Veneer Cutting & Slicing Characteristics

Rotary veneer is produced by centering the log in a lathe and turning it against a broad cutting knife which is set into the log at a slight angle. Rotary cut veneer can be sufficiently wide to provide full sheet (one piece) faces. Follows annual growth rings creating a bold variegated grain.

Plain sliced veneer is veneer sliced parallel to the center of the log to achieve flat-cut veneer. The cathedrals are formed by the inner most annual growth rings as the veneer is cut through the flitch. Creates a prominent variegated grain.

Quarter slicing achieves a straight grain appearance by slicing perpendicular to the annual growth rings. This method creates a “striped” effect. Depending on the species, grain may be quite straight.

Rift-cut veneer is produced from the various species of oak. Oak has medullary ray cells which radiate from the center of the log like the curved spokes of a wheel. This straight grain cut is at a slight angle to the medullary rays in oak to minimize ray fleck (flake). Used on oak species, this method avoids the prominent “flake figure” of medullary rays that quarter slicing causes.