African Mahogany

Mahogany wood, always been very coveted, easy work.

(Photos are purely indicative, in order to show as it is.) Materials as wood vary your drawing or pattern, with each piece. Sizes are approximate.)

Common name (s): Caoba, African Mahogany

Scientific name: Khaya spp. (Khaya anthotheca, k grandifoliola, k. ivorensis, k. senegalensis)

Distribution: Tropical Africa West

Tree size: 30-40 m high

Hardness (kg/m3): 700


Color / appearance: the heartwood colour is variable, from a rose very pale to a deep reddish brown, sometimes with streaks of reddish-brown means dark, tends to darken with age.

Grains / texture: grain is straight to criss-cross, with a medium to coarse texture. Good natural shine with a light refracting optical phenomenon known as 'chatoyancy'.

Resistance: rated as moderately durable front rot, is susceptible to insect attack.

Machinability: easy to work.

Allergies / toxicity: serious reactions are very rare, p or general, reactions more common are irritation of eyes and skin, as it can happen to any other wood, without the proper equipment, goggles and mask.

Sustainability: does not appear in the appendices of the CITES, but is on the IUCN Red list. It is classified as vulnerable due to a reduction of the population of more than 20% in the last three generations, caused by a decrease in its natural distribution area, and exploitation.

Common uses: handles requiring high turning, veneers, plywood, furniture, boat building, and interior finishes.