Sapele Pen Blank

Sapele's heartwood ranges from a deep gold to a darker reddish brown, the color tending to darken over time. Quartersawn sections often showcase a striking ribbon pattern. The grain is interlocked, and often wavy, with a fine texture and nice luster. Though its interlocked grain can make Sapele problematic to plane or rout, it actually turns very nicely, and emits a scent similar to cedar while being worked. Sometimes referred to as ''African Mahogany,'' it is not technically a mahogany, but is distantly related.