African Mahogany is really Sapele.
No. Not true. I know that people wrongly call Sapele often "African Mahogany" but those are two different species. I don't know what exact species Guild is using but usually the name refers to this:
African Mahogany:
Also known as
Khaya. Other names are Ngollon and Acajou. Of the three, this has the widest range of quality. There are 4 sub-species of Khaya, and three of them show up in the United States. They are
Khaya Ivorensis, Khaya Anthetheca, and Khaya Grandifolio. Most companies prefer the Khaya Ivorensis, it is lighter in weight, softer in texture, and not as dense. Some companies specify they want African Mahogany from Ghana, which is considered almost all Khaya Ivorensis. From this region, the lumber tends to be lighter not only in weight, but also in color. It tends to be consistent in color. It also tend to be ‘hairy’, having raised grain. Historically, it is more expensive from this region. Due to Ghana law, lumber must be Kiln-dried (value added) to be exported. Most of the African Mahogany comes from Cameroon and Congo. It also is mostly Khaya Ivorensis, but tends to be darker in color, a little heavier, not as hairy. Consistency in color and quality throughout these regions are less than from Ghana.
Sapele:
Entandrophragma cylindricum. Most comes from Cameroon and Congo. The species is more consistent for color, weight, texture, and hardness throughout the regions than African Mahogany. It can have pin-knots which are difficult to see in rough-sawn limber. It is lighter in color from Ghana which is not the main source.
Hardness:
African Mahogany: Janka Hardness 1,070 lbf (4,760 N)
The softest but still very close to Utile.
Sapele: Janka Hardness 1,410 lbf (6,280 N)
The hardest of the three options. (Utile = Entandrophragma utile = Sipo is the third wood in that range).
www.wood-database.com
Ralf