Cherry contrast

[John Keane]

I an about to construct a cherry cabinet. The drawer fronts will be cherry and the sides will be either oak or birch. I am considering making the drawers with double dovetails. I would appreciate suggestions on a contrasting wood for the double of the double dovetails. TIA.

[Don Bullock]

How about walnut?

[John Keane]

That was my thought. Thanks. Still open to suggestions.

[Mark Stutz]

By double dovetails, I assume you mean the type I've seen done with an Incra/Jointech jig. In regards to the walnut, in general it will lighten and as the cherry darkens , they will look more and more similar. In this application, though, it might work, since they'll only be exposed to the light when the drawer is open.

[Jim Becker]

The thing about using walnut is that it will give you great contrast in the beginning, but over time, the walnut gets lighter and the cherry gets darker...the contrast is largely lost. For the thin band in a double dovetail type joint, I suggest you consider using a dark exotic that is ebony-like...something that will not get lighter over time. You don't need a lot of it, so the cost is less of an issue (although you obviously want to practice the joints a lot first! ).

[Stephen Edwards]

The thing about using walnut is that it will give you great contrast in the beginning, but over time, the walnut gets lighter and the cherry gets darker...the contrast is largely lost.

Jim is absolutely correct about the loss of contrast over time with walnut and cherry. I discovered that the hard way. Several years ago I built a piece using those two woods, hoping for a nice contrast. That was achieved in the beginning. Over a few years time there is very little contrast remaining.

[Dennis Peacock]

You could always use Bloodwood or Wenge for the accent wood on the double-dovetails.....or...if the overall wood is cherry, then Maple would be a long term accent wood.