There are two main types of wood cutting and sawing.

Rip cut is a type of cut that splits the log along its length according to its growth pattern. In other words, the cut creates a minimum of friction with the wood by moving in the direction of the wood fibers.

Cross cut, on the other hand, is a type of cut that completely intersects all the wood fibers, essentially blocking them. The fibers become shorter, and the wood appearance changes.

There are advantages to each type of cut: The rip cut is more natural and preserves the integrity of the wood fibers without severing them, making it stronger and more resistant to breakage and splitting. The main disadvantage of a rip cut is that it only reveals a part of the wood that has been cut. It does not provide a complete picture of the entire wood.

The cross cut is more impressive because it allows you to see the wood's core all the way to its bark, creating an impressive circular motion. However, its most significant disadvantages are that it is more prone to splitting and cracking. At certain thicknesses, it can even break, especially if you screw into it or attach a piece of wood, as the short fibers tend to open up.