Behind the Scenes: The Perfect Cut

At Ebony and Co, we’re naturally obsessed with bringing out the wood’s intrinsic value. To do so, we practice patience, indulge in know-how, and use our expertise on the perfect cut. Only then can we craft the purest wide plank floor.

At Ebony and Co, the great artist is nature. Each floor represents a journey through time, and it always starts with what nature gives us. To craft the purest wide plank floor requires essential knowledge. For one, we need know-how concerning a wood’s terroir, for finding and mindfully sourcing the widest, purest and rarest boards available. Then, there’s wisdom — to use only the best tree. And, the expertise needed to select the best part of that tree. Last, we need the mastery to make the perfect cut.

Six is the magic number

Whether we are handpicking beautiful solid heart-cuts of oak or live sawn walnut top layers, we always look for the lower part. The first six metres (18 ft) of the tree shows fewer ingrown branches, which means fewer knots. For exceptionally long boards, we seek those rare trees that are both taller and wider and have branched out higher in the tree’s early life.

Our widest boards are cut from the heart of the lower, old-growth part of the trunks. These cuts are generally wider, more stable and denser, and longer than the cuts from other parts of the tree. The greater dimensions of wide planks ensure that there are fewer seams between them. This brings out the long, rich grain structure of the wood. In our view, much of the quality of the floor is defined by the quality of the log and the vision with which it’s cut, and how those cuts are blended into a precious floor. Maybe it’s worth mentioning here that the other parts of the tree are used responsibly for carpentry products.

Wood personalities

The first step in the selection process is deciding which type of wood offers the best fit. Each wood species has its own personality. It pays to explore the diverse qualities of our newly sawn hardwoods: Continental Oak, American White Oak, American Walnut, True Bog Oak, Continental and American Ash, American Maple, Douglas Fir, Hickory, American Cherry, or maybe a variety featured in our carefully reclaimed Antique woods.

The importance of the right cut

Once the type of wood is chosen, it’s time to think about the aptest ‘grading’. Inside that beautiful old tree trunk, a myriad of patterns co-exists. How and where we cut the tree directly resonates with the desired character of a floor. Maybe a more uniform and clearer growth structure brings out the best of the spatial qualities. Or possibly it’s a floor with a beautiful rustic growth character that defines the room.

Cutting dictionary

Now that we’ve explained the vital importance of executing the right cut. Let’s have a look at the different cuts that are possible.

Cant cut

This part of the log is less suitable for wide plank flooring, and shows a more funky and fuzzy grain, often with lots of light sapwood.

Plain or live-sawn

The purest old-growth wood yielded from the lower part of the tree, between heart and cant, where fewer early branches, thus fewer in-grown knots, are found. Wider boards from this section show the typical “cathedral” grain that reveals age and authenticity.

Heart and sheer-core cuts

The few boards from near the heart (pith) of the tree, often show the heart crack or it’s typical heart-grain contours across the boards, with the vertical grain on either side. Boards cut from this part recall original beam-cuts from reclaimed old oak. We often mix them into our Country Vintage grade, which is essentially a blend of these sheer-core boards and character boards showing beautiful knots.

Quarter-sawn

This cut shows a fine vertical parallel grain, often revealing the typical medullary rays of oak under this angle. We often blend quarter-sawn boards with rift-sawn, as the parallel grain in these cuts blends very well.

Rift-sawn

This cut under an angle still shows a parallel grain flow, but the grain runs a bit wider and medullary rays are barely noticeable under the angle it’s cut. Rift-sawn boards are mainly narrower than quarter-sawn boards but yield the most pristine and calm grade.

0 - Cant cut

This part of the log is less suitable for wide plank flooring, and shows a more funky and fuzzy grain, often with lots of light sapwood.

1 - Plain or live-sawn

The purest old-growth wood yielded from the lower part of the tree, between heart and cant, where fewer early branches, thus fewer in-grown knots, are found. Wider boards from this section show the typical “cathedral” grain that reveals age and authenticity.

2 - Heart and sheer-core cuts

The few boards from near the heart (pith) of the tree, often show the heart crack or it’s typical heart-grain contours across the boards, with the vertical grain on either side. Boards cut from this part recall original beam-cuts from reclaimed old oak. We often mix them into our Country Vintage grade, which is essentially a blend of these sheer-core boards and character boards showing beautiful knots.

3 - Quarter-sawn

This cut shows a fine vertical parallel grain, often revealing the typical medullary rays of oak under this angle. We often blend quarter-sawn boards with rift-sawn, as the parallel grain in these cuts blends very well.

4 - Rift-sawn

This cut under an angle still shows a parallel grain flow, but the grain runs a bit wider and medullary rays are barely noticeable under the angle it’s cut. Rift-sawn boards are mainly narrower than quarter-sawn boards but yield the most pristine and calm grade.

Explore all our wood species and gradings