Figure (wood)

In wood, figure refers to the appearance of wood, as seen on a longitudinal surface (side-grain).

Description
In wood, figure refers to the appearance of wood, as seen on a longitudinal surface (side-grain). A figured wood is not plain.

The figure of a particular piece of wood is, in part, due to its grain and, in part, due to the cut, or to innate properties of the wood.

Types
A few of the tropical hardwoods, like the rosewoods, may have a unique figure. Types of figure include:
 * angel step
 * bear scratches
 * bird's eye
 * blister
 * burl
 * curl
 * ribbon curl
 * dimple
 * fiddleback
 * flame
 * wide flame
 * ghost
 * pin stripe
 * quilted
 * spalted
 * tiger stripe