A nail of "I" section having a flat web the flanges along the opposite sides of the web of the section extending in the lengthwise direction of the nail, the web having a gap of V form extending inwardly of the web from the leading end of the nail the edges of the gap diverging from the inner end thereof so as to provide a pointed end at each side of the web at said leading end of the nail. The edges of the gap can each be formed as a knife edge to facilitate penetration of the nail.
A structural joint for bearing a structural load is formed by a pair of wooden members fastened together by at least one metal connector plate. The connector plate is formed from a metal plate having a plurality of pairs of teeth punched therefrom. The teeth are punched from the plate so as to project in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plate. Each pair of teeth is struck so as to leave a corresponding longitudinally extending slot between the teeth. Each of the teeth has a knife edge portion that extends from the plate. This knife edge portion is thinner than the remaining portion of each tooth and has a sharp edge with a cross-sectional angle of less than 20.degree., preferably 8.degree. to 12.degree., for facilitating penetration of each of the teeth into the wooden members to be secured together. These knife edge portions of the teeth are made by a metal forming process which serves to shape such portion of the teeth and simultaneously widen and elongate each tooth.
A generally I-shaped, plastic anti-splitting device is provided with projections serving to removably attach the device to a driver, such as a manually operated hammer.
