Woods identification please

[Bowhnter]

Hi, I got this light colored wood in a grab bag, and I am not sure what it is. I have paired with Ebony for this shave brush handle I am in the middle of, but would like to see if anyone knows?
It is soft and turns easy.

Thanks in advance.

 

[jimm1]

Mahogany???

 

[Bowhnter]

Possibly holly? Or I guess it could be yellowheart

 

[Ted iin Michigan]

Very often cherry will be quite light in tone then darken with age and exposure to light. Kind of fits IMHO.

 

[Bowhnter]

I have some Cherry blanks, I do not think cherry although it's about as soft to work with. Is yellowheart pretty soft?

 

[JohnU]

If it were cherry you could probably smell it and tell. All of the yellow heart I've ever turned was pretty easy to work and yellow. In fact it is almost naturally johndeere yellow. From the picture on my screen it looks light in color like soft maple or birch but for me it's hard to ID soft wood that has straight grain and little character, and I'm not current with your local woods. Good luck!

 

[exoticwo]

I agree with Jim M. that it's Mahogany, looks like some I have been turning lately only lighter. Soft wood, easy to cut, be careful with sanding as lower girts can actually cause more scratches while trying to get rid of tool marks

 

[Bowhnter]

Thanks, guys. And thanks for the sanding heads up.

 

[terry q]

I agree with Mahogany.

 

[GaryMGg]

I've never seen Mahogany that's the color of maple or holly.
Looks more like soft maple or birch to me.
Mahogany has more of an open grain and is usually honey brown.

The brush looks good, whatever the wood. :biggrin:

 

[maxwell_smart007]

Mahogany comes in two variations - Honduras Royal Mahogany - really nice to work with, and African mahogany - looks similar, but open grained and not easily workable.

Could definitely be Mahogany

 

[GaryMGg]

Link to Hobbit House images, wherein a lot of different mahoganies are listed and pictured:

African Mahogany

It's possible although the end grain in the OP doesn't look like it's as open as Mahogany.

Here's the birch:
Birch main page

Birch end grain closeup