A mortise is a socket
which lets-in a peg
called a tenon.
They can be round,
but are typically
square.
mortise & tenon page:
Precise fitting is key to a
successful joint.
I sneak up on a snug fit
by licking off 1/1000 of
an inch at a time
and then test fitting.
The ideal fit takes slight
effort to close the joint,
and will not fall out
when inverted.
It demands much time
and patience to create
proper traditional
mortise & tenon joints!
It is extremely
demanding to poke the
tenons all the way
through thick oak.
There is nowhere to hide
with through tenons!
Any gaps would be
conspicuous.

The king of wood joints
is a proud
craftsmanship showcase!
The king of wood joints