Why Handcrafted?

How can you tell if a piece is handcrafted? Some things to look for in furniture, for example, include:

Hand cut dovetails. Drawers are complex to make and often a sign of quality. Well-made drawer fronts are joined to the sides by half-blind dovetails that can’t be seen from the front. Dovetailed drawers — hand or machine made — are much stronger than tacked or glued drawers. Handmade dovetails, carefully carved to interlock, will often show the variation inherent in a hand-made piece (v. the factory look of a machine- cut dovetails). They are aesthetically pleasing and structurally sound.

1. Beveled, solid wood bottoms. Drawer bottoms are made of solid wood, not plywood. They are beveled to fit into a running groove in the drawer sides and front, and are attached at the back by one or two screws in elongated holes. In this way, the wood is allowed to expand and contract seasonally without stressing the drawer-box joinery.


2. Drawers are fitted carefully into their openings so as to create the smallest gap around the perimeter while allowing for expansion and contraction. The amount by which different woods will expand or contract can vary greatly. The growth and shrinkage of wood is calculated mathematically and must be taken into account to create a drawer that glides in and out without mechanical slides.


3. Woodgrain. A good cabinetmaker hand picks each board, looking for its grain, color, character, even its imperfections which might add interest.


4. Book matching. When creating large panels, such as chests or cabinet doors, boards can sometimes be sliced in half and opened like a book to create a mirror image that is then joined together to create the panel. The achieved look is stunning and the sign of a knowledgeable craftsman.


5. Finish. All finishes are applied by hand and in many stages. Materials are used to enhance wood color and grain characteristics as well as to protect against moisture, heat and scratches. After finishing, pieces are hand-rubbed with steel wool and a good quality paste wax is applied for added protection.

I incorporate all of these features and more in his custom cabinet and furniture making. Get in touch today to discuss your handcrafted project.