Z joint

[DC]

 In a "Z" splice the center face usually follows the grain. Would it compromise it much to have it at a slight angle to the grain? I could avoid two heat bends if I could misalign the "Z" joint by 1/16-1/8". This would be a 4" joint.

[Pat B]

In a rigid handle it shouldn't matter

[Dances with squirrels]

It makes absolutely no difference whatsoever whether that middle cut follows the grain. In fact, you could make a V splice, W splice, S splice, or whatever shape you want.

[Springbuck]

It makes absolutely no difference whatsoever whether that middle cut follows the grain. In fact, you could make a V splice, W splice, S splice, or whatever shape you want.

100 percent rue as long as you are making a stiff handle.  It's about 99.5 % true if the handle bends. Splicing any raw stave?billets will likely require this, due to small differences in crown diameter, waves and bumps, etc...Whenever a splice fails on me it's because it was a lousy splice.

[DC]

It makes absolutely no difference whatsoever whether that middle cut follows the grain. In fact, you could make a V splice, W splice, S splice, or whatever shape you want.

Thank you. Mentioning the "W" splice just opened my eyes.