Enthralling traditional woodworking

[Froggy]

I'm sure some of you will have seen this video but for those that haven't it's well worth the 25 minute watch,
Enjoy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3J5wkJFJzE

 

[paulm]

Great to watch, thanks.

Very proficient with the different axes, great to see.

Cheers, Paul

 

[Ian down london way]

Rather hypnotic. Although I'd not give my feet much of a half life is I was taking the edges off the logs the way those guys were doing it. If the axe hadn't bit just right, and jumped off .... doesn't bare thinking about really.

 

[AndyT]

Thanks for that. It's always nice to watch people working, especially when they are so skilful. Slightly frustrating that the film showed almost nothing of the (highly accurate) measuring and marking.
I was most impressed that the whole structure got a sort of surface planing with that nice reversible axe.

 

[GLFaria]

Humbling and inspirational. It shows what skilled craftsmen can do with just a few tools expertly used - and a lot of trees, to be sure.

Very interesting the way the plane is used at 9:13

Thanks for sharing

G.

 

[Paul Chapman]

Excellent.

Cheers :ho2

Paul

 

[swb58]

The old axe is a handy tool (in the right hands), especially if it's a reversible one

 

[Harbo]

They make it look so easy?

Rod

 

[cedarwood]

Dunno bout the axes that was one big mallet he was swinging. (hammer) New fangled ways of house building are not always the best, there's a lot to be learnt from traditional methods.

 

[IHc1vtr+]

This one's better, i think there's power tools in it somewhere.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8f55KOkhm9E

 

[Mike.S]

This one's better, i think there's power tools in it somewhere.

[-X

 

[heimlaga]

I have shifted out quite a few rotten logs in old buildings of that type. Never built an entirely new one though. I think I could do everything that those guys do though they clearly are more skilled at it than I am so they work more effficiently.

I have hewn quite a few logs that way. Standing astride working with a long handled thick edged double bevel broad axe. Their broad axe is a south Finnish model a bit different than mine but the method is the same.
At first it looks dangerous and at first it may be a bit dangerous indeed for a beginner but after a bit of training you learn to utilize the weight of the heavy axe head do the job. When using less muscle power the axe becomes much easier to steer and stop at will.
Having the correct amount of convexity on the grinding bevels is very important. Too little and the axe will be difficult to control and the edge will dig into the wood and leave a splintery surface. Too much convexity and the axe will not cut into the wood but bounce or cut it's way out and become very dangerous. The shape has to be just right.
The layer of chips on the ground below is the most important safety factor. If there are enough chips on the ground you loose the instinct to always keep the edge away from the ground not to dull it. My experience is that the greatest risk for your feet is when you have missed a blow and instinctively try to not damage the edge against the ground.
Every trade has it's tricks......