when a board has one side that is wider than the other, the wider side is referred to as the face (as opposed to the edge). May also refer to the face that is to be visible in the finished item.
Fence
a flat and straight length of some material, usually wood, steel or aluminium, which provides a reference for tools to work against, or which prevents the work from sliding.
Fiber/fibre
the fine tube-like structure of wood which is hollow and determines the grain direction.
Figure
naturally occurring decorative patterns in wood, usually due to medullary rays.
Firmer
a chisel bevelled on both sides instead of only one.
Fishtail chisel or gouge
a chisel or gouge with a splayed end.
Flat gouge
a gouge with minimal curvature, used for finishing and smoothing.
Flitch
a board in which the round of the trunk is still visible, a rough-cut board.
Flute
a deep channel cut in wood; occasionally denotes the cannel of a gouge.
Foxing
a yellow-brown discoloration of wood due to fungal infection.
Fret saw
a saw with a very fine toothed blade used for delicate cuts in thin material.
Frosting
regular indented patterns created with a special-purpose punch called a froster.
wood from an angiosperm tree, i.e. a tree in the division Magnoliophyta; Despite the name, not necessarily very hard or dense wood (e.g. balsa is a hardwood), although generally harder than softwoods.
Heart shake
a shake radiating out from the heartwood.
Heel
the corner of a chisel, knife, or gouge bevel which meets the back of the blade and polishes the cut.
Hold down or hold fast
a hold-down iron, fitting into a hole in a bench, tightened or loosened by hammer taps.
the concave surface of a gouge; a gouge sharpened on the concave surface.
Interlocked grain
grain which has multiple longitudinal directions in alternating layers, typical of many tropical hardwoods, and very difficult to work and to produce smooth surfaces.
a drawknife with a curved, sometimes completely circular blade; often used for hollowing out objects such as bowls.
Scroll saw
a motorized fretsaw.
Seasoning
reducing the moisture content of wood before working to prevent cracking, splitting, and other damage due to drying.
Shake
a crack or split in wood, caused by damage or drying. Can also mean a split (as opposed to sawn) shingle.
Shoot
planing an edge straight or square. See Shooting board.
Slab-cut
describes a plank with growth rings roughly parallel to the wider face (see picture).
Slip
a shaped stone used for sharpening non-flat blades such as gouges.
Snib
a wooden toggle used to hold the work on a table.
Softwood
wood from a gymnosperm tree, i.e., trees in the divisions Pinophyta and Ginkgophyta; Despite the name, not necessarily very soft or light wood (e.g., douglas-fir is a softwood).
Spalting
a change in the texture, strength and color of wood caused by colonies of fungus growing within the dead wood. Where colonies of fungus meet, fine black lines - often considered a desirable feature, can be seen.
Split
to longitudinally separate wood along grain layers.
Sticking
a moulding that is part of a larger piece of wood such as a frame (as opposed to being applied).
Stile (or sometimes style)
Vertical member of a frame on a door, window or panel.
Sweep
the curvature of a gouge, ranging from flat (little curvature, but not actually flat else it would be a chisel) to deep or quick.
