Kists
The Savanna Wood Kist, or blanket box is a beautifully constructed cabinet of great versatility. The whole box is joined along the entire length of each vertical side with wonderfully cut dovetail joints, an art lost to modern cabinet making. The base is carefully shaped to slide in grooves concealed in the box frame to allow for the natural movement of solid wood. Similarly the top is designed with batons having slots for the screws that secure the top so that it may expand and contract without warping. The handles are wonderfully wrought of iron with plates both in and out to guarantee that the handle will not rip out with exceptional loads.
Here is what Fine Woodworking Magazine, America’s foremost magazine for professional woodworkers has to say about dovetail joints:
‘Considered one of the strongest and certainly the most beautiful of joints, the dovetail exacts a stiff price in terms of skill for the strength and good looks it provides.
Dovetails are probably the strongest method for joining two pieces of wood, surface to surface, with the grain running in the same direction. The dovetail joint provides considerable mechanical strength because when the joint is assembled, it can’t be twisted or racked. And the shape of the dovetail makes it impossible to take apart in one direction and difficult in the other. This joint stays together -- even without glue!’
These kists are constructed out of Zambezi Teak which is exceptionally hard and durable. In 1952 a worldwide enquiry was instituted that explored every possible timber to find the most suitable material for making the floors of the London Corn Exchange. It had to be of particular hardness and durability because of the heavy use to which it would be put and the damaging effect of the corn kernels ground underfoot. After much deliberation and a series of stringent tests, a decision was reached to make the floors out of Zambezi Teak. Zambezi Teak was proven to be the hardest and most durable wood in the world for this purpose. It has been extensively used for railway sleepers (ties), but very seldom for fine furniture because of the great difficulties in working it. We at Savanna Wood have developed methods of work to handle this magnificent but steely hard timber.
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