Anthony San Miguel Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 I was walking out of my favorite antique store yesterday during my lunch hour when a sign caught my eye. It said "Dollar Days, today and tomorrow. Everything marked $10 and under is $1." So I made a u turn and ended up walking out with a box of goodies. Among the things that I had to have was this. I don't know what it is but for $1 I had to have it. It looks like it was forged by a blacksmith to me. Does anybody know what it is? Agricultural tool, maybe? It's 1/2" thick at the spine and kind of heavy. I don't know if it's one of those old tools where it would be a shame to use for tooling stock and maybe I should just put a handle on it and let it be whatever it was made to be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave51B Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 Looks like a froe to me........ Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony San Miguel Posted September 2, 2015 Author Share Posted September 2, 2015 Thanks! I just looked up froe and I see what you mean. Cool. So you put the handle "upside down" and split logs with it. That's what I'm going to do with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlotte Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 Definitely a Froe. Used to split shakes for siding or roof or split off slabs for plank stock. Use involves driving into the end grade of a log or short section, The stout handