Quarter-Sawn vs. Rift-Sawn White Oak
How a log is cut changes how the wood looks and behaves. White oak shows the difference clearly.
Plain-sawn (flat-sawn) is the most common cut and gives the familiar cathedral grain pattern. Quarter-sawn boards are cut so the growth rings run close to perpendicular to the face. In white oak this reveals ray fleck, shimmering flecks that give it a distinctive Arts and Crafts look. Rift-sawn boards are cut at an angle between plain and quarter-sawn, which gives straight, linear grain with little or none of the fleck. Rift-sawn is calm and modern, and it is the cut many designers choose for contemporary kitchens and built-ins.
Both cuts are more dimensionally stable than plain-sawn lumber, meaning less movement as humidity changes. That helps doors and panels stay flat. The trade-off is cost: these cuts produce more waste from each log, so quarter-sawn and rift-sawn boards usually cost more.
If you want classic fleck and character, ask for quarter-sawn. For a straight, quiet grain, ask for rift-sawn. Rotary cut is a different method used for veneer, where the log is turned against a blade and peeled in a continuous sheet, giving a broad, wandering grain. The same terms apply to other hardwoods, including walnut.
See how we use these cuts in our custom kitchens in Toronto.
How we use it: White oak can be cut to suit the client’s request: rift-sawn, quarter-sawn (quartered), flat (plain) sawn or rotary cut are all options. Our Contemporary Walnut Kitchen has rift-sawn black walnut grain continuing across appliance panels.