Replies

1. 
   Jimma | Jul 03, 2005 10:42pm | #1

   If you send an email to "Woodshop News" they may be able to help you. I believe it was in their publication a couple of years ago where I saw an article about them. I apologize if I'm remembering it wrong, but I do know it was in a magazine somewhere. Maybe FWW can help.

2. 
   mikegagne | Jul 04, 2005 02:00am | #2

   I believe it is classified as "swietenia macrophylla" Its the same as most other African sourced mahoganies but grown in different soil. That botanical name may help you find it-its truly very beautiful material. Aloha, mike

   
   

   ---

   Edited 7/3/2005 7:01 pm ET by mike

1. 
   Miami | Jul 05, 2005 03:51am | #14

   I think that is the correct name for the African, but the Cuban is a different species - it's Swietenia Mahoganii (sp?) - that's where the word 'mahogany' came from!  In Miami it's a fairly common street tree, my neighbor has a few.

   Clay

1. 
   mikegagne | Jul 05, 2005 04:50am | #15

   I think that is the correct name for the African, but the Cuban is a different species - it's Swietenia MahoganiiI think you are correct about the mahoagnii part. Mahoganii mahoganii is the African and they are the same tree just a different location and soil condition. Aloha, mike

1. 
   Miami | Jul 05, 2005 05:46am | #16

   Hmmm ...  Swietenia Mahoganii may indeed grow in Africa, and there are other plants common to both Eastern S. America/West Indies and Western Africa, but I've never seen or heard of such. 

   "African mahogany" seems to mostly be not one of the Swietenias at all, but some other genus -  Khaya Ivorensis or Khaya Anthotheca or Khaya Grandifoliola.  Entandrophragma Cylindricum and others from the Meliaceae family also get sold as "african mahogany."  I think 'mahogany' is now like 'rosewood' and 'ironwood' - it has come to mean not much more than 'wood with X characteristics.'  "Peruvian mahogany" is at least in the Swietenia family, I'm pretty sure, but it still isn't 'da kine.'

   But, I'm often wrong 3X before breakfast, so I'd be happy to learn - do you have any source for the Cuban and African being the same species?  A Google search found zero hits for 'mahoganii mahoganii,' and I've never heard that name anywhere at all.  Certainly what the specialty stores I've seen sell as 'African Mahogany' is not the same wood as Cuban Mahogany which I've been able to follow from tree-in-ground to lumber, but I guess it's just possible that the (pretty significant) differences were all due to the soil and growing conditions.

   Of course, it's also possible you got sold some 'Real Cuban' mistakenly denominated as African, but if so, and considering the price difference, I hope you bought every foot they had!

   Clay

1. 
   mikegagne | Jul 06, 2005 08:41am | #17

   You are indeed correct. I was referring to original classifications by early British horticulturists which were corrected later. Currently, UoWisconsin will definitively determine specie by burning a known quality and weigh the ash to determine specific gravity. As fas as I know its the only truly accurate method. The woods in the mahogany group can mimic charateristics of each other. On Maui we have Toona also known as "cigarbox wood" for its scent, a type of mahogany that has its heart at the side of the tree making the log very useable. Not as nice Cuban, macrophylla or most any others. Aloha, mike

3. 
   Hempstalk | Jul 04, 2005 02:27am | #3

   http://bluemoonexoticwood.com/index1.html

   Here ya go. Here's a place out of NY

1. 
   exhibitor | Jul 04, 2005 03:52am | #4

   Cool place, but really pricey.  Stuff is top notch though...Jimmy.

4. 
   mapleman | Jul 04, 2005 07:29am | #5

   Papa,

   I remember the article from FWW. The name of the guy's outfit was called zombie hardwoods, I think.

   Birdseyemaniac (my real name is Lee, in case anyone is offended)

5. 
   brianmexico | Jul 04, 2005 05:48pm | #6

   Terry,

   My wife is in Cuba right now on business and I've asked her to look into maybe buying some wood there. So far she's found out that it can be done but they have a lot of really strict export rules and she's going to dig into it further to find out what we need to do. Because I live in Mexico it's relatively easy to have delivered, when I find out more I'll let you know.

   Brian

1. 
   papaterry | Jul 05, 2005 02:49am | #12

   Thanks for the info.

   Terry

6. 
   JeffHeath | Jul 04, 2005 06:19pm | #7

   Terry

   I built my daughters jewelry box out of cuban mahogany.  It is the nicest mahogany I've ever seen or used.  Just beautiful.  It's a bit on the soft side for hardwoods, though, so take extra care with your joinery on those chair legs.

   Jeff

1. 
   Jimma | Jul 04, 2005 06:51pm | #8

   Just as a matter of interest, I live in Central Florida where Cuban mahogany isn't commonly grown. In fact, it's rather rare. However, in last year's hurricane season a local sawyer got one that had blown down and I got one board from him -- about eight inches wide by 4/4 by eight feet, rough. It's still drying, but the color looks interesting and I'm going to have to make something relatively small out of it, maybe a jewelry box like you did. What finish did you put on it?

1. 
   JeffHeath | Jul 04, 2005 09:13pm | #9

   Jim

   The only finish I ever use for mahogany is potassium dichromate, followed by 3-4 coats of crystallac, which is a sprayed on waterbased finish.  If you go that route, be careful, the stuff is quite toxic. 

   Jeff

1. 
   Jimma | Jul 05, 2005 01:09am | #11

   Guess I'll just skip the potassium dichromate. This stuff is red enough as is, and I remember PD from my chemistry classes. Lacquer will work, though.

2. 
   papaterry | Jul 05, 2005 02:52am | #13

   No need for potassium dicromate unless you really want to darken it.  I like garnet shellac and then french polish.  Worth the effort.

7. 
   WillGeorge | Jul 04, 2005 09:33pm | #10

   Cuban mahogany is sort of like a Cuban Cigar~

   The Best if you and get it!