%crossgrained%

a. 1. Having the grain or fibers run diagonally, or more or less transversely and irregularly, so as to interfere with splitting or planing. [ 1913 Webster ]

If the stuff proves crossgrained, . . . then you must turn your stuff to plane it the contrary way. Moxon. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Perverse; untractable; contrary; difficult to deal with.
Syn. -- balky, contrarious. [ 1913 Webster + WordNet 1.5 ]

She was none of your crossgrained, termagant, scolding jades. Arbuthnot. [ 1913 Webster ]