WHAT ARE LIVE EDGE TOPS?

What we have offered up to this point is what we call “live edge glue up tops”. These tops are 1 3/8" thick with live edge pieces on each side with random staves glued in between to achieve the required width. Width is still approximate because of the variation of shapes of the edges. The angle of the edge is determined by where the board was selected from in the log. A table edge without an angle would have been cut from the center of the log. If it has a sharper angle, it means the board was taken close to the outside of the log. One advantage that a glue up top has compared to a book match live edge slab is that glue ups tend to be more stable and resulting in less cracking and movement as well as lesser cost because of the thickness.

Book match Live Edge Slabs are done an entirely different way than glue ups. A log is cut into slabs with each slab stacked in order as they were cut. Sequences of two slabs are used for one top. Picture two slabs stacked on top of the other and taking the top slab and flipping it just like you would the pages of a book. By doing this book match, it makes a symmetrical shaped top with both sides following the same shape. There is one glue joint in the center joining the two slabs together plus dovetails that are routed into the joints for reinforcement. The dovetails will be done in the same species as the top, with the option of choosing a different species for the dovetail such as Walnut dovetail with rustic Cherry top. The beauty of these slabs are stunning because of each top being unique in graining and shape. These slab tops have a high potential for developing season splits, cracks and end grain checks because of the thickness and because of not being glue up staves. Choosing to own one of these amazing creations of nature is also realizing cracks or splits are not considered defective or cause for return to the place of purchase.