Curly Grain (Tiger Stripe)
Curly grain, also called tiger stripe or fiddleback figure, is a wavy distortion of wood fibers that creates alternating light and dark stripes across the face of a board. The stripes seem to move and shimmer as the viewing angle changes. It is most valued in maple, cherry, and birch.
In-Depth Explanation
Curly figure occurs when the wood fibers grow in a repetitive undulating pattern rather than running straight along the trunk. When the board is planed or sliced, these waves are cut at alternating angles, creating bands that reflect light differently — some fibers are cut with the grain and appear glossy, while adjacent bands are cut against the grain and appear matte. This optical effect, called chatoyance, is similar to what creates the shimmer in a cat's eye gemstone. The intensity of curl is described by the frequency and depth of the waves. Tight, dramatic curl with closely spaced stripes is the most valuable. Fiddleback is the term used when the curl is especially regular and uniform, named for its traditional use in violin backs. Curly wood is more difficult to machine than straight-grained wood because the alternating grain direction tends to cause tearout during planing.
Usage Example
The furniture maker paid a premium for 8/4 curly cherry to use as the drawer fronts on a highboy, knowing the chatoyance would be a showpiece.