Bearclaw - Vault

Bearclaw refers to a natural pattern in spruce grain that appears as curved, claw-like ripples across the surface. It’s caused by localized distortions in the tree’s growth that become visible when the wood is planed. While relatively common in spruce, we don’t typically grade for or against it, unless the figure shows strong intensity and symmetry. When it does, we set those aside for the Vault.

Bearclaw occurs primarily in spruce, especially Sitka, Lutz, and occasionally Engelmann. Because it’s often apparent in log form or on the split face of a block, our team can identify strong patterns early in the process and reserve the most striking pieces for the Vault.

When the figure is bold and balanced, bearclaw spruce creates a top that’s instantly recognizable. The texture gives a dimensional, almost hand-sculpted look under finish. Acoustically, the irregularity in the grain can add subtle cross-grain stiffness, which some luthiers believe enhances clarity and projection.

Most luthiers find that bearclaw has a neutral to slightly positive effect on tone. The figure reflects minor variations in grain alignment, which can enhance responsiveness without compromising weight or balance. Many describe bearclaw tops as having a “lively” or “crisp” tap tone.

Not at all. Bearclaw behaves just like regular spruce during cutting, joining, and bracing. The visual figure doesn’t affect workability, though some builders note that light-angle changes during sanding or finishing may require extra attention for a uniform sheen. Otherwise, structurally and tonally, it’s no different from our top-quality Sitka or Lutz.

Yes, all sets are dried, stabilized, and conditioned in our dehumidification kiln. Moisture content is kept at about 8.5% for long-term stability and tonal reliability. That being said, we always recommend that you dry and acclimate the wood according to your own schedule/protocols.

We pull bearclaw tops from our production stream when the figure shows exceptional symmetry and coverage. New pieces are added about 1–2 times a month, sometimes sooner, depending on what comes through the mill. Because each set is truly unique, availability is limited, and pieces often sell quickly. To get early access to pieces added, you can sign up for our Luthiers’ Edge Vault Newsletter.