There are many different types of mahogany. The three primary types that are available commercially in the U.S. are African (Khaya spp.), Philippine or “Lauan” (Shorea spp.), and Honduras (Swietenia spp.). Honduras mahogany is the most commercially available mahogany today.
The mahoganies in general are very easy to work and produce very good results in all machining operations. The Philippine “Lauan” variety tends to be coarser textured and lighter in color than the Honduras or African varieties. All Mahoganies are likely to produce fuzzy or torn grain surfaces in planing operations. The strength properties of mahogany are generally similar to those of paper birch and black cherry.
The wood finishes well and can be glued satisfactorily. Some of the uses for mahogany include home and office furniture, architectural woodwork and paneling, foundry patterns, boats and ships, sculpture, turning and carving, and many other uses.
