Our qualities
We have established quality standards for the sorting of our live products in 160+ wide according to the "QF" applications used in France.
The attached photos are just the beginning of explanations. We distinguish the qualities according to two main categories. :
Grading on the two faces
QF1A QF1A/1b QF1b/2 QF2/3
Each board is inspected on both sides to ensure a compliant knot selection. Particular attention is given to the flatness of the board as it is intended for thickness re-sawing. No trace of heart or sapwood is accepted.
Grading on the best face
QF1-2X QF2/3X QF3/4x KERN QF5X
Indicated by the letter X, meaning that on the backside there might be the presence of limited sapwood, but not necessarily on all the boards. In the lower grades, a trace of closed heartwood is accepted.
According to the widths and the sorting programme, we also have sorting variants. Here is a table for informational purposes that summarises the majority of the options you will find on the market and their correspondences.
QF norm | In short | UK | East Europe |
QF1Q | 1st Rift&quarter | Rift & Quarter | |
QF1A | 1st grade | A+ | |
QF1A/1b | 1st/bis | A | |
QF1b | Bis | A | |
QF1b/2 | Bis/2 | A | |
QF1X | 1X | Prime | A |
QF1-2X | 12X | Select | A |
QF2/3X | 23X | Character | AB |
QF3/4X | 34X | Rustic | BC |
QF4/5C | Kern | Coeur 2 faces | BCD |
QF5X | 5X | Barn | CD |
Download our Grading rules (pdf)

Bis
Knots 12 mm max.

Bis/2
Healthy Knots 12-25 mm

2/3
Healthy Knots 25 mm

3/4
Knots 45-80 mm

KERN
Full heart 2 faces