välikättä

Välikättä is a Finnish term that translates literally to "between hand" or "middle hand." It most commonly refers to a specific type of woodworking joint used to connect two pieces of wood end-to-end. The välikättä joint is characterized by a central piece or block of wood that is attached to the ends of the two main pieces being joined. This middle piece acts as a reinforcing element, providing additional surface area for glue or fasteners and thus creating a stronger bond than a simple butt joint.

This type of joint is often employed when a longer piece of wood is required than is readily available, or when joining two shorter pieces to create a continuous length. The construction typically involves cutting corresponding notches or tenons on the ends of the main pieces and a mortise or housing in the central välikättä piece to ensure a snug and interlocking fit. While less common in modern furniture construction where advanced joinery techniques are often used, the välikättä remains a practical and robust method, particularly in more traditional or rustic woodworking applications where strength and simplicity are prioritized. It can also be found in certain types of structural timber framing. The term's usage is primarily confined to Finnish woodworking terminology.