There are 3 primary corners used in the log homes.
1) Saddle notched
2) Butt and pass
3) Dovetail
Other corners exist, but are considered non-traditional
Saddle notched corners seen to be the most structurally stable for log home construction when used in a “stockade corner” application. This corner also if done correct gives you the very best seal in the corners of your home when machined. Most handcrafted saddle notched corners will have gaps that need chinked.
Butt and pass corners are your least stable corners used in the log home industry. Most consumers chose this style for the look not knowing or considering the lack of stability. You have one log pass while the next butts in to it and then is screwed in fastening logs together. This creates a weak corner that works but has its inefficiencies for stability and could promote decay in logs.
The University of Georgia preformed a 2 ½ year study on the butt and pass corner and discovered that rain or snow would sit on the extensions flat surface and even though the logs were stained the water would still get down in to the fibers and decay began.
Dovetail corners give you a nice flat corner and ascetic design. If you look at a dovetail corner you will see that the log is cut down on 2 sides where you have only a couple of inches of log overlapping. When a screw or spick is set through this area is weakens and could possibly weaken the corner.