What material is used for a splint seat?
Splint is a generic name for a style of seat weaving. Many different materials can be used, but generally they are of a flat or almost flat nature and woven in a twill or over/under pattern. First make sure that your chair has 4 rungs to weave around (you can also weave a rush seat or Shaker Tape seat around 4 rungs). Now decide where the chair or rocker will be used, inside or outside. Outside furniture should have a seat and/or back of 6mm wide binder cane or slab rattan, both are made of the inner bark of the rattan plant, they are strong and the most resistant to mold. Flat oval reed should only be used if the entire chair is to be painted. Reed will mold easily and will not hold up as well. If the chair is for indoor use, a wider variety of materials may be used. Flat and flat oval reed are good to use when you are learning how to weave a splint seat. They are inexpensive and more forgiving than other materials. They are great for Boy Scout projects. However, they are not as stron
