pink to a deeper reddish brown color which will darken with age. The grain is straight to interlocked and it has a medium to coarse texture. The wood has a good natural lustre. The end grain is diffuse-porous. African Mahogany is rated as moderately durable in regards to decay. It is easy to work with and glues and finishes well.

 

cuban-mahogany Cuban Mahogany

Scientific Name: Swietenia mahogani
Location: southern Florida & Caribbean
Dried Weight: 42lbs/ft3
Janka Hardness: 1,160lbf
Crushing Strength: 7,090lbf /in2

Cuban Mahogany varies from a pale pinkish brown to dark reddish brown color which darkens with age. The denser the wood the darker the color. The grain is straight, interlocked, irregular, or wavy and it has a medium texture. Cuban Mahogany is rated as durable to very durable in regards to decay. The wood is easy to work with and turns, glues, stains, and finishes well.

 

honduran-mahogany1Honduran Mahogany

Scientific Name: Swietenia macrophylla
Location: southern Mexico to central South America
Dried Weight: 41lbs/ft3
Janka Hardness: 900lbf
Crushing Strength: 6,550lbf /in2

Honduran Mahogany varies its color from a pale pinkish brown to a darker reddish brown, which will darken with age. The grain is straight, interlocked, irregular, or wavy. The end grain is diffuse-porous. It is rated as durable to very durable in regards to decay. Honduran Mahogany is easy to work with and turns, stains, and finishes well.

 

mountain-mahoganyMountain Mahogany

Scientific Name: Cercocarpus spp.
Location: western USA & northern Mexico
Dried Weight: 69lbs/ft3
Janka Hardness: 3,200lbf
Crushing Strength: not available

Mountain Mahogany has a heartwood with reddish brown color and a sapwood that is pale yellow or pink. The color darkens with age. The wood has a very fine even texture and gives off an excellent natural lustre. The end grain is diffuse-porous or semi-ring-porous. It is difficult to work with on account of its density and high cutting resistance. The wood turns well.

 

santos-mahogany1Santos Mahogany

Scientific Name: Myroxylon balsamum
Location: southern Mexico & Central and South America
Dried Weight: 57lbs/ft3
Janka Hardness: 2,400lbf
Crushing Strength: 11,680lbf /in2

Santos Mahogany ranges in color from a lighter golden brown to a darker purplish red or burgundy. It will turn more red/purple with age. The grain is usually interlocked and it has a medium to fine texture. The wood gives off a good natural lustre. The end grain is diffuse-porous. Santos Mahogany is rated as very durable in regards to decay. It is somewhat difficult to work with and has a noticeable blunting effect on cutters. Staining and gluing can be problematic but it does finishes well.

 

swamp-mahogany Swamp Mahogany

Scientific Name: Eucalyptus robusta
Location: eastern Australia
Dried Weight: 49lbs/ft3
Janka Hardness: 1,275lbf
Crushing Strength: 8,540lbf /in2

No other information available.