In order to specify veneer that has
very straight grain without the "flame"
pattern, in most cases Quarter Sliced
or Quartered veneer is specified. The
quarter of a log is mounted on a plate
so that the growth rings are perpendicular to the plate, and the plate is raised
and lowered against the blade in a
direction radial to the center of the log.
Quartered leaves cut consecutively are
narrower than plain sliced and typically
contain straighter grain. The cut
requires the largest diameter logs, usually from tropical species. However,
quartered white oak is often sliced
specifically for its appearance of "flake,"
which is actually created by the veneer
knife bisecting radial tubules in the
tree structure, called medullary rays.
In most species these medullary rays
are so small as to be unnoticed in the
grain pattern, but in the oak family they
produce the distinct flake marking. The
ray flake should not be considered a
defect, but rather a personal aesthetic
choice on the part of the designer.
Quartered cherry, ash, maple, and red
oak are usually the portions of a flat cut
log where the heartwood is defective
or is wide enough to be clipped and
used as quarters. Quarter cut leaves
can easily be sequenced and matched.
Flake pattern is produced when slicing through Medullary Rays in some species, pricipally oak.
Typical quartered grain patterns.