The Truth About Mahogany, Part 1

A short history of the controversial wood, and the state of it today.

I used some very old mahogany scraps leftover from “Campaign Furniture” to make the sliding trays in my new tool chest. (Photo by Christopher Schwarz)

Editor’s note: When it comes to choosing wood for a project, I almost always use hardwoods and softwoods that are domestic. Wood is this continent’s greatest resource, so there is no need to use imported or exotic species for most projects. Except when it comes to the mahoganies. These tropical species are some of the most perfect furniture woods. And if you make reproductions or historical pieces, it is tempting to splurge on some of these expensive hardwoods.

Should you?

From everything I’ve read about mahogany from independent sources, there is a robust illegal trade in it. And in many cases, the wood is harvested by enslaved workers.

But have I just been reading the wrong accounts and articles?

The lumber industry insists it is working hard to do ensure the mahogany in our lumberyards is sustainably and ethically sourced.

One of the adva…