Adrian McCurdy

I work mainly with riven oak split out by wedge and mallet in garden space. The process begins by selecting a tree-butt with size and growth to suit future furniture ideas.
Selection continues some years later when returning to air-dried stock to begin a commission. Each part used is individual in appearance and shape and demands special assembly techniques…machines cannot be relied upon.

Riven shapes release the ‘inner tree-growth’ characteristics and are typified by gentle curves, robustness and the beautiful figuring of quartered-oak.

Seating or boxes are the likely choice for cleft wood. When making tables I revert to the ‘generic sawn board’ using wooden peg construction, hand-planed finish and sometimes-added colour.