Rift and Quartered Oak in Bel Air, CA
Posted on
4/21/2022
The log is sawn into four quarters and each quarter of the log is sawn perpendicular to the growth rings at an angle, thus being called rift and quartered. This creates the standard long lined grain that rift and quartered is known for.
Rift and Quartered grain is achieved with a distinct milling technique that varies from the more common, plain sawn style. Logs are cut with the grains intersecting the face of the board at an approximate 60-degree angle. The log is sawn into four quarters and each quarter of the log is sawn perpendicular to the growth rings at an angle, thus being called rift and quartered. This creates the standard long lined grain that rift and quartered is known for.
Another distinct trait of rift and quartered hardwood is the presentation of medullary rays. Medullary rays are the cellular structures found in woods, containing small capillaries inside wood that run from the center of the tree to the outer growth ring. When quarter sawn, they produce a wavy, ribbon-like effect in the board called "flecking".
Hardwood just has a straight grain with flecking when sawn into four quarters and cut at a 60-degree angle. Essentially, only rift and quartered grain can have a straight grain with flecking due to how it's milled.
Many timber species can be cut in a rift and quartered grain; it is often understood to be more secure with less expansion and contraction caused by changes in temperature and humidity. Making it more preferable and functional in a wider range of applications. Rift and quartered grain is most prevalent with White Oak.
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