What does true mahogany mean?
What does true-mahogany mean? Any of the trees originally called mahogany . (noun)
Is Philippine mahogany a true mahogany?
Phillipine mahogany is not real mahogany. It’s Shorea, a southeast Asian Dipterocarp genus. Mahogany comes from several species of Swietenia, native to the Americas. As far as hardness, it’s probably comparable to mahogany, but talk about machining poorly. Shorea is the worst.
Is mahogany an expensive wood?
Mahogany is one of the most expensive woods in the world. Apart from construction pieces, mahogany wood dining plates can be bought for anywhere from $25 to $55 per plate; furniture pieces like a mahogany conference table could potentially cost up to $1,200.
Is the "genuine mahogany" Honduran?
Honduran Mahogany is also referred to as Genuine Mahogany . It is of the Swietenia genus unlike some species that are called mahogany, such as less expensive African Mahogany (Khaya spp.) Due to its addition on the CITES appendix II listing in 2003, many regions have encouraged plantation growing, which is helping keep the supply available.
How can you tell genuine mahogany?
Check the corners of wood to spot a veneer. Genuine mahogany end grain will have marginal parenchyma, or rows of light brown cells at the border of every growth ring you can see in the end grain. The presence of these is a strong suggestion of Swietenia species, which is the species of tree mahogany comes from.
What is real mahogany?
Mahogany is a straight-grained, reddish-brown timber of three tropical hardwood species of the genus Swietenia, indigenous to the Americas and part of the pantropical chinaberry family, Meliaceae. Mahogany is used commercially for a wide variety of goods, due to its coloring and durable nature.
How much is genuine mahogany worth?
Mahogany is sometimes sold by the board foot, and prices can average $6 to $28 or more per piece. This is about 10 times more than comparable furniture-grade woods.
Is genuine mahogany a hardwood?
Honduran Mahogany | The Wood Database - Lumber Identification (Hardwood)
Is mahogany wood expensive?
Mahogany is so expensive because it has a high demand and is becoming increasingly hard to acquire. The high demand of Mahogany is due to its pleasing appearance, dark fine grain, and long lasting durability. Mahogany has also become more scarce leading to a lack of supply and higher prices.
Is mahogany 90 days real?
Viewers were misled because Mahogany wasn't in any of the teasers and trailers—TLC decided to only show her photos with filters, making her look like a catfish and many believed she wasn't real. Although it took almost half a season of Before the 90 Days for fans to meet Mahogany, she did exist.
Is mahogany furniture worth money?
Why Mahogany Furniture Keeps Its Value. Mahogany is considered one of the most luxurious and beautiful woods in the world, and because of that, it tends to cost more money than other woods like oak or pine. Is it worth the higher price, though? Our answer is yes, and we're going to give you a list of reasons why.
Is Philippine mahogany real mahogany?
For many years the Meranti wood species has been known as “Philippine Mahogany.” Philippine Mahogany is a term that generally applies to a number of wood species native to southeast Asia. Confusingly, Philippine Mahogany is not actually a type of Mahogany at all.
Why is mahogany illegal?
Following the path of ivory, in 2003, mahogany was listed on the Convention on Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) as a species in need of strict regulation to prevent its extinction. Because Peruvian mahogany is traded in violation of CITES, it is illegal to trade or possess it under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.
What are the disadvantages of mahogany wood?
Cons:As it is very hard as compared to others, it is difficult to cut, give different shapes, and also have a tiring installation process. ... As mahogany hardwood floors absorb sunlight, the color of the wood becomes darker over time.More items...
Is mahogany a softwood or hardwood?
hardwoodsTemperate hardwoods include Oak, Beech, Ash, Birch, Maples and Chestnut while famous tropical hardwoods are Mahogany, Teak, Cumaru, Ekki and Ipe.
How many types of mahogany are there?
Major Species of Mahogany Mahogany trees of the swietenia genus and khaya genus are now grown all around the world, which has led to many different varieties of mahogany wood. There are six main types of mahogany wood.
Is mahogany a second to none?
Its workability is second-to-none, and after finishing, the color and depth are simply breathtaking. Those aspects of the species have not changed. However, in recent year the grade and availability of the Mahogany that grows in South America have definitely gone downhill. The saddest part about the recent shift in the Mahogany market is ...
Is genuine mahogany good?
Why Genuine Mahogany Isn’t What It Used To Be . Last updated on May 12, 2021 By J Gibson McIlvain. Genuine Mahogany has long been a favorite of furniture makers and woodworkers in general — and for good reasons, too. Its workability is second-to-none, and after finishing, the color and depth are simply breathtaking.
What is a mahogany tree?
Swietenia macrophylla, commonly known as mahogany, Honduran mahogany, Honduras mahogany, big-leaf mahogany, or West Indian mahogany, is a species of plant in the Meliaceae family. It is one of three species that yields genuine mahogany timber, the others being Swietenia mahagoni and Swietenia humilis. Wikipedia.
What is genuine mahog?
