How strong is a kerf joint?

If it were mine, I'd brace it right across, or at least use some sturdy cleats.

 

What is a kerf joint?

 

A joint with kerf in it?

Is that the what the kids are calling it these days?

 

Looks to me like it's sawn halfway through, bent, and glued.

 

A kerf is a saw cut. I think what Arnold is questioning is whether it's actually a "joint".

When i do a back bend like that, I re-cut the kerf with a back-saw once the plate is bent; this makes the edges of the cut parallel, then I fill the kerf with a strip of wood, a bit like inlaying purfling. Plane flush and brace or cleat. My cornerless bass is done this way and I'm not sure whether it needs to be braced. I am thinking of light bracing "just in case".

But if the bend is actually two separate bits of wood cut on a slant and glued together, that's a joint, but a scarf, not a kerf, and would need reinforcement.

 

Youll know after you smoke it!

 

Hey maaan, that's some gooood kerf!

 

Would it be a scarf a kerf or a butt...

 

was it a struggle to close the hinge? did you hear or feel noticeable protest from the wood..am i wrong in suggesting not doing a thing with bracing untill your fitment is correct w/ top & sides..and that being the case maybe brace at the bouts and one over the center joint...i have faith in NY cherry.

 

or a smerf or a barf or a kutt ...

 

Seeing as how that 'joint' is all end-grain, I'd be doing something to help keep it together.

Maybe a series of little angled cleats?

 

No don't do that, glue's not a good filler. I suggest you do what I said before - cut through the kerf again gently with a panel saw just enough to clear out the glue. you can clean out the channel with your purfling pick. Then make a thin strip of wood to fit nice and snugly and glue it in place. That way you have full thickness backing for the thin bend, but retain the integrity of the long grain fibres (what's left of them).

Or just glue a brace along the bend.