Told to help myself to some offcuts (mostly softwood) for firewood, I found some 2 by 3 inch pieces of what I assumed was iroko. However, on planing a piece I wonder if it is, in fact, oak. It is all rift sawn. Any comments?
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Another "What species?"
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Max Power
Established Member
And mine
Have you sniffed the cut end grain?
Owd Jockey
Established Member
Once you've worked Oak you get a very distinctive aroma.
I've worked a lot of Oak, does that mean I smell funny?
Probably
worn thumbs
Established Member
No medullary rays visible and if it doesn't have any,I wouldn't rule out chestnut.
Medullary rays are visible on the end grain...
Just about to say the same. There's nothing there quarter sawn.
worn thumbs
Established Member
Chestnut does have very fine rays and while oak is more likely,I still wouldn't rule it out altogether.The smell test would soon make it clear.
Sgian Dubh
Established Member
You're right, those three pieces are rift sawn, i.e., the growth rings hit the faces and edges at approximately 45º, and the face and edge grain show as parallel lines. Rift sawn oak, which is the wood pictured in the opening post, shows little or no evidence of the medullary rays on the faces, also see 2 below. A figured cut shows end grain of the growth rings at 60º - 80º to the wide face, parallel grain on the face and medullary rays often, but not always, show as wavering ribbons, see 3 below. Quarter (radially) sawn, see 4 below, where the growth rings are between 80º and 90º to the face display parallel grain and medullary rays as flecking also sometimes known as silver grain and other nomenclature. Slainte.
Yup.
So does sapele but it's not that. 
Owd Jockey
Established Member
Yea definitely, but I'd get it checked out anyway
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