Wood Info archives – Click images below to see full story.
What is Spalted Wood? Spalted wood is wood that has been altered by a specific type of decay caused by fungi, resulting in unique and often beautiful patterns of discoloration and texture. These patterns, known as zone lines, are created by the fungi as they feed on the wood. Spalted wood is highly valued by woodworkers for its aesthetic qualities…
What is Figured Wood? Wood ‘figure’ is a broad term that describes any wood with an interesting or unique grain pattern. It can include grain patterns that are unusual in shape, color or chatoyancy. It includes knots, crotches, burls and spalting. (Click here to read about Chatoyancy) ‘Figure’ can include Burls: Burls are abnormal growths on…
Chatoyancy (shə-TOY-ən-see) Chatoyance in wood is a shimmering effect that occurs when light interacts with the wood’s grain, creating an illusion of depth. This effect is often seen in figured woods like curly maple, where the wavy grain patterns cause light to reflect differently at various angles, resulting in a lustrous, jewel-like appearance; often seen…
What are the Best Woods for Cutting Boards? The best woods for cutting boards strike a balance between hardness and porosity, ensuring the board is both functional and long-lasting. When selecting wood for a cutting board, there are 4 main properties to consider, durability, ease of maintenance, effect on knives and food safety. Below are…
How hard is my wood? The Janka Harness Scale is the way to know! The Janka Hardness Test was created by American researcher Gabriel Janka (1864–1932). It measures the resistance of a sample of wood to denting and wear. It measures the force required to embed a 7⁄16 inch steel ball halfway into a sample of wood. The diameter was…