African Mahogany
Khaya ivorensis • Exotic/Tropical Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Principally straight to interlocked grain; texture is medium to coarse. It displays a characteristic ribbon-stripe figure when quarter-sawn.
Color Description
Heartwood varies from a pale pink to a deeper reddish brown. Sapwood is yellowish-white. It exhibits a high natural luster and significant chatoyance; colors darken and richen with age and light exposure.
Hardness Rating
830 lbf (Soft to Medium)
Durability Rating
Moderately Durable; offers some resistance to rot and termite attack, but is susceptible to marine borers and powder post beetles.
Common Uses
Furniture, cabinetry, high-end joinery, boat building, veneer, musical instruments (guitar bodies), and interior trim.
Geographic Origin
West Tropical Africa (from Guinea to Cameroon, including Ivory Coast and Ghana).
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 - $10.00 per board foot
Wood Age Estimate
Relatively recent/new stock based on the lack of deep oxidation, light patina, and crisp machine-cut edges.
Sustainability Status
Listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List; not currently CITES listed, but widely available with FSC certification.
Workability
Generally easy to work with hand and machine tools, though the interlocked grain can cause tearout during planing or surfacing. Glues and finishes well.
Notable Features
Often used as a more sustainable and affordable alternative to Genuine Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla); may have a faint scent when being worked.
Finish Recommendations
Accepts stains and finishes exceptionally well. Polyurethane or lacquer are common; oil finishes enhance chatoyance but may require a grain filler for a perfectly smooth surface.
Identification Confidence
High; the reddish-pink hue, coarse texture, and distinct elongated vessel lines are characteristic markers of the Khaya genus.