posted 9 years ago
I highly suggest an old axe like say a Wedgeway or other high quality antique, I'll put a picture up of my backup Wedgeway, you can get them on eBay fairly often, just try to get a clean one that doesn't look like it was buried for years! Get one without a handle as the handle is junk and just costs more shipping, or ask them to cut the handle off. I got mine for $63 and my backup for 54 I think, I keep backups of old tools, because I am a tool addict and I don't want to not have one when I need it.
If new is the only option, Gransfors Bruks is the best out there, and biber Classic is right up there, traditional woodworker sells biber.
I quit the stone a while back and use a diamond stone instead, it moves the metal faster and stays flat so no lapping required. Still takes time.....
I move logs with a tractor to a staging area, then by can't hook from there, I peel as I roll the final feet to the supports, that way I roll the log less times.
Go to a v notch instead of scoring chops, this will reduce time, but hewing isn't the fastest way to arrive at a beam, it does take time, and a youthful back!
I use old axes and new, and different shaped ones, because they all do something good but not everything, I have some that like knotty wild grain, some that are trouble all day in that same log, but are sweet fir straight grain clear logs.
So here is a picture of my backup crew and my new framing slick, this is an old Wedgeway broad axe, and a plumb brand shipwrights adz both were eBay cheap buys just wait till one is going cheap and grab it. The slick I made...
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