Mahogany, or.....?

[Ron Swanson Jr.]

Went to start a project this AM and pulled what I thought was (African) Mahogany off the rack. 

After a few passes over the jointer, I'm not so sure. 

Anyone care to take a shot at ID?

I know it's difficult to do from pictures. 

The bottom board (M) came from Rockler, sold as Af. Mahogany. So I'm pretty sure that's what it is. 

The top piece (?) is my mystery wood. If memory serves, i got this at an estate sale and the decedent had it labeled as Mahogany. The color is close, but not the same and the pores are much larger. 

 

 

[BillyJack]

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.woodworkerssource.com%2Fblog%2Fwood-conversations%2Fmahogany%2F&psig=AOvVaw3qP453lGkA9OlxShp6qNDa&ust=1729440566281000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBcQjhxqFwoTCJDjgKvqmokDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAE

[Von]

How do the end grains compare?

[phinds]

compare the end grains

ttp://www.hobbithouseinc.com/personal/woodpics/_anatomy/diffuse porous/mahogany/_mahogany.htm

 

[Ron Swanson Jr.]

Thanks all. I think i jumped the gun in posting this. After some hand planing, the differences between the two became less and less where I'm now pretty sure it's the same species, just slightly different coloring. The end grain is very similar. The only real difference is the smell. The pic marked M has a sweet smell when cut, almost like cedar. The other, ?, has an unpleasant musty odor. 

[Mark J]

All I can add to the above is that the Khaya I've had has been golden colored.  The one piece of Honduran mahogany I have is a dark red.  Also consider that Sapele is often called "mahogany".  

[phinds]

On 10/20/2024 at 9:19 AM, Mark J said:

All I can add to the above is that the Khaya I've had has been golden colored.  The one piece of Honduran mahogany I have is a dark red.  Also consider that Sapele is often called "mahogany".  

Mark, as you will see if you look at the link I posted, color is not a reliable distinguisher among the mahoganies. End grain is WAY moire informative.

[Mark J]

Interesting article.  I also followed the link to "Mahogany names".  I did not realize that Cuban and Honduran were different species.  Question, you refer to Khaya and Honduran to be in the mahogany "family".  Are you using the taxonomy term "family"?  

[phinds]

On 10/21/2024 at 9:39 AM, Mark J said:

Interesting article.  I also followed the link to "Mahogany names".  I did not realize that Cuban and Honduran were different species.  Question, you refer to Khaya and Honduran to be in the mahogany "family".  Are you using the taxonomy term "family"?  

No, sorry. I am using the generic English language term. The botanical family name all of the mahoganies, plus sipo and sapele, is Meliaceae.

[Mark J]

So they are all in the same taxonomic Family.  I thought otherwise. 

[phinds]

On 10/21/2024 at 1:39 PM, Mark J said:

So they are all in the same taxonomic Family.  I thought otherwise. 

Yes, but they are NOT all in the same genus, which is the closer relationship

All such info is available here: WOOD NAME DATABASE