which side to cut - top or bottom

how bout 2’ off each end?

Looks like a significant bookmatching of the panels. Pic 2 shows the old guy with exaggerated eyebrows, sunken eyes, and on the left a nose. I’d retain as much of that as you could, so on them I’d cut off some forehead. I am losing track of tops and bottoms when going to the other side, but depending on the parts you like the most, keep them. From where I am looking it would be an easy choice. I would NOT cut off each end.

Cut yourself a 4” piece the width of the panel, and use that as a sliding gauge to cover 4” at a time, and see what you want to keep.

-- Think safe, be safe

I would NOT cut off each end.

- therealSteveN

With capitol letters no less, well pardon me for offering an opinion. Won’t make that mistake again. Thanks for the insult.

My suggestion is the first pic 2 inches from both ends like common joe says.
The second pic cut away from the end with the 12 inch ruler. The bottom looks to nice to sacrifice anything.
I also vote to pardon Joe. He has shown great humility. :)
Good Luck

-- Aj

I would NOT cut off each end.

- therealSteveN

With capitol letters no less, well pardon me for offering an opinion. Won t make that mistake again. Thanks for the insult.

- CommonJoe

You’ll get that from time-to-time around here. Actually, I agree with your suggestion for the boards in image three. Hard to say for sure just based on a photo, but that’s the way I’d go if I were doing it—2 inches off the top and two off the bottom.

For the second image, I’d go 4” off the top. Actually, it’s a shame to have to take any off either board, but that’s what looks good to me.

And REMEMBER†, this is a matter of opinion. If yours is different from mine, it doesn’t mean either one is wrong. It all comes down to how it looks to YOU‡.

† Sorry, I couldn’t resist.
‡ Nope, couldn’t resist that one either :)

-- Half of what we read or hear about finishing is right. We just don’t know which half! — Bob Flexner

I need to cut the panels down for a new exterior door.

- Mark Shultz

Hard to tell, but I think I see the edge of a plywood board at the top of image two. That, and the grain looks like it’s two halves of a slip match that’s made up of book matched. That’s often how the veneer grain on a sheet of hardwood veneer plywood is laid out.

Since it’s an exterior door, if that’s plywood, is it exterior grade?

-- Half of what we read or hear about finishing is right. We just don’t know which half! — Bob Flexner

4 off top

-- WAR IS PEACE. FREEDOM IS SLAVERY. IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH --

I used microsoft paint to hide a couple of inches at the tops and bottoms. I can’t see where it hurt the image any, but keen eye Steve may.

Take the 4” out of the middle.

I would trim the bottom in the upper pic, and in the lower one, take 1 1/2” off the bottom of the panel and the rest off the top.

good thoughts here. thanks folks.

Leave the top alone. The bottom won’t look significantly different where the top will and the top looks nice as is.