Issue 261

Issue 261

The Call of the Wild

Rob-Portrait351I admit it. I am of two minds – OK, my kids might say that is an understatement — but when it comes to my wood preference, the statement is dead-on. On one hand, straight quartersawn grain is very pleasing to me. I like it in spruce, white oak, red oak, mahogany … you get the drift. I have built tons of projects with quartersawn lumber.

But on the other hand, I really like wild figure in my woodworking projects. That is especially true when I am turning bowls — where the swirling grain adds depth and detail that catches the eye and fires the imagination. But even in cabinetry and other more rectilinear woodworking, bold figure can really bring almost an artistic pop to an otherwise mundane piece of woodworking.

So what about you? Which do you prefer — plain grain or fancy figure, straight or curvy? I know you have an opinion.

So let me know what you think. Whichever you like better, you can give that to me straight. Whether you are of one mind, or many.

Rob Johnstone, Woodworker’s Journal

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