Making Sense of Mahogany
We cover all 5 varieties, and uncover a few bargains
Synopsis: Mahogany is one of the finest furniture woods, but before you go out and buy it, there’s a lot you need to know. Learn the difference between Cuban mahogany, the Honduras variety, and the African woods — sapele, sipo, and khaya. Find out which one is appropriate for your next project, which are the least expensive, and where to find them.
From Fine Woodworking #207
Mahogany is one of the finest furniture woods. Tremendously stable, it has beautiful grain and figure, and ages to a lovely, warm brown. Its diffuse pores give it a consistent density that makes it easy to work and exceptional for carving. It is the wood of choice for classic styles such as Chippendale and Federal. But makers of more modern furniture would be unwise to ignore mahogany’s qualities.
Before you head out to the lumberyard to buy mahogany, you should be aware of a…
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