shogsten

I work with greenwood a fair amount my primary interest is woodturning. I would strongly recommend quarter sawing the tree as soon as possible after dropping it. If it's a big tree find someone with a portable mill the cost usually isn't to bad. If it's a smaller tree quarter saw with a chainsaw/bandsaw. DON"T leave the log in the round it will split and crack. To prevent cracking you need to cut the log through the pith there shouldn't be any whole growth rings left. Seal the ends of the boards with either end gran sealer or paint. Find a good place to stack and sticker the the wood and let it set for 1-2 years. For hammers you could rip some boards a little larger than needed and they would dry a little faster. The general rule of thumb for green wood is 1 inch per year plus a year to dry.

Someone commented on the old steels being better. In some cases yes they were. But a lot of woodworkers are replacing destroyed/worn out/rusted steel in the old tools. For example the good steel on a lot of old planes was never very thick to begin with and it only takes an idiot with a grinder a few seconds to destroy the good steel. Either they grind the steel off or they grind it so hot it takes the temper out of the steel. Scott

Thomas still turning wood, those tools have been re-bent multiple times. Made another set where I only flattened the bar and just drew out the tip. Been hanging out with Adlai and working on forge version 2. Scott