Sapele rough sawn lumber
Warm reddish-brown alternative with furniture and millwork appeal.
View optionAfrican Mahogany Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
African Mahogany is best understood by how it looks, how it works, and where it should be used. This guide explains the practical buying details before sending you to the right Kingma products.
Scientific nameKhaya spp., (primarily A.
Janka hardness850 lbf
Average dried weight33.9 lb/ft³
Best fitVeneer
Overview
Why choose African Mahogany?
African Mahogany is a imported specialty hardwood associated with Tropical Africa. It is useful when the project calls for veneer, plywood, turned items, furniture, boatbuilding, and interior trim
For SEO and customer usefulness, this page separates the science from the buying decision: appearance, working behaviour, durability, project fit, and then the right Kingma shopping path.
Scientific nameKhaya spp., (primarily A.
DistributionTropical Africa
ShrinkageRadial: 3.4%, Tangential: 5.7%, Volumetric: 9.3%, T/R Ratio: 1.7 More images | Identification
DurabilityRated as moderately durable; moderate to poor insect/borer resistance.
African Mahogany colour, grain, and figure
Expect heartwood ranges from pale pink to a deeper reddish brown, sometimes with streaks of medium to dark reddish brown. Colors darken with age.
In practical selection, the grain and texture are best treated this way: grain is straight to interlocked, with a medium to coarse texture. Good natural luster and a high degree of chatoyancy.
Working notes
In the shop, generally easy to work, though tearout can be a problem if the grain is interlocked. May stain and react with iron-based fasteners in damp conditions.
Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, African mahogany has been reported as a sensitizer .
African Mahogany should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for African Mahogany
Best projects
Veneer, plywood, turned items, furniture, boatbuilding, and interior trim
Use caution
Avoid specifying it by name alone; confirm board size, moisture, colour, figure, and the project environment before buying.
Finish strategy
Test finishes on offcuts first, especially when colour, blotching, outdoor exposure, or grain filling matters.
Buying note
Choose boards, slabs, plywood, blanks, or posts based on the project rather than species name alone.
Shop path
Buying African Mahogany from Kingma
Start with the direct species match when Kingma sells it. If stock rotates, use the closest live collection or a clearly explained alternative.
Cherry lumber collection
Domestic warm-colour alternative when the customer wants easier sourcing and workability.
View optionSimilar woods and alternatives
If Kingma does not have an exact match online, use the buying links below as practical alternatives only when the colour, grain, hardness, or project environment makes sense.
African Mahogany FAQ
What is African Mahogany best used for?
African Mahogany is best considered for veneer, plywood, turned items, furniture, boatbuilding, and interior trim. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is African Mahogany beginner friendly?
It depends on density, grain direction, and tooling. Test cuts on offcuts first, and choose Maple, Cherry, Walnut, or Poplar when easier machining is the priority.
Does Kingma sell African Mahogany?
Use the buying section on this page. If an exact product is not listed, the linked alternatives are included only when they make practical sense for colour, grain, or project use.