: How very interesting. Do you think it also has to do w/ the angle of the
: vertical grain. Like is your grain slanted over slightly so the other
: strips grain slants the other way.

: I wonder if it could set up some light polarization. I know that glasses or
: lenses can be set up to minimize polarization, but could sanding do it?
: Like say the next coat of varnish was only sanded in the long direction
: and then the one on top of that was v. v. slightly tinted and sanded
: randomly. Or say it was sanded only at 90 deg, and the last was also v v v
: slightly tinted and sanded randomly. Dumb idea, but what is oriented in
: lenses that polarize??

: -mick

What would happen if you gave up the idea of a glossy finish and went w/ a non-glare. Personally, I hate glossy finishes on wood - to me the wood's character becomes plasticised and cheap. So if you went w/ a steel wool brushed finish (someone here said that satin varnish was softer so maybe don't use), would the differential reflection be so apparent? This would also be easy to test.

-mick