Baltic, Russian, Finnish Birch Differences ? - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

Tom J. · 12-03-2008, 12:02 AM

I have heard different people comment on these variouse types of Birch Plywood. Some say Baltic is better than Russian and others say Finnish is the best. Do you have any real information on these plywoods or are they basically the same product with different names. At a Home Depot in Canada it is reported that they are selling "Made in Canada" Russian Birch.

How does a person know what they are getting ??

Tom

greatdane2 · 12-03-2008, 02:46 AM

I tend to go by how many layers are in the plywood and if you can see any voids or patches.

groverd · 12-03-2008, 02:53 AM

I have been using Russian Birch for years and am happy with it. The 1/8 in that I use a lot of is three ply and all three ply's are the same size. The stuff I get is good one side the oppisite side does have some plugs that i work around. I picked up 4 sheets (5x5) in Seattle today for $15 a sheet. And one piece of 3/8 for $35...

lucky788scroller · 12-03-2008, 04:09 AM

Somewhere online at one time I read a comparison of the various plywoods, but I cant find it again. From what I remember, I think they claimed the Finnish plywood was the best of the three, followed by the baltic birch which was considered synonomous with Russian ply .I dont really know one is a lot better than the other as far as strength goes, but The Finnish birch plywood has exterior glue used, so it will withstand humidity changes better, and I also think Finnish has a harder outer layer than Baltic birch, so it should stain more evenly than BB ply, so depends on exactly what you plan on doing, and how deep your pockets are, because any of those are better than the other plywoods available.

Richard Grover · 12-03-2008, 01:31 PM

Finnish Birch plywood is good both sides, while Baltic Birch plywood is good one side (has football plugs). So if you are going to back your piece with something else Baltic Birch is fine and can save you some money. If both sides are visible when finished then use the Finnish Birth. It will cost a little bit more but the apearance will be worth the extra cost. Not familar with russian Birch at all, sorry.

DG Dewalt 788

12-03-2008, 12:02 AM	#1
Tom J. Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Montreal area, Quebec Posts: 67	Baltic, Russian, Finnish Birch Differences ? I have heard different people comment on these variouse types of Birch Plywood. Some say Baltic is better than Russian and others say Finnish is the best. Do you have any real information on these plywoods or are they basically the same product with different names. At a Home Depot in Canada it is reported that they are selling "Made in Canada" Russian Birch. How does a person know what they are getting ?? Tom

12-03-2008, 02:46 AM	#2
greatdane2 Dumb Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Vancouver Island, BC. Canada Posts: 2,225	I tend to go by how many layers are in the plywood and if you can see any voids or patches. __________________ Alan and Rafi. In our house, if you have to bend over to pet a dog it ain't a real dog! UNLESS its a puppy. And the puppy is getting huge. 8 months old and 32" at the shoulders.

12-03-2008, 02:53 AM	#3
groverd Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: washington state Posts: 449	I have been using Russian Birch for years and am happy with it. The 1/8 in that I use a lot of is three ply and all three ply's are the same size. The stuff I get is good one side the oppisite side does have some plugs that i work around. I picked up 4 sheets (5x5) in Seattle today for $15 a sheet. And one piece of 3/8 for $35... __________________ Grover D RBI Hawk 226 and Dewalt 788 http://groverd.myphotoalbum.com/albums.php

12-03-2008, 04:09 AM	#4
lucky788scroller Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: wisconsin Posts: 6,260	Somewhere online at one time I read a comparison of the various plywoods, but I cant find it again. From what I remember, I think they claimed the Finnish plywood was the best of the three, followed by the baltic birch which was considered synonomous with Russian ply .I dont really know one is a lot better than the other as far as strength goes, but The Finnish birch plywood has exterior glue used, so it will withstand humidity changes better, and I also think Finnish has a harder outer layer than Baltic birch, so it should stain more evenly than BB ply, so depends on exactly what you plan on doing, and how deep your pockets are, because any of those are better than the other plywoods available. __________________ Dale w/ yella saws

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12-03-2008, 01:31 PM	#5
Richard Grover Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 145	Finnish Birch plywood is good both sides, while Baltic Birch plywood is good one side (has football plugs). So if you are going to back your piece with something else Baltic Birch is fine and can save you some money. If both sides are visible when finished then use the Finnish Birth. It will cost a little bit more but the apearance will be worth the extra cost. Not familar with russian Birch at all, sorry. DG Dewalt 788