dpaquin9000

Of course you square logs with a broad axe; adzes are only for dressing the finished product where "purty" was required.

I've used an adz to clean up old barn wood found in a flood pile to build a chest out of for my smithing tools, (mastermyre of course), and I can truthfully say that as a traditional wood worker I'm not a bad blacksmith!


As late as the US civil war; steel could cost up to 5 times the cost of wrought iron and so it was cherished and used sparingly. I have several hammers on my rack that are WI with steeled faces, steeled woodworking chisels, etc and yes they all get used!

We are truly gifted to be working around such a massive mound of good steel scrap that we don't even stop to think most times about the metal we're going to use on a project!

I think you`ll also find that research will show that there is a very wide variety of seemingly simple tools like an axe or an adze to choose from.
A felling axe is a completely different animal from a hewing axe.Likewise a railroad adze is a far cry from a shipwright`s lipped adze.A good example in hammers would be the difference between a framing hammer(carpenter) and a chasing hammer(silversmith).The handle for an axe or especially an adze must be fit to the person wielding it for it to work properly.If you don`t know how to properly "hang" one of these then you need to find that info.
Depending on the type of work being done these 2 tools(axe and adze) are for roughing and there are many follow on tools that you would want to consider.
BTW-You will want to get some qualified and in depth instruction before you start swinging a razor sharp adze.There`s a reason some of the old timers called them "shin hoes".

Thank you all. Very helpful. Sounds like your saying 100 years or newer is going to be steel or at least steel edged. Either would work for me. I like the idea that the weaker tools have been broken over the years leaving the stronger stuff to survive.

Hi,
I've recently started teaching myself axe sharpening and once decent at it I'd like to invest in a good broad axe and adze. In looking on ebay most axe and adze heads are listed as 'vintage' or antique. I plan to hew timber not hang it on the mantle. I'm concerned that I'll accidentally buying an iron piece and not steel. I'm a a < newb here but im assuming I don't want iron for everyday use. How can I tell if a head is steel?

Thanks,
Dan