Rift & Quartered Oak in La Jolla, CA
Posted on
3/23/2022
Rift and Quartered grain is produced through a distinct milling technique that differs from the more common, plain sawn design. 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, therefore being called rift and quartered.
Rift and Quartered grain is produced through a distinct milling technique that differs from the more common, plain sawn design. 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, therefore being called rift and quartered. This produces the traditional long lined grain that rift and quartered is recognized for.
Another distinct quality of rift and quartered hardwood is the presentation of medullary rays. Medullary rays are the cellular structures found in timbers, containing small capillaries inside timber 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. Basically, only rift and quartered grain can have a straight grain with flecking due to the way it's milled.
A lot of timber species can be cut in a rift and quartered grain; it is commonly understood to be more steady with less expansion and contraction due to changes in temperature and humidity. Making it more preferable and usable in a wider range of applications. Rift and quartered grain is most common with White Oak.
.webp)
