What is Kraft paper grain, and why is it important?
One of the most important aspects of working with Kraft paper when pasting shells, rolling tubes, or making leaders is being able to determine the “grain” of the Kraft paper. Kraft paper grain has characteristics similar to wood grain, and in the same way that a furniture maker needs to understand the properties of the wood he is using, the firework maker must understand the properties of Kraft paper grain so that he can use his Kraft paper to his best advantage. When Kraft paper is manufactured, the individual fibers of the Kraft paper pulp tend to orient themselves in lines or rows. A good way to visualize the structure is to look at or imagine the bamboo place mats or window blinds, in which thin strips of bamboo are laced together with fine string to form a material which can only be rolled up in one direction. It is easy to see that if one tried to roll this mat around a mandrel or tube that there would be only one way in which this could be accomplished without bending or breakin
