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Knowledge You Can Build On — Est. 1998

A wood like real mahogany

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A wood like real mahogany

#1

A wood like real mahogany

TomD

I am not looking for a replacement alternative, but trying to identify a plank that came my way. My wife noticed a local house was disposing of some construction waste. There were these few large bits of construction lumber we could use, and this one plank of dark, heavy wood. I assumed it was some kind of south american, high end, deck wood. It might have been for interior work.

After examination, it seemed like really nice stuff. Very similar to mahogany in the look, but a darker brown. It is a lot heavier than mahogany. But it cuts like mahogany would if it were just somewhat heavier. Really nice. I have cut some up for a Soprano Ukulele.

Does this ring a bell with anyone?

I could put up a photo, but it is really dark, probably wouldn't show up that well.

This is what mahogany neck wood looks like, and the stuff I have is a dark brown, no redishness, and heavier:


Re: A wood like real mahogany

#2

Re: A wood like real mahogany

Don Stephan

Just a guess, but you might look at descriptions of brazilian cherry aka jatoba. Nip off a bit of one end to see if the freshly worked color is lighter.

Re: A wood like real mahogany

#3

Re: A wood like real mahogany

Keith Newton

Well that does look like Mahogany to me, but to answer your question of others, would be Spanish Cedar, and Sapele, the later being heavier and the SC being lighter in weight.

Oh, if it's SC, just sand enough to coat a wet fingertip and taste it. One thing I don't like about working it, is that if you lick you lips its bitter.

Re: A wood like real mahogany

#4

Clint Searl

Re: A wood like real mahogany

Clint Searl

Sounds like something I used about thirty years ago that was billed as "African mahogany." It was darker than and grained like and worked like true mahogany but was denser.

Re: A wood like real mahogany

#5

Read this

John K Jordan

Tom,

There are several Mahogany lookalikes and substitutes that your wood might be. There is so much variability in wood that even if you posted a picture of your board it probably wouldn't help.

You can just pick one and call it that and few would ever know. But if it's important to know or try to be accurate you can improve your chances with a bit of work.

First, read this:

https://www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/mahogany-mixups-the-lowdown/

Then, follow step 7 here to look at the end grain:

https://www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/wood-identification-guide/

Note that under "Still Stumped" on that page is a way to get someone to ID it for you.

JKJ

Re: A wood like real mahogany

#6

My Guess: African mahogany


Re: A wood like real mahogany

#7

Re: A wood like real mahogany

Don Stephan

According to the original post, the shown wood is what the poster believes to be South American mahogany, not the "mystery wood."

Re: A wood like real mahogany

#8

Re: A wood like real mahogany

TomD

Thanks guys. A lot of good answers. I may never see another piece, though I would use it if I found it.