African Mahogany
Khaya ivorensis • Exotic/Tropical Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Principally interlocked grain creating a distinctive ribbon stripe pattern when quarter-sawn; texture is medium to coarse with fairly large open pores.
Color Description
Heartwood varies from a light pinkish brown to a deep reddish brown. It exhibits a high natural luster and chatoyance. The color tends to darken significantly with age and light exposure.
Hardness Rating
830 lbf (Soft to Medium-Soft)
Durability Rating
Moderately Durable; offers some resistance to rot but is susceptible to insect attack and not as durable as genuine Honduran mahogany.
Common Uses
Furniture, cabinetry, boat building, interior trim, veneer, and musical instruments (specifically guitar backs and sides).
Geographic Origin
West Tropical Africa (from Guinea to Cameroon, including Ivory Coast and Ghana).
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$7.00 - $12.00 per board foot depending on thickness and figuring.
Wood Age Estimate
The sample appears to be freshly milled or recently sanded/surfaced lumber, likely less than 5 years old from time of processing, showing little oxidative patina.
Sustainability Status
Listed on the IUCN Red List as Vulnerable due to a population reduction of over 20% in the last three generations; generally available as FSC certified.
Workability
Generally easy to work, though interlocked grain can cause significant tearout during planing or surfacing. It glues and finishes well but requires grain filler for a smooth glass-like finish.
Notable Features
Often used as a affordable alternative to Genuine Mahogany; lacks a distinct odor and has a lower silica content compared to some other tropical hardwoods.
Finish Recommendations
Responds well to all finishes. Use a paste grain filler if a level surface is desired. Water-based and solvent-based lacquers or penetrating oils highlight the chatoyance best.
Identification Confidence
High; the reddish-brown hue combined with the specific coarse pore structure and evident ribbon-like interlocked grain is characteristic of the Khaya genus.