Ipe' was really cheap when it first showed up but prices are going up...not like teak at 25 bucks a board foot but climbing. Ipe's would run the risk of having really tiny splinters as my hands will attest after doing the rubrails, it's really kind of a coarse wood in that respect though it's tough and durable. It does split easier than I'd like and that has to be taken into account when planning. It would take a lot sanding it seems to me but is doable in the long run.

If you want rails to paint or varnish, Honduras Mahogany (ain't as cheap as it was either" is good or if you want to let them go gray, I might consider Purpleheart which is easy enough to work, not splintery, and durable when left to go gray. I'm recalling that Iroko is a cheaper stand in for teak as well and I've used it on a couple small projects but not much.

I confess I'm losing all handrail credibility as I've gone SS on Jaunty. Worse than that, because I'm older and losing my grip I bought 1 1/4" bath safety rails. Time will tell on those I have great hope.

In the photo I wish I'da set my Nicro vent farther outboard so the handrails wouldn't have to be pinched in quite so close to the slider hatch. I do, however, like rails inboard and not right on the edge of a cabin. I prefer, especially with my knees/hips now, to be leaning in toward the centerline rather than leaning over forward to hang onto a rail should I do something foolish and need to go forward. I hope to stay the hell off the foredeck with Jaunty.