What Is A Closed Grain Hardwood

Precise definitions of open and closed grained species don t exist but softwoods are generally considered open grain as is oak ash mahogany and walnut.

What is a closed grain hardwood.

Close grained dense or compact in structure or texture as a wood composed of small diameter cells. Close grained wood is often used in carving since the tightness of the grain allows for fine detail and an overall smooth and even surface. The cut will definitely affect the pattern and look of the grain as well as the strength. Most north american diffuse porous woods have small dense pores resulting in less distinct figure and grain.

Smaller pores create a closed grain. Certain closed grain woods such as cherry and maple tend to develop finishing blotches caused by textured grain. It s the wood pores that determined if it s open or closed grain. Grain means texture too texture means the relative size as well as the amount of variation in size of the wood cells.

This refers to the texture of the wood s cell structure. Does anyone know where i can find something like this. Those with smaller pores to small to see clearly have a closed grain. Close grained wood usually prevents this from happening.

Larger pores are considered open grain and are visible to the naked eye. Open grain woods appear coarser than closed grain woods because the surface isn t as smooth. Wood hardness varies among the hardwood species and some are actually softer than some softwoods. I am looking for a detailed list that shows which woods are open grain and closed grain.

Closed grain species include maple birch cherry and hickory. Don t care about the obvious woods like oak maple and walnut looking more for the exotic woods. Hardwood pores also come in a wide range of sizes. In carving with a wood that has a wider grain the carver can often find the grain to split in an undesirable place ruining the carving.

Close grain hardwoods such as cherry maple birch and yellow poplar are diffuse porous species. Deciduous perennial plants which are normally leafless for some time during the year. Measuring 1 300 lbf on the hardness scale this food safe closed grained hardwood is non damaging to knives and offers stellar scratch and impact resistance outdone only by hard maple. Hardwoods can be either open grain or closed grain.