Thankfully for lovers of mahogany, there are many alternatives on the market. One popular, affordable choice is African mahogany in the Khaya genus. The heartwood is a light pink-brown that darkens when cut to a reddish brown. It has a medium to coarse texture and a straight to interlocked grain, which can yield a striped or roe figure. The wood finishes well and has a lustrous quality.
- Easy to work, glue, and finish
- The grain can be straight, irregular, or interlocked
- Machines well, excellent for turning
- Moderate blunting effect to cutting tools
- Premier carving wood
