: I'm taking a college woodworking class and am making my project out of strips
: much in the same way as a kayak. I'm trying to find a darker, somewhat
: flexible wood to use as accent strips with ash and mahogany. I've used
: darker cedar before but for this project I'm really trying to stay away
: from cedar. Any suggestions?

Try some straight-grained black walnut. It bends ok with and without steam. The thinner the better naturally. I've used it on quite a few boats.

Dan