A traditional favorite used in furniture and high-end millwork, Mahogany has a rich history spanning hundreds of years. Sadly, its rising price point has made this species less accessible for many woodworkers. As regulation of Mahogany has increased, the supply chain has added additional cost, leaving many once-devout Mahogany fans with more questions than answers.
Here at J. Gibson McIlvain lumber company, we’ve dedicated much research and effort to helping one-time Mahogany customers find an alternative that makes sense for them, and that alternative can be found amid the African hardwoods.
The Top Contender: Sapele
As part of the African Mahogany family, Sapele has risen to the top as the most popular alternative to Genuine, or South American, Mahogany. As a large, stable tree that’s even more dense than Genuine Mahogany, the Sapele tree produces many large boards in a variety of thicknesses. Sapele is harder than Genuine Mahogany, and its interlocking grain pattern combines with that increased hardness to make it difficult to work. Tear out is common, and milling must be very cautiously done.
Quartersawn Sapele produces a striking ribbon stripe that has helped Sapele to establish a market all its own, apart from its original purpose as a Mahogany alternative. That new market is causing an increased demand, along with higher prices, though. While it’s the most expensive of the African Mahoganies, Sapele still costs less than 70% of what Genuine Mahogany does.
The Unknown Underdog: Utile
Utile, we believe, is actually the closest match to Genuine Mahogany, yet it’s still relatively unknown to the public. Also referred to as Sipo, this species is in the same genus as Sapele. Utile lacks the highly interlocked grain of Sapele, making it easier to work without tearout. It is lighter than Sapele and only slightly heavier than Genuine Mahogany, making it a closer match to that highly sought-after species.
Quartersawn Utile does display a more mellow version of the ribbon stripe of Sapele, but its flatsawn appearance is nearly identical to that of Genuine Mahogany. This species does include some darker medullary rays that can help experts distinguish it from Genuine Mahogany; those darker lines also provide greater visual interest that many appreciate.
Like the Sapele tree, the Utile tree is quite large, allowing careful mills to produce 12/4 and thicker boards exceeding widths of 10 to 12 inches. With a lower density than Sapele, Utile has greater stability. Since it’s sold in packs including only Utile (instead of a menagerie of African Mahoganies), it’s essentially more consistent than Sapele. Typically available at a price that’s half that of Genuine Mahogany and without a market of its own threatening to cause prices to rise, Utile is an excellent alternative to Genuine Mahogany which we recommend highly to our customers.
J. Gibson McIlvain Company
Since 1798, when Hugh McIlvain established a lumber business near Philadelphia, the McIlvain family has been immersed in the premium import and domestic lumber industry. With its headquarters located just outside of Baltimore, the J. Gibson McIlvain Company (www.mcilvain.com) is one of the largest U.S. importers of exotic woods.
As an active supporter of sustainable lumber practices, the J. Gibson McIlvain Company has provided fine lumber for notable projects throughout the world, including the White House, Capitol building, Supreme Court, and the Smithsonian museums.
Contact a representative at J. Gibson McIlvain today by calling (800) 638-9100.
Sapele was used widely for decorative cabinetry in Europe, and particularly in Germany, even before the second World War. Once the war began, the wood’s remarkable strength made it ideal for Zeppelin propeller-blades. Since then, its typical uses have included window frames, custom doors, and flooring, as well as veneer for cabinets and book cases.
At J. Gibson McIlvain, we import many tropical lumber species, many of which come from Africa. We are serious about quality, though, so before we form a relationship with a new source, our highly trained experts visit the lumber mill personally. During those initial visits, we check for sustainability efforts, continuous supply, and premium quality. We also complete thorough research to ensure legal and responsible harvesting and check the paper trail to help guarantee an untainted supply chain. By exercising this kind of caution before we form relationships, we are able to promise our customers that the African lumber they purchase from J. Gibson McIlvain is absolutely the best wood that Africa has to offer. In addition to 
Because of Sapele’s consistent appearance, flatsawn Sapele takes moulded edging well; at the same time, quartersawn Sapele boasts increased stability. On the soft side for a hardwood, Sapele is gentle on tools, a characteristic that most woodworkers find quite positive. The fine dust that Sapele produces, though, can sometimes cause skin irritation and respiratory problems if proper precautions are not taken. Harder than Mahogany, Sapele tends to cost approximately half the price of Genuine Mahogany and less than Utile (a lumber that will be discussed below).
Utile