About Quartered Sawn Oak
Oak first became the wood of choice during the Middle Ages when Gothic furniture was introduced, and then continued to be popular throughout the 17th century. While there are so many different types of oak including red, white, and live oak, white oak is usually used for quarter sawing. During the early 20th Century, quarter sawn oak became one of the hallmarks of the Mission style. While other materials became incorporated into the style, such as mahogany and ebony, quarter sawn oak remains the wood of choice.
Since then, quarter sawn lumber has fallen out of favor because it yields less lumber per tree and takes more labor than plain sawing. With most furniture being plain sawn today, quarter sawn oak furniture have become prized period pieces and are therefore an important key to accurately recreating the true look of mission style furniture.
In order to quarter saw, one must cut a log at a 90-degree angle from the growth rings to produce a vertical and uniform pattern grain. The grain on the face of a quarter sawn board will be parallel lines that are straight, tight, and run the length of the board. The closer the growth rings are to being 90-degrees from the face of the board, the greater the chance is to getting the famous medullary ray flecks. Additional aesthetics include wavy and interlocked grains. Structural benefits to quarter sawn oak include reduced twisting, warping, and cupping; holding finishes better, and not allowing liquids to readily pass through it.
A quarter sawn piece radiates elegance and traditional beauty. The extra work put into it is admirable and the results truly stand out. When you own a traditionally built mission style piece, your unit will only get better with age, making it an heirloom that will proudly remain part of your family for years.
Here at Mostly Mission we have perfected a seven step finishing process that is reminiscent of the finishes used by the original Mission style furniture makers.