I got a bunch of rustic walnut boards on sale from Rockler a few months back. What does ‘rustic’ actually mean?
Haven’t been able to find much online. Though a little janky the boards have incredible wavy figuring and I plan to make veneers out of them. Thanks!
Replies
The industry accepted grades for hardwood are firsts and seconds, select, no. 1 common, etc. Rustic is a recent marketing term for lesser grade hardwoods that have excessive knots, splits, inclusions, etc.
So "rustic" doesn't mean anything, really. It's just a nicer word for, as you put it, janky.
It could also mean it was part of something else once, not fresh from a tree. Meaning, like barn wood or barrel staves, it's been around. That doesn't make it useless, just makes it challenging.
All deference to John, I like knots, etc. They're what gives the boards character. I have a couple Canarywood boards that'd just be yellowheart without its scars.
On the other hand, I can't picture what you mean about the wood without seeing it.
That probably didn't help you but just enjoy the wood. Woodworking's supposed to be fun.
Mikaol
Good Luck with the veneer... You need straight, flat boards to do this well; and, I'm not sure you're going to get there.
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