The Tusk Tenon in timber framing
The tusk tenon is a useful joint to choose when you need to connect horizontal timbers (such as in a floor layout) without weakening either beam too much. The tenon extends from some point up from the bottom surface, usually at the central or neutral axis of the beam into which it will locate.
Tusk tenon in the workshop
This is all about preserving continuous beam fibres at the top and bottom of the morticed beam.
What does “continuous beam fibres” mean? It means your house won’t fall down!
The upper shoulder is cut at an angle to increase the strength or “shearing” area of the tenon, along with a “step” below the tenon for the same reason.
Tusk tenon
The great thing is that once the joint is assembled you’ve no idea it’s there!