During China’s more ancient times, fastening beams and lumber together with wood nails was commonplace. These wooden pins were often employed for a variety of tasks, ranging from constructing homes to piecing together coffins. Despite modern-day construction now predominantly utilizing metal nails, in some cases these wooden nails keep holding their traditional places.
A wide array of hardwood varieties such as oak, walnut, and rosewood serve as the foundation for the production of wooden nails. These nails differ in the size and form of their head – which can be either round or flat – and its shaft which artfully tapers down to a point.
Wood nails are crafted by cutting a wooden plank into the desired size and form. Subsequently, the end of the timber is speared in two and a sheath is cut into both pieces. Finally, the sections are wed back together with an iron pin to fix them in their place.
A metal tool is then used to shape the head of the nail, tapering the shaft manually or with a lathe. It is then honed by sharpening the point of the nail with a file.
Wooden nails have an age-old presence in traditional crafts. Often seen securing the boards of a coffin, these nails are also used to construct temples and shrines, lending a handmade touch to the most meaningful of moments. Moreover, wooden nails have a marvellous ability to lend an air of authenticity and antiquity to traditional Chinese furniture such as chairs and tables.
Wooden nails have become an aesthetically pleasing addition to many woodworking projects, as well as a reliable solution for keeping intricate wooden jigsaw puzzles together.
Reminiscent of a time when handmade items were the norm, Chinese culture still cherishes the wooden nail. Despite the fact that it is no longer as widely-utilised as it used to be, these ingeniously purposeful fasteners remain a lodestar of dexterity and craft.