Solid wood that has been plasticized using steam or hot water, allowing it to be clamped around a rigid form without breaking. Once the wood cools and dries, the lignin resets, locking the timber into its new curved shape. This technique creates strong, continuous grain curves for chair backs, boat ribs, and architectural details without the weakness of cut joints.
Heard on the job
We need straight-grained ash or oak if we're going to do bentwood for these chair backs, otherwise they'll splinter on the form.
Insider tip
Air-dried lumber bends much better than kiln-dried stock because the lignin has not been hardened by the intense heat of the kiln.