The compound Dovetail Corner Notching System has been in use in Europe for centuries,
particularly in Sweden, Bob Damstrom's ancestral home. Traditionally cut from squared
logs, it can be worked with all kinds of log systems.
Functionally, Dovetail Corner Notch joinery is superbly suited to house construction.
Each log end is first cut in a shape resembling the tail of a dove, then as the logs
are stacked and fitted, the dovetails securely interlock. The result is both strong,
durable, and presents the eye with an aesthetically pleasing symmetry. Only heartwood
of mature Pondarosa Pine, Western Larch, or Douglas Fir is used to produce our Dovetail
Log Packages.
"This is the epitome of the corner notching art used in many early cabins.
It sheds water and binds logs in both directions. Needs no spiking."
- "Build your own Log Home", Storey Garden Way Publisher
We cut each Dovetail Corner Notch at two compound angles, to effectively lock
the log ends together while ensuring that sloped surfaces repel water infiltration.
This notch is one of the most exacting expressions of a craftman's skill, but the
effort required yields benefits both in structural integrity and decay resistance.
Below are some examples of Damstrom dovetail homes; click on a thumbnail to view more of the house.
