What is Quartersawn Oak?

What is Quartersawn Oak?

Nicole Meskos

Stickley is best known for our use of Solid Quartersawn White Oak, but what is it?

 Solid Quarter Sawn White Oak is a method of sawing oak by following the woods' natural grain patterns, rather than cutting across them. This creates a straight, vertical grain on the face of each wood board that Arts and Crafts furniture is known for. It is a defining characteristic of mission furniture, and creates beautiful, high-quality furniture.  

Solid Quartersawn White Oak is strong and durable because it binds the perpendicular fibers together. It is a renewable crop. The lumber is gathered from logs pulled out of mixed forests on private lands one at a time. This happens before the tree can decline, rather than rotting and burning in the forest at the end of life. This is just like the process of weeding a garden and helps keep Stickley sustainable.  

 

To identify White Quartersawn Oak in furniture look for... 

  • Long, straight grain lines running the length of the board
  • Flecked or ribbon like patterns shimmering on the surface of the wood
  • A consistent wood grain
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