How are saw-cut veneers different from machine-cut veneers?

In the furniture industry, the primary differences between saw-cut and machine-cut veneers relate to quality, cost, and production efficiency.1

• Quality: Saw-cut veneer is considered the highest quality available.1
• Cost and Efficiency: Because the sawing process results in a relatively large amount of wood waste in the form of sawdust, saw-cut veneer is the most expensive option to produce. In contrast, machine-cutting is more efficient and economical, which is why it is the standard method used for most furniture veneer.1

Generally, the process of creating veneers involves cutting fine wood into thin sheets—typically between 1/16 and 1/32 of an inch thick—using methods such as sawing, slicing, shaving, or peeling with rotary machines. While early hand-cut veneers were often thicker, modern mechanical techniques have enabled the mass production of furniture using these thin layers to create attractive, smooth surfaces over less expensive base woods.21