What does "kerf" refer to in woodworking?

In woodworking, "kerf" specifically refers to the width of the cut made by a saw blade. When a saw makes a cut through material, it removes material from the workpiece, and the width of that cut is termed the kerf. This measurement is crucial for various aspects of woodworking, such as ensuring precise joint fitment or aligning pieces for assembly.

Understanding kerf is vital because it influences how materials are measured and cut. If a woodworker does not account for the kerf, they may end up with pieces that do not fit together as intended. This is especially important in tasks such as cutting joints, where precision is essential to achieving strong, seamless connections between components.

The other choices pertain to different aspects of cutting but do not accurately define "kerf." For instance, the depth of the cut, the type of blade, and the angle of a saw cut are related but distinct concepts that do not encapsulate what kerf specifically denotes in the context of woodworking.