Which Wood – Mahogany and Sapele

Which Wood Series – Started with Walnut – and lets continue with Mahogany. Including Sapele also, since they are related – but know, they are not the same.mahogany-maple-karly-cutting-board-1

  • Honduran Mahogany – Swietenia macrophylla
    • AKA – Also Known As
      •  Honduras, Geniune, Brazilian, Big-Leaf, and American. Did I miss any?
    • Native to Southern Mexico – Central South America
    • Grain Varies – Straight to Wavy – Stunning Character
    • Color – Pinkish Brown to Reddish Brown Color with Natural Luster
      • See the “luster” in the mahogany pieces above? I call this character “flame”
    • Chosen for furniture, including turned pieces, cabinetry of all kinds (of course), guitars and building boats (who knew)?

We had quite a stash of Mahogany from years gone by – and decided that the contrast for our cutting board designs would be well received, and we were right.  Not a subtle as cherry and not as bold as walnut.

Mahogany - Maple Small Wooden Cutting Board

Mahogany – Maple Small Wooden Cutting Board

  • Sapele – Entandrophragma cylindricum
    • Found in Africa
    • Beautiful Grain Variation – Interlocking to Wavy.
    • Color from Golden to Reddish Brown with Natural Luster.
    • Similar uses as American Mahogany – sometimes offered as a substitute – though I’m not sure why.
Mahogany or Sapele?

Mahogany or Sapele?

Mahogany or Sapele with Maple?

Mahogany or Sapele with Maple?

Mahogany or Sapele with Maple?

Mahogany or Sapele with Maple?

If it’s mahogany, the straighter grain will give it away for me. But if it’s wavy and has flame in it, I can’t tell the difference.

The woodworker, however, will be able to tell the difference.  How you ask?

Sapele is more difficult to work with due to the interlocking grain, your machinery will tell you. And smell it, sapele has an odor – smells like cedar. American Mahogany doesn’t have an odor.

Which Wood – Walnut

The best wood species for your project, depends on the project scope (of course). Today we are discussing walnut for cabinetry, counter tops and accessories.

Bring on the Walnut!

Bring on the Walnut!

  • Walnut
    • Black Walnut – Juglans nigra
      • Native to the Eastern US and Canada – Cool
      • Straight Grain – Nice
      • Sap Wood – FUN
        • Sap wood will add just the right amount of character.  See below for options.
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          Which walnut piece has more sap wood?

  • Cabinetry – Walnut – LOVE IT – even counter tops!!
Entertainment Center Cabinets in Walnut

Entertainment Center Cabinets in Walnut

Bookcase and Cabinets in Walnut

Bookcase and Cabinets in Walnut

Our Window Seat in Walnut

Our Window Seat in Walnut

Cherry-Island-Walnut-Top

Walnut Island Top by Vermont Custom Cabinetry

  •  Gifts – cutting boards – picture frames and more.

walnut-picture-frame-4This wooden frame is something else – even the back is picture worthy…Do you agree?

walnut-picture-frame

Mortise and Tenon Joinery

Keeping it Simple?

Whether you are interested in custom cabinetry, a counter top, a picture frame or a cutting board – we happily recommend walnut wood.

End Grain – Face Grain

Do you know the difference?

cherry-maple-end-grain-face-grain-combo

Cherry – Maple End Grain and Face Grain

Can you tell which is which? If not by looking, you can feel the difference as the face grain is smoother. The chef and serious cook will know as the knives they use are crazy sharp and they chop – a lot.

cherry-maple-end-grain-face-grain-combo

The face grain planks are pieces that are milled from the tree trunk in the direction of length, sometimes called longitudinal.  End grain planks are pieces are cut across the growth rings.  Did that makes sense?

End grain boards are a wonderful option for cutting boards and butcher block tops. The grain created surface is very strong, during chopping, the wood fibers absorb the knife cuts which is pretty darn cool.

cherry-maple-end-grain-combo-9The “2nd step” of face grain pieces being cut to size, turned onto their side – end grain up, glued and clamped, will add to the labor – hence increasing the price. The end grain option offers quite an advantage – durability.  The face grains are pretty and fun – will they show the knife marks sooner, nicks and gouges? Yes they will. Chop away until you can’t stand it and buy another. Do the end grain designs give you more creative and stunning designs? I think so. If that is what you want.

End Grain with in End Grain

End Grain with in End Grain

We pride ourselves on making artisan quality wooden cutting boards, face grain or end grain.

maple-cherry-cutting-boardBoth construction methods are winners – depending on what you need – want – and your budget.

Maple (with sap wood) and Walnut End Grain Cutting Board

Maple (with sap wood) and Walnut End Grain Cutting Board

Advice – if you are gifting to a chef – invest in the end grain cutting board along with a chef’s knife / utility knife (they will be so impressed). We asked our friends at Boot Hill Blades for a recommendation –

BootHill-Blades-6-inch-chefs-knife

6″ Chef’s Knife by BootHill Blades

“This piece is made from an old sawmill blade, found right here in Tennessee. We cut out the shape, refine it on the belt sander, grind the blade road, heat treat the steel for maximum hardness and edge retention, then hand sand/polish each blade. This particular blade has also been dunked in an acid bath or ferric chloride to help it resist rust. The darker patina that is formed with eventually be replace by the custom patina of the user. Depending on where the chef or cook cuts the most, where they hold it, and what types of food they use it on, will determine the beautiful patina that is achieved. The high carbon steel blades take a bit more care, but they will last a lifetime if taken care of” – Jared at Boot Hill Blades.

Face grain glued up to end grain? Not for chopping on, but perhaps a table top….stay tuned as I have a chess board idea in mind.