Entandrophragma cylindricum
Sapele appears like a fine-grained African Mahogany but with more uniform color. You will find Sapele used in cabinetry, furniture, boats, musical instruments and other high-end architectural millwork applications.
DISTRIBUTION
Sapele is harvested out of the Western and Eastern areas of Africa.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The heartwood is a medium to dark reddish-brown color and the grain is interlocking with fairly fine texture. Sapele is often used in a quartered sawn or ribbon striped look and can even show a very attractive fiddle back figure.
WORKING PROPERTIES
Works easily with both hand and machine tools. It nails, screws and glues well. You need to watch for ring shake and cross break when working with this material.
AVAILABILITY
Available in plain and quartered sawn, but fairly limited in thickness and quantity.
