Cleaving break or brake?

[SeanHellman]

Its all in the subject line which spelling is it? I have seen both used in books on greenwood crafts.

I would be interested in knowing a bit more about the word, through some discussions with people I am coming down on the side of brake

[monkeeboy]

It's brake, as in to stop.
Because it stops or holds the splitting.

[SeanHellman]

Thanks Monkeeboy, from other sources and people that seems to be the accepted spelling. Got to check these things out. Seen a lot of breaks in various books.

[Paul Thornton 2sheds]

it seems most things used for holding wood are called "dogs" or have an equine suggestion, "horse", "mule" etc, why not this device?