Sapele vs African Mahogany: Making the Right Choice

Both Sapele and African Mahogany are excellent choices for furniture, joinery, and boat building. Here is how they compare.

Appearance

African Mahogany (Khaya spp.)

• Color: Pale pink to deep reddish-brown
• Grain: Generally straight, sometimes interlocked
• Figure: Subtle ribbon stripe on quartersawn surfaces

Sapele (Entandrophragma cylindricum)

• Color: Medium to dark reddish-brown
• Grain: Interlocked, producing distinctive ribbon figure
• Figure: More pronounced stripe pattern

Physical Properties

| Property | Mahogany | Sapele | |----------|----------|--------| | Density | 530 kg/m³ | 640 kg/m³ | | Janka Hardness | 1,070 lbf | 1,410 lbf | | Durability Class | 3 | 3 |

Workability

Mahogany is easier to work due to lower density and typically straighter grain. Excellent for carving.

Sapele requires more care due to interlocked grain but machines well with sharp tools. Better for applications requiring hardness.

Price Comparison

Sapele is generally 15-25% less expensive than African Mahogany, making it an excellent value alternative.

Recommended Uses

Choose Mahogany for:

• Fine furniture
• Carving projects
• Traditional boat building

Choose Sapele for:

• Flooring
• High-wear surfaces
• Musical instruments
• Cost-effective Mahogany alternative