Below are photos of the three samples I placed beside a freshly planed piece of beech which will will be the main lumber for my bench. I am looking for a contrasting color for the dovetail end caps, leg vise, maybe the dogs, deadman, etc.
Thanks for sharing your opinions, it may influence which direction I will lean… listed in no particular order.
Option 1 - Freshly milled piece of Padauk - the color will darken and end up a rich burnt orange / brown
Option 2 - Purpleheart - color will be brighter purple to start with, then fade to a browner hue.
Option 3 - Cherry - color will darken with age, more like the cherry handle color on the plane.
I will be buying the material, and only need about 20-30 board feet, so not too worried about the price, so don't factor that into your decision, or if you have other options you like, I would like to hear them too!
In the order of preference:
1) padauk
2) cherry
3) ...
10) purpleheart
I just don't like purpleheart. It is unusual and striking, but it's color does not go well with most woods.
I vote for the cherry, but that's because I prefer more subtle contrasts. The paduak is beautiful wood. Like others, I'd stay away from the purple heart.
Paduak, cherry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . purpleheart. I'm just not a fan of purpleheart. I have always used cherry in the past for contrast, but only because I didn't consider paduak. Paduak starts with the color I always hope the cherry will achieve with age-so why wait?
I prefer cherry but for leg vise hardness may matter a little more. Although I tend to use padauk and purpleheart for something like this i'd actually go with an air dried walnut for a richer color or something less exotic but hard like osage.
Padauk or Cherry. I'd like the cherry more if it was already darkened like the handle is but the padauk is pretty extreme. Just do what you think looks best!
Keep in mind that Padauk is quite toxic when cutting. Use a good respirator and clean the area of the sawdust afterwards. It does have a nice smell when cutting.
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