I think most people go with the MDF. Typically your hardware get's installed on the frame and not the center panel. If your drawer front is big enough to get a panel, you will have plenty of structure close by in the frame if you wanted to mount your hardware on the MDF and not worry about pulling the panel over time.

Thank you! That is definitely an option but for the shaker style drawers I think I like the look of the pull being centered in the drawer, not on the frame.

I wouldn't worry about it for drawer fronts. If you were putting a knob in the middle of a 2ft square door and had the drawer loaded with cast iron pans, over time you might see a warp in the MDF. If you worried about the knob pulling out for some reason, just use a washer along with the screw on the inside of the drawer to distribute those forces more.

MDF is the preferred material for all. If you feel that you are going to have more than the drawer's weight rating, worry about the drawer assembly before you worry about the pull.

Thank you all! It turned out to be less than a $300 dollar difference between the two so I was stressing about nothing. But it's good to know MDF might be a better option anyway.

Out of respect for the fine Shaker craftsmen,it would be an insult to call anything made from MDF Shaker.

There are high grades of MDF . Some are even suitable for exterior applications. beside using this type of board I always do at least a 3/8" reverse raised panel on a shaker '"style" door. This is what the back looks like.

Try again with the picture.

Fromy looks like regular shaker door but panel is thicker making for a more substantial door.