The Technique of FURNITURE MAKING

CHARACTERISTICS AND DEFECTS Grain, texture and figure

While the general term grain is normally used to cover many different characteristics of wood, e. g. straight grain, coarse grain, curly grain, raised grain, etc., strictly speaking it should only denote the direction or arrangement of the wood fibres in relation to the longitudinal axis of the tree or of the converted plank, with the term texture as descriptive of the relative size and arrangement of the constituent cells, and figure denoting the ornamental markings brought about by structural characteristics.

Grain

Where the wood fibres follow or are parallel to the long axis of the tree or plank then the term Weight grain is used. Any slight deviation from the parallel is known as oblique or diagonal grain, and pronounced deviation cross grain. If the arrangement of the fibres twists about the long axis then the twist is known as spiral; while regular waves or ripples create wavy grain, and irregular curves curly grain. The term inter­locked grain refers to a condition in which, for some unknown reason, the direction of the fibres regularly changes or reverses in successive growth layers, and is often known as ribbon or stripy grain (sapele, etc.). All these grain arrangements occur naturally in the tree, although diagonal grain can be caused by poor saw-milling, and spiral grain cut through and through in the normal way will show as simple diagonal grain on the face. Additionally, the term 'grain' is used in connection with methods of milling, etc.; thus a straight cut across the face of the plank will show end grain, while cuts parallel to the long axis (ripping cuts) produce long-grain, and oblique cuts short-grain. Quarter sawn timber/lumber is sometimes known as edge-grain timber, and plain or flat sawn as flat sawn timber. The terms rough grain, raised grain, smooth grain, etc. are not descriptive of the innate characteristics of the wood, but only of the finished surface.