I'm using poplar to build a demo of a project using sliding dovetails, but it's working me more than I'm working it. I feel that my iron and chisels are sharp (easily shave hair off my arm). When I tried using my dovetail plane on the tails, I could not get a clean cut. I had a backing piece and no blow out issues. The tails looked like the bird was molting. I decided to switch methods and start with the channel for the tails using chisels. Again I found it almost impossible to consistently pare cleanly and the recessed sides were a mess. I'm sure my technique needs improving but before I start again, just wondered if poplar needs special treatment for these types of cuts.
Eric
P.S. - I did do a search and didn't find any threads that addressed my problems.