Resaw

Resawing slices a thick board into two or more thinner slabs, cutting along its width and length rather than crosscutting or ripping to change its footprint. A band saw with real resaw height -- the thickest board it can stand on edge and slice through, and the spec that matters most for this job -- is the standard tool, since its thin, continuous blade wastes far less material to kerf than a table saw blade would across a deep cut. Resawing is how bookmatched panels (two consecutive slices opened like a book, mirroring the grain) and shop-made veneer both get made.