Well the walnut is cut off the edge of a board I believe to be plain sawn. If I stand it on end, looking down on the nock, the grain would look similar to this [////] with little run off but for the most part straight. Back is the left parenthese, belly is the right one. I have trapped the back an eighth on each side. The maple has fairly straight grain down the edge, but v's down the back. Paper is a good idea, and cheap. I like it.