African Mahogany
Khaya ivorensis • Exotic/Tropical Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Interlocked grain with a medium to coarse texture; exhibits a ribbon-stripe pattern when quarter-sawn and a broad cathedral figure in flat-sawn boards like the sample.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from pale pink to a deeper reddish brown; sapwood is yellowish-white. It exhibits high natural luster and chatoyance, darkening significantly over time with light exposure.
Hardness Rating
830 lbf (Soft to Medium-Soft classification)
Durability Rating
Moderately Durable; offers some resistance to rot but is susceptible to insect attack and not suitable for direct ground contact.
Common Uses
Furniture, cabinetry, boat building, veneers, interior trim, and musical instruments (specifically guitar bodies).
Geographic Origin
West Tropical Africa (from Guinea and Ivory Coast to Cameroon and Gabon).
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
Approximately $7.00 to $12.00 per board foot depending on thickness and width.
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly milled or surfaced look; minimal oxidation or patina suggesting it is a newer stock or recently planed down.
Sustainability Status
Listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List; widely available but subject to conservation scrutiny; FSC certified stock exists.
Workability
Generally easy to work, but the interlocked grain can cause significant tearout during planing or surfacing; glues and finishes well.
Notable Features
Often used as a more affordable substitute for Genuine Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla); lacks a distinct scent and can cause respiratory irritation from its fine dust.
Finish Recommendations
Accepts stains and finishes very well; grain fillers are recommended if a glass-smooth high-gloss finish is desired due to the open pores.
Identification Confidence
High; the reddish-pink hue, distinct open-pore structure, and characteristic ribbon-like chatoyance are consistent with the Khaya genus.