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Paul Schurch’s marquetry method turns cut veneer into a single decorative skin that is then attached to a furniture surface. In WOOD Magazine’s 2021 profile, he describes combining three approaches—packet cutting, contour cutting and knife cutting—to build that skin, check it for gaps and press it onto a finished piece. The distinction matters: marquetry assembles the motif and background together; inlay places contrasting material into a recess cut into the wood.
Marquetry and inlay are different techniques
Schurch explained the difference this way: “Marquetry, as I learned it, is working veneer for the background and the design, called the motif, at the same time to create one ‘skin’ that will be glued to the solid wood.” By contrast, he said, “Inlay is routing or cutting out a recess in wood to accept either a contrasting wood, bone, shell, or stone.” Both can create decorative contrast, but the material is assembled differently.
That distinction shapes the process: Schurch builds a veneer composition as a complete skin before attaching it, rather than cutting a pocket in the furniture surface to receive the motif.
How Schurch’s three cutting methods work
The profile calls Schurch’s approach “Old World marquetry” and describes three techniques. Each addresses a different cutting need; the reported blade and layer counts are his practices, not universal requirements.
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Packet cutting: repeat cuts through a stack
For packet cutting, veneer sheets are stacked and cut together on a scroll saw. The resulting pieces can be rearranged like a jigsaw to form the design. WOOD Magazine reported that Schurch stacked as many as 16 veneer layers, usually 14, and used a #000 blade with about 60 teeth per inch. That setup lets one cut produce corresponding pieces across the stacked sheets.
Contour cutting: precise cuts for individual parts
When only a few motif parts need a particular shape, Schurch cuts their outlines individually rather than adding a full sheet to a packet. The profile says contour cutting takes greater precision than packet cutting. It is useful when the number of matching pieces does not justify cutting through a stack.
Knife cutting: fitting larger background pieces
For larger veneer sections, such as parts of the background, Schurch uses knife cutting. The profile describes scoring and cutting through the veneer with a sharp chisel, using the veneer itself as a guide for the fit. This complements the scroll-saw methods: the saw handles stacked or outlined motif shapes, while the knife helps fit broader pieces.
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Assembling and checking the veneer skin
After cutting, Schurch assembles the motif pieces with the knife-cut background into a complete skin. He holds it together with thin veneer tape on the face side. The tape’s water-soluble adhesive can be removed after the skin is glued down; the article says Schurch sands it away to avoid raising the grain.
Before attachment, he checks the assembled skin against a window. Light passing through saw kerfs makes small gaps and chips visible. For small chips, the profile says he applies a paste of dark wood dust and hide glue after gluing. He uses thinned shellac as a sealer to protect surrounding areas from the paste.
Pressing the skin onto furniture
WOOD Magazine describes Schurch choosing a press to suit the workpiece:
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- Easy-to-use veneer cutter
- Cuts a perfect edge for joining veneer
- Designed for use on the pull stroke
- Curved blade allows you to start in the middle of the material
- Cut a single sheet for fine work or cut several sheets at a time for a rough cut
- Smaller tabletops and cabinet doors: hot pressing.
- Curved or round projects: vacuum pressing.
- Large pieces: larger veneer presses.
Schurch says he uses hide glue because it holds firmly and can be repaired with heat. This is an account of his process in the profile, not a general recommendation for choosing glue or pressing equipment.
Finishes and examples from Schurch’s work
The article says many of Schurch’s pieces receive two sprayed coats of conversion varnish; it also mentions tung oil, varnish and wax. For marquetry tops and panels, he says he favors French polishing: applying thin layers of shellac with a linen pad. These are reported preferences, not universal finishing instructions.
One example, a small table named “Rosie,” measured 24½ inches tall, with a 24½-inch-diameter top. WOOD Magazine reported that its motif used more than 600 wood pieces and that the table sold for $10,000. Those figures describe the named table in the 2021 article; the reported sale is not a current price guide or market valuation. The profile also describes a display cabinet with revolving doors and a ribbon high cabinet, including woods used in those pieces.
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- These veneers are all produced and processed in the USA! The veneers range in size from approximately 5” to 7.5” wide and each are approximately 8” tall. Each pack has 15 total square feet of assorted veneers that can be used for woodworking, arts, crafts, furniture accents, repair or restoration work, cabinets, boxes, doors, drawers, inlays, marquetry and a whole lot more!
- The veneers included in this pack are raw wood, which means there is no adhesive or paper backing on the veneer sheets. You must have or provide your own preferred adhesive in order to properly place and secure the veneer to your desired surface.
- Veneer sheet quantity, size, wood type, grain and overall appearance will vary from pack to pack. No two variety packs are the same. Please keep in mind that the variety pack you receive may or may not include the exact colors, wood types, size and grain patterns shown in the images on this listing.
The article separately discusses pietra dure, or stone inlay, which Schurch studied with an Italian master. It is a distinct stone-inlay practice, not another name for his veneer marquetry method.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Who Paul Schurch is, according to the profile
WOOD Magazine’s historical account traces Schurch’s craft through several trades and countries. It says he apprenticed in piano building and then church-organ building in Switzerland, where he learned cabinetmaking and worked with varied materials. After returning to Southern California, he studied boatbuilding in England; he said learning to fair curves influenced his furniture design. A marquetry commission then led him to seek instruction from an Italian master, whom he visited repeatedly to learn production methods and more intricate work.
The profile describes his Santa Barbara shop, Schurch Woodwork, and says he accepted apprentices. At the time of publication, it identified him as a visiting instructor at Marc Adams School of Woodworking and a demonstrator at selected woodworking shows. Those are article-era details, not confirmation of his current activities.
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- Generous Coverage: OVER 18 square feet of veneer with 65 pieces measuring 5" x 8" each, featuring many exotics and deeply figured pieces with variety in packs always changing
- Premium Wood Selection: Includes exotic and domestic wood types such as Zebrawood, Birdseye Maple, Figured Walnut, Teak, African Khaya, Mahogany, Cherry, and many other high-quality varieties
- Industry Standard Thickness: Each veneer piece is precisely cut to 1/42" thickness, which is thinner than a dime, making it suitable for detailed marquetry and inlay work
- Pure Wood Construction: Made from 100% pure wood with no paperback backing, ensuring authentic wood characteristics and natural beauty in every piece
- Versatile Assortment: Contains a beautiful mix of figured, spalted, dyed, and natural wood veneers including Flame Birch, Ambrosia Maple, Ribbon Stripe Sapele, and Smoked Eucalyptus for diverse woodworking projects
Schurch also expressed a commitment to sharing his craft: “I feel that I have a commitment to pass on what I’ve learned, not hang on to it.”
The practical tool connection: a scroll saw
A scroll saw is the clearest tool connection to Schurch’s process because it is used for packet and contour cutting. The profile reports his particular #000 blade and approximate teeth-per-inch figure, but does not recommend a make or model or establish a current product listing. The useful takeaway is the tool’s role in cutting veneer, not a specific purchase recommendation.
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