Riving involves driving a wedge or froe into a log to split the wood along its natural fibers, rather than sawing through them. Because the split follows the grain exactly, the resulting boards or billets are exceptionally strong and resistant to seasonal wood movement. Woodworkers use this technique to prepare stock for chair legs, tool handles, and traditional clapboards.
Heard on the job
I need to rive a few more ash billets for these Windsor chair spindles before they dry out.
Insider tip
Riving works best on green wood straight from the log, as dry wood is harder to split predictably.
Also heard as
- cleave
- split