A wedge is a double inclined plane which is sharp at one edge than the other one. Wedges are used to cut materials. A knife, axe, chisel, saw and other cutting tools are examples of wedges.

Consider a wedge used to split a wood (Figure 33 (a)). As the wedge moves down into the wood, the wood
splits horizontally a distance equal to the thickness, t, of the wedge as shown in Figure 33 (b). Therefore,

s_L = t

The effort moves down along the length of the wedge.

s_E = L

The velocity ratio of the wedge is then,