REDUCTION CUT

A reduction cut is a common cut that reduces the width or thickness of a board over part of its length, but not over the entire length of the board.

Reduction cuts with hand tools are easy to achieve. Lay out the cut with a cutting gauge. Saw kerfs about every 20–30 mm along the intended waste area. Using a mallet and chisel, knock out the waste blocks until they’re slightly proud of the cut line. Using a paring chisel, pare the wood to the final dimension and squareness.