Sapele vs Mahogany
Sapele (Entandrophragma cylindricum) and Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla) are two woods people often weigh against each other. Sapele is the harder of the two at 1410 lbf on the Janka scale, versus 800 lbf for Mahogany, which affects how each handles wear, tools, and denting.
| Property | Sapele Entandrophragma cylindricum | Mahogany Swietenia macrophylla |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Hardwood | Hardwood |
| Cost | $$$ · Premium | $$$$ · Exotic |
| Hardness | 1410 lbf | 800 lbf |
| Workability | Good | Excellent |
| Seasonal movement | Medium | Small |
| Outdoor-friendly | No | No |
| Origin | Imported (Africa) | Imported (Central/South America) |
| Commonly built | Guitar bodies, Veneered panels, Fine furniture, Doors | Acoustic guitars, Boat trim & decking, Antique-style desks, Carved cabinets, Humidors |
| Overview | A widely available mahogany substitute with a reddish-brown color and, on quartersawn stock, a striking ribbon figure. | The legendary furniture wood, stable, easy to work, and beautiful. Increasingly costly and subject to sourcing/sustainability concerns. |
Finishing
Sapele
Takes stain and clear finishes well and its ribbon-stripe figure (from interlocked grain) glows under a film finish. Fill the moderately open grain for a smooth surface. Sand carefully, interlocked grain can tear and the scratches show under finish. Rich reddish-brown deepens with age.
Mahogany
A premier finishing wood: takes stain and dye evenly, and its open grain is traditionally filled (often with a dark filler for a classic look) before a film finish for a glass-smooth surface. Beautiful under oil, shellac (French polish), and lacquer. Color deepens and reddens with age and light. A joy to finish.
Want to weigh these against a third wood, or compare different species? Use the interactive comparison tool.