The purfling or inlay which is traditionally incrusted into the edge of violins and various other stringed instruments has a twofold function. Most importantly perhaps, it protects the thin, fragile edges from continual wear through years of constant use and damage. Because it is inlayed to approximately half the thickness (thicknessing) of the edge it prevents the further continuation of cracks that often begin at the vulnerable end grain of the plates and tends to hinder the process of edge wear due to contact with the fingers and hands of the player.