thank you all - I eventully went for utile - that's what the timber yard had
and it resembled it pretty well - maybe even the same. It's only a 10-15
year old house so I was pleased that it was not some cheap stained pine the
builder had used.

"larry" wrote in message
...
I need to get some hardwood for extra hand railings and need it to be the
same as
the existing if possible. I have a placed picture on my website.
http://wood.ergonometrix.co.uk/woodstair.jpg

Currently it is stained and varnished but I would like to sand it down and
apply oil or beeswax.

- depending on it's angle to the light the wood reflects the light in
different ways. - Is it real mahogany or ?

Looking forward to your answers.

Cheers
Larry