African Mahogany
Khaya ivorensis • Exotic/Tropical Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight to interlocked grain with a medium to coarse texture; exhibits a faint ribbon stripe figure in some sections.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from a pale pink to a deep reddish brown. It displays a natural golden luster and significant chatoyance that tends to darken with age and exposure to light.
Hardness Rating
1,070 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Moderately Durable; offers moderate resistance to rot and termites but remains susceptible to insect attack in certain conditions.
Common Uses
Furniture, cabinetry, veneering, boat building, interior trim, and musical instruments.
Geographic Origin
Tropical Africa (West and Central Africa)
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 to $9.00 per board foot.
Wood Age Estimate
Approximately 30-50 years based on the patina of the finish and the style of the joinery and molding profile.
Sustainability Status
IUCN Red List: Vulnerable; not currently CITES listed, but widely available with FSC certification.
Workability
Generally easy to work with both hand and machine tools, though interlocked grain can cause tearout during planing if not careful. Glues, stains, and finishes well.
Notable Features
Features a characteristic ribbon-stripe figure when quarter-sawn; has a scentless profile and low toxicity, but dust can be a mild irritant.
Finish Recommendations
Responds excellently to oil-based finishes, lacquer, and polyurethane; a grain filler is often recommended to achieve a perfectly smooth glass-like surface.
Identification Confidence
High; the reddish-brown hue combined with the diffuse-porous structure and characteristic ribbon-like grain pattern is indicative of the Khaya genus.