Rift-sawing is a woodworking process that aims to produce lumber that is less vulnerable to distortion than flat sawn lumber. Rift-sawing may be done strictly along a log's radials—perpendicular to the annular growth ring orientation or wood grain—or as part of the quarter sawing process.

How is rift sawing done?

Rift sawing is a technique typically used on species such as oak, which may possess heavy medullary ray growth. When rift sawing, the log is cut along its radius, such that cuts are made at right angles to the log's growth rings.

How is rift sawn lumber cut?

Similar to quarter sawn lumber, rift sawn lumber is also referred to as radial grain. The most stable boards, and also the most wasteful to produce, are rift sawn planks. Each of these boards is cut radially perpendicular to the growth rings of the tree. There are large triangles of waste left from between each board.