Genuine Mahog is the premium mahog option. Accordingly, when people pay for Genuine, they want you to know it. Thus, the board, millwork, furniture or product will be specifically identified as Genuine Mahog. Alternatively, when a lessor mahog is used, it’s typically referred to generically as “Mahogany .”.
What color is Honduran mahogany?
Woodworkers love to use this wood. Typically, Honduran Mahogany color ranges from a light to dark reddish-brown color tone. Unlike African, Honduras Mahogany lumber has a consistent texture and low silca content.
Is maple more dense than Honduras?
According to the Cedar Strip Kayak Workshop, maple is approximately 12% more dense than Honduras MAH. However, it combines both hard maple and soft maple into a single merged category. Thus, wood density variation is greater when comparing MAH to hard maple than soft maple. Cost.
Where is the best place to buy guitar bodywood?
Here is our answer based on years of lumber buying experience. For electric guitar bodywood applications, the best geographic region is in Mexico. This is because the rich Mexican soil promotes fast growth and low density wood in a low mineral environment.
Is mahogany a blood diamond?
Additionally, harvesting was inexorably tied to the slave trade. Thus, the wood was controversial. It was the blood diamond of the late 19th century. In The Lazy Tour of Two Apprentices, Charles Dickens uses mahogany as an allusion to slavery:
Is African mahog grain fuzzing?
African Mahog is prone to fuzzing and grain tear-out. The elevated silica content in Khaya interferes with cutting blades. Thus, with certain millwork -intensive projects, substituting Khaya for Genuine is a poor idea. Regardless of the visual similarities between the two species.
What is mahogany wood called?
This wood is also called Lauan or Meranti .
Where is mahogany grown?
Honduran or big-leaf mahogany ( Swietenia macrophylla ), with a range from Mexico to southern Amazonia in Brazil, the most widespread species of mahogany and the only genuine mahogany species commercially grown today. Illegal logging of S. macrophylla, and its highly destructive environmental effects, led to the species' placement in 2003 on ...
How many tons of mahogany were imported in 1740?
Importations of mahogany into England (and excluding those to Scotland, which were recorded separately) reached 525 tons per annum by 1740, 3,688 tons by 1750, and more than 30,000 tons in 1788, the peak year of the 18th century trade.
Where do macrophylla grow?
mahagoni grows on the West Indian islands as far north as the Bahamas, the Florida Keys and parts of Florida; S. humilis grows in the dry regions of the Pacific coast of Central America from south-western Mexico to Costa Rica; S. macrophylla grows in Central America from Yucatan southwards and into South America, extending as far as Peru, Bolivia and extreme western Brazil. In the 20th century various botanists attempted to further define S. macrophylla in South America as a new species, such as S. candollei Pittier and S. tessmannii Harms., but many authorities consider these spurious. According to Record and Hess, all of the mahogany of continental North and South America can be considered as one botanical species, Swietenia macrophylla King.
What is the name of the tree that is not known?
The indigenous Arawak name for the tree is not known. In 1671 the word mahogany appeared in print for the first time, in John Ogilby 's America. Among botanists and naturalists, however, the tree was considered a type of cedar, and in 1759 was classified by Carl Linnaeus (1707–1778) as Cedrela mahagoni.
Why is mahogany not planted in the Philippines?
In the Philippines, environmentalists are calling for an end to the planting of mahogany because of its negative impact on the environment and wildlife, including possibly causing soil acidification and no net benefit to wildlife.
Where did mahogany trees come from?
The origin of the name is uncertain, but it could be a corruption of 'm'oganwo', the name used by the Yoruba and Ibo people of West Africa to describe trees of the genus Khaya, which is closely related to Swietenia. When transported to Jamaica as slaves, they gave the same name to the similar trees they saw there. Though this interpretation has been disputed, no one has suggested a more plausible origin. The indigenous Arawak name for the tree is not known. In 1671 the word mahogany appeared in print for the first time, in John Ogilby 's America. Among botanists and naturalists, however, the tree was considered a type of cedar, and in 1759 was classified by Carl Linnaeus (1707–1778) as Cedrela mahagoni. The following year it was assigned to a new genus by Nicholas Joseph Jacquin (1727–1817), and named Swietenia mahagoni .
What is genuine mahogany?
Also known as Honduran Mahogany, Genuine Mahogany is scientifically the Swietenia macrophylla, one of two species that are part of the Swietenia genus. A second genus, the Khaya, is also part of the Meliaceae (or mahogany) family of trees. There are three species of Khaya that all find their home on the continent of Africa.
What is African mahogany used for?
African Mahogany is used for furniture, as well, and boasts similar responsiveness to cutting and finishing techniques. Both woods have tonal qualities, making them ideal for use in musical instruments, such as guitars.
What is the difference between Honduran and African mahogany?
Honduran Mahogany has a coloring that’s closer to orange than its African counterpart; African Mahogany is lighter in color, projecting a more pinkish hue. While Honduran Mahogany is known for its fine, straight grain, African Mahogany enjoys more variety in graining: Bee’s Wing, Ribboned, and Ropey patterns distinguish this wood from any of its counterparts. An additional characteristic that sets African Mahogany apart is its chatoyant luster, which makes the wood appear to have different coloring, as it is moved.
What wood is used for carving?
Long favored by furniture craftsman, the dense Honduran Mahogany performs famously in response to both carving and machining. Add to that stability during drying and responsiveness to finishing, and this wood’s popularity is easily understood.
What are the differences between Khaya mahoganies?
Besides their origins, Swietenia and Khaya mahoganies have many distinctions between them: The major differences are in the areas of appearance, durability, workability, and affordability. 1. Appearance.
Which is better, African mahogany or Honduran mahogany?
At the end of the day, Honduran Mahogany is almost certainly superior for many uses, while African Mahogany is a more affordable alternative that works well for various applications. J. Gibson McIlvain keeps a wide assortment of both woods in stock.
Is mahogany wood resistant to termites?
Both Honduran and African Mahoganies are resistant to termites; however, African Mahogany does not have the same resistance to beetles that its Honduran cousin does. Both woods also offer rot resistance that comes with their high density; however, Honduran Mahogany is denser than the African variety.
What is mahogany wood?
Mahogany wood is known for its pinkish or reddish-brown hue. Mahogany is a pinkish or reddish-brown type of wood commonly used in furniture. Mahogany is typically very smooth in texture, with few knots or voids, making it a desirable type of wood aesthetically, and easy to work with when building furniture or musical instruments.
Where is mahogany native to?
Swietenia mahagoni is the rarest sub-type and is native to Florida, parts of Central America and the Carribbean. The latter two can both be found in South America. Advertisement.
How to tell if a wood is mahogany or softwood?
Step 1. Press your fingernail into the wood to determine whether or not it's a soft or hardwood. If your fingernail leaves a mark, it is softwood. If not, it's a hardwood, which means it might be mahogany.
Is mahogany a pink color?
Observe the color. Though mahogany is mostly known for being a darker redd ish-brown when varnished or stained, mahogany that hasn't aged much can be more pink in color. Advertisement. references. Antique HQ: How To Identify Wood Used To Make Antique Furniture. Arkive: Big Leaf Mahogany.
What are the characteristics of mahogany?
“Rosewood.” “Teak.” “Satinwood.” Each well-known wood has along with it a set of expectations. Mahogany is no different. From the top-notch mahogany of yesterday, one would expect to encounter the following characteristics of the wood: 1 Excellent workability. Mahogany is known for its cooperative nature and easy sanding and machining, with a Goldilocks-esque balance of density thats just hard enough but not too hard. When the grain is straight and consistent, there’s not much that can go wrong. 2 Excellent stability. As much as it’s known for its workability, mahogany is equally known for its superb dimensional stability. Flat pieces will remain flat. Joints and glue-ups will remain intact. In the midst of seasonal changes in humidity, mahogany exhibits minimal shrinkage and swelling. 3 Decent rot resistance. Perhaps not to the same level as Teak or other exotic tropical timbers, but certainly respectable. Though younger plantation-grown trees aren’t quite as durable as the older wild-grown trees of centuries past. 4 Beautiful grain. Mahogany can sometimes be rather plain and almost utilitarian, but on other pieces, it ascends to the heights of sophistication. What antique bombe chest would be complete without exquisite crotch mahogany veneer drawer fronts? 5 Large, clear lumber. Mahogany trees get huge. They’re both tall and stout, yielding long, wide, knot and defect-free boards.
What are some misspellings of mahogany?
Common misspellings (listed in order of prevalence), are as follows: mahagony, mohagony, mahogony, mohagany, and mahagany. Honorable mentions to the mahogany-relative sapele (which, to be honest, doesn’t really have a single “correct” way to spell it anyway), is also typed as: sepele, sapale, sapelle, sappele.
What is Sapele wood?
Sapele (Entandrophragma cylindricum) Sapele (Entandrophragma cylindricum) Similar to mahogany: Very large trees yield clear quality lumber that resembles genuine mahogany in both appearance and mechanical properties. Different from mahogany: Sapele is a star in its own right, and has its own unique characteristics.
Is African mahogany real?
Depending on who you talk to, African Mahogany in the Khaya genus may or not be considered the real deal. For most, it’s close enough in appearance and characteristics to carry the mahogany label without controversy, but purists will be quick to draw a distinction between the mahoganies of the New World and those from Africa.
What is the name of the wood that is grown on plantations?
It’s sold under a variety of common names, including American Mahogany, Genuine Mahogany, Big-Leaf Mahogany, and Brazilian Mahogany.
Is mahogany a genus?
Along the outermost fringes of what most consider to be called mahogany, there are a handful of other genera and species that are technically related to mahogany: much like the African Mahogany species in the Khaya genus, this somewhat eclectic group of hardwoods are all members of the Meliaceae family.
Does African mahogany have parenchyma?
While other lookalikes such as African Mahogany (Khaya spp.) will generally not have these marginal parenchyma bands (though the color of the wood itself may change from light to dark simulating growth rings as well, the tight parenchyma rows will usually be lacking).
