The WoodSwatch Journal
Stories, research, and insights from the world of timber.
12 articles
Forest Sustainability: How the World's Timber Supply Is Managed, Certified, and Misunderstood
FSC, PEFC, plantation forestry, and the carbon question — a practical guide to what sustainable timber actually means and how to source it responsibly.
Quartersawn vs. Flatsawn vs. Riftsawn: How Milling Affects Grain, Stability, and Look
The angle of the saw cut determines everything: grain figure, dimensional movement, and suitability for furniture, flooring, and architectural millwork.
The World's Hardest Woods: A Ranked Guide from Balsa to Lignum Vitae
From the softest commercial timber to the hardest wood on Earth — a ranked tour of Janka hardness with practical guidance for specifiers and woodworkers.
Janka Hardness: What It Measures, How It's Tested, and Why It Matters
The standard metric for wood's resistance to wear and indentation — from test procedure to practical application in flooring, furniture, and tool selection.
Dalbergia melanoxylon: The Wood of the Pharaohs
From ancient Egyptian tombs to modern clarinets, explore the 5,000-year history of the world's densest timber.
Dalbergia latifolia: The Luthier's Compromise That Became the Standard
When CITES Appendix I made Brazilian Rosewood untouchable in 1992, the guitar industry pivoted. East Indian Rosewood stepped in, and three decades later, it refuses to step out.
Wood Species by Region: A Guide to Timber From the Americas, Africa, and Southeast Asia
A geographic tour of commercial timber — from North American hardwoods to African exotics to Southeast Asian staples. Map provenance to specification.
How to Read a Wood Grain: Figure, Medullary Rays, and What Makes Each Species Unique
A visual guide to grain patterns, figure types, and anatomical features that define wood aesthetics — for designers, architects, and anyone specifying timber.
Endangered and Restricted Timbers: What Woodworkers Need to Know About CITES
CITES Appendix I, II, and III — what they mean, which species are restricted, and how to source responsibly. A practical guide for responsible sourcing.
PBR Textures for Wood: What They Are and Why Architects Use Them in 3D Rendering
Albedo, Normal, Roughness — the texture maps that make digital wood look real. A guide for architects, 3D artists, and architectural visualizers.
The Difference Between Hardwood and Softwood (It's Not What You Think)
Balsa is a hardwood. Yew is a softwood. The distinction is botanical, not density — and it matters for understanding wood taxonomy and specification.
Burmese vs. Plantation Teak: A Sustainability Report
Understanding the oil content, density differences, and ethical sourcing of Tectona grandis.