Curly Soft Maple: Beautiful Figure with Easy Turning Performance

Curly Soft Maple is a figured variation of several Soft Maple species, most commonly Acer rubrum (Red Maple) and Acer saccharinum (Silver Maple). The “curly” figure—also called flame or fiddleback figure—creates shimmering, wave-like stripes that move across the grain and reflect light beautifully.

For woodturners, Curly Soft Maple offers an excellent combination of visual impact, smooth turning characteristics, and affordability compared to Hard Maple. It produces elegant finished pieces with strong chatoyance (a three-dimensional shimmer effect) while remaining easy to work on the lathe.

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Species Information

• Scientific names: Acer rubrum, Acer saccharinum, occasionally other Soft Maple species
• Common names: Curly Soft Maple, Flame Maple, Fiddleback Maple
• Native region: North America
• Family: Sapindaceae
• Janka hardness: Approximately 700–950 lbf (varies by species)

Curly figure is not a separate species—it is a natural growth variation that distorts the grain, creating its distinctive striped appearance.

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What Causes Curly Figure?

Curly figure forms when the wood fibers grow in a slightly undulating pattern rather than straight. This creates alternating bands of end grain and long grain, which reflect light differently.

The result is:

• Flame-like striping
• Ribbon or tiger-stripe appearance
• Strong chatoyance
• Depth and movement under finish

The tighter and more consistent the curl, the more dramatic the finished appearance.

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Color and Appearance

Curly Soft Maple typically ranges from cream to light tan, sometimes with subtle reddish or gray undertones.

Appearance characteristics include:

• Light, clean background color
• Bold flame or tiger stripe figure
• Shimmering chatoyance
• Fine, uniform texture

The light base color makes the curl stand out clearly, especially under oil or gloss finishes.

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Turning Characteristics

Curly Soft Maple turns very well and is easier to work than Curly Hard Maple due to its lower density.

Turning performance highlights:

• Cuts smoothly with sharp tools
• Easier on tools than Hard Maple
• Produces clean surfaces
• May show minor tearout in highly figured areas
• Easy to shape and refine

Because the grain direction shifts within the curl, sharp tools and light finishing cuts help minimize tearout.

It performs well in both spindle and bowl turning.

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Curly Soft Maple vs Curly Hard Maple

Both are beautiful, but there are important differences:

Curly Soft Maple:

• Easier to turn
• Slightly lighter weight
• More forgiving
• Slightly less wear resistant

Curly Hard Maple:

• Harder and denser
• Holds extremely crisp detail
• More durable for high-wear items
• Slightly more challenging to turn

For decorative projects, Curly Soft Maple is often preferred because it offers dramatic figure with easier workability.

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Stability and Durability

Curly Soft Maple offers good dimensional stability when properly dried.

Performance characteristics include:

• Stable for indoor projects
• Moderate strength
• Durable finished pieces
• Less wear resistant than Hard Maple

It is well suited for decorative and moderate-use functional items.

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Ideal Uses for Woodturning

Curly Soft Maple is especially popular for decorative projects where figure is the focal point.

Common uses include:

• Bowls
• Hollow forms
• Boxes
• Lidded containers
• Spindles
• Pepper mills
• Decorative vessels

The curl becomes especially dramatic on curved surfaces.

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Sanding and Finishing

Curly Soft Maple sands easily and produces excellent finishing results.

Recommended sanding progression:

• Start at 150 grit
• Progress through 220, 320, and 400 grit
• Continue to 600 grit or higher

Finishing options include:

Oil finishes (Danish oil, tung oil)

• Enhance depth and contrast
• Maximize chatoyance

Lacquer or polyurethane

• Provide protection
• Increase clarity

Dyes (optional)

• Can enhance curl contrast dramatically

Oil finishes are especially effective at bringing out the three-dimensional shimmer of the curl.

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Why Woodturners Choose Curly Soft Maple

Curly Soft Maple offers the perfect balance of beauty and workability. Its dramatic flame figure, smooth cutting characteristics, and reliable stability make it an excellent choice for decorative and functional turning projects.

For woodturners seeking bold visual impact without the added hardness of Hard Maple, Curly Soft Maple is an outstanding and rewarding option.