Identifying True Craftsmanship in Furniture

With so much mass produced furniture on the market it can be difficult to find true high quality pieces. But they are still out there. In fact there has been a bit of a renaissance in woodworking of late as many people desire quality wood furniture. Here are some details to look for to help one determine the quality and value of wood furniture.

The most important aspect of fine wood furniture is the wood itself. Many of today's pieces use cheap press board with poor quality veneers. Look for solid wood pieces. Also regard the quality of wood. Drawer fronts, sides and cabinet and door panels should have matching grain patterns. Often one will see contrasting woods used as accent. Table tops should be of consistent grain as well, and truly fine slabs will look like a single board.

In addition to the more common woods like cherry, maple, mahogany and oak, one may also see more exotic woods used like cocobolo, amboyna burl, bubinga, and rosewood. The better availability of woods from around the globe has afforded makers a much wider design spectrum and more choices to make pieces truly unique.

Joint construction is another sign of a fine maker. Most furniture these days is slapped together in moments with mechanical joints and fasteners. In fact this type of fastening is often weaker than the traditional joinery that has been used for centuries. Looking closing at joints reveals a lot about the quality of a piece of furniture.

Many people know dovetail joints are a mark of good quality. Look for these interlocking joints not only in drawer construction, but on case construction as well. In case work, dovetails can be found at the top of the carcass and can be hidden somewhat by molding. Generally a close look will reveal the technique used.

The most common joinery technique for attaching a leg to a rail is called a mortise and tenon. This joint is exceedingly strong as wood grains of the two pieces overlap and have ample glue area. When mechanical brackets are screwed into rails to hold them to the legs, the joint is more susceptible to failure when the table is put under pressure. The mortise and tenon moves and flexes as one piece, where the rigidity of the other method is what eventually leads to failure.

Hand finishing is another hallmark of fine wood furniture. A piece should have a consistent look and the wood itself should have depth as result of the finish. The finish should also reveal the grain patterns of the wood species chosen. This is especially important if burls, birds’ eye and tiger figured wood is used. These types of figures are chosen for the beauty they add to a piece so the finish must be applied to bring out these qualities, not cover them.

Lastly, one should regard the overall design of the piece. Most often simplicity and symmetry are the hallmarks of the piece. More modern design may feature use of contrasting wood species or incorporate live edging or prominent splits or actual damage in the wood.

Having finely made wood furniture in one's home is a true joy. It is also a wonderful legacy for future generations of family. Quality pieces will last long after today's mass produced pieces have long gone. Acquiring a quality piece of wood furniture is always a good investment.