Mahogany

[MarkW]

Hi gents,

I never see many pens made with mahogany. Is there a reason for this? I have a ton of the stuff and am a bit reticent to make pens as I never see them.

Thanks

Mark

 

[dotslad]

Hi Mark I have used Mahogany for pens and found it easy to turn and easy to bring to a nice finish here's an example

 

[MarkW]

Hi Mark I have used Mahogany for pens and found it easy to turn and easy to bring to a nice finish here's an example

That's really nice. lovely desk pen

 

[Neil]

Hi gents,

I never see many pens made with mahogany. Is there a reason for this? I have a ton of the stuff and am a bit reticent to make pens as I never see them.

Thanks

Mark

True Mahogany, the cuban or Honduran stuff (a fawn colour) is really dull for a small piece like a pen, and in my opinion, is not much better for anything larger if you want pattern and character. It was used extensively by pattern makers because of it was easy to cut, finish and was totally stable. The stuff that Ian has is not true Mahogany, but African Mahogany, a member of the Khaya species. There are so many varieties of this that to generalise by saying its good or not for pen making would not be appropriate.

Try it and see, if it looks good then run with it otherwise ditch it and use the mahogany for something else!

 

[dotslad]

Neil I entirely agree with what you say there are so many types of mahogany it is as you say basically suck it and see also it is on the whole quite a boring wood for pen turning.

 

[Grump]

Your not really helping the guy but doing more to confuse him.
Mark there is no reason why you should not use mahogany whatsoever.
It turns fine, holds a great finish and lasts as long as any other wood but if you want a fancy grain then go for other woods.
Any of the many variaties will make a pen and you can shape or engrave / pyro some character into them but you will look hard to find interesting grain pattern in them.
Neil will correct me but I think it is slow growing therefore tight grain.

 

[edlea]

I've used quite a bit of the stuff ..but only because I had it . Moved on to nicer things now.

 

[MarkW]

Thanks guys, I suppose it makes sense that whilst it is an expensive wood for furniture making and the like it does have a rather boring grain pattern it does however when you rotate it have a light, dark shine that comes of it which is quite pleasing to the eye and makes it quite a tactile thing.

I need to take the plunge and buy a decent burr

M

 

[Buckeye]

Mark, have a look in the Buy & Sell and look for a poster called lignaterrae he has some great blanks.

Peter

 

[Jim]

Hi Mark, i had a large piece of Brazilian Mahogany given me in exchange for making a Him & Her pen from it ... Nothing wrong with making pens from it as already said, it turns and polishes well ...

 

[paulm]

I haven't found a piece of wood yet that couldn't (I'm not saying I can) be made to look good, somehow. If the wood is boring it can be enhanced by adding a different colour wood or simply burning a couple of lines in it. I find ash boring if it isn't spalted or got some good grain but adding a line or two makes a big difference. In my opinion...

 

[Woody]

I am in agreement with Paul most mahogany can be bland to get some ideas take a look at Jims pens with segments in them the same can be done with any wood mix and match some of our own home grown woods are very plain bland Sycamore, chestnut, Box, Ivy to mention a few but pens get made with all of them in my opinion any wood is worth a go just that some benefit from being dressed up there are no limits to what you as a turner can create the only limits are your own imagination explore, experiment and enjoy.
Personally I don't like turning mahogany nor Oak but that don't mean I wont ever turn it and that you should never turn it if you fancy giving it a go then go for it its your hobby no one else's

 

[lignaterrae]

Thanks for the endorsement Peter!
This is an interesting discussion. You will see on my blanks list that I have split mahogany (genus Swietenia) into two basic categories, essentially light and dark grade, for this very reason. Neil is spot on, true mahogany is hugely variable timber, from pale, light and fine textured to moderately heavy, coarse textured and dark in colour - in all combinations!
As a general rule, paler is pretty dull and darker rather more interesting. It certainly is a timber that is better appreciated in the large-scale of a piece of furniture rather than the small scale of a pen - but there are always exceptions. In fact, I've just got hold of a lump of mahogany that looks really nice and once I've finished properly assessing it I'll include it on the blanks list if it proves worthy
And while I'm whittering on about my favourite subject, there is the original holy grail, Cuban mahogany, which is now to all extents commercially extinct but that really is something good if you can acquire it from any reclaimed source. Beautiful to work with an the colour improves with age.

Mark, have a look in the Buy & Sell and look for a poster called lignaterrae he has some great blanks.

Peter

 

[Buckeye]

Thanks for the endorsement Peter!

No problem, I am happy with the blanks you sent.

Peter

 

[Terry]

I am in agreement with Paul most mahogany can be bland to get some ideas take a look at Jims pens with segments in them the same can be done with any wood mix and match some of our own home grown woods are very plain bland Sycamore, chestnut, Box, Ivy to mention a few but pens get made with all of them in my opinion any wood is worth a go just that some benefit from being dressed up there are no limits to what you as a turner can create the only limits are your own imagination explore, experiment and enjoy.
Personally I don't like turning mahogany nor Oak but that don't mean I wont ever turn it and that you should never turn it if you fancy giving it a go then go for it its your hobby no one else's

A very interesting reply Woody!!!!!