snape

To snape is to cut an angled bevel on the end of a timber so it sits flush against an inclined or sloped surface. The cut creates a tapered edge that matches the angle of whatever it meets, whether that is a roof slope, a raking wall, or another structural member. This is fundamental carpentry work that ensures tight joints and prevents gaps that would compromise both appearance and weather resistance.

The snape can be a simple single bevel cut square across the timber's width, or more complex where the angle varies along the length of the piece. For rafters meeting a sloped roof plate, or wall plates meeting an angled foundation, the snape is often cut at 45 degrees or whatever angle the geometry demands. Hand tools like chisels and planes were traditionally used; modern shops typically use a table saw or miter saw with the blade tilted to the required angle.

Getting the snape angle right is critical. If the angle is even a few degrees off, the timber will not seat properly and will rock or leave a visible gap. On large timbers, particularly in timber frame construction, a poor snape means either shimming (which is poor practice structurally) or removing and re-cutting the piece. The snape must also be cut cleanly without splintering the arrises that will be visible once the joint is assembled.

Snaping is distinct from notching, which removes material from the face or edge of a timber to accommodate another member passing over or through it. A snape is purely an end bevel. The term appears in historical carpentry manuals and remains in regular use in traditional and heavy timber construction, though it has become less common in modern light-frame building where prefabricated and engineered connections have reduced the need for site-fit timber work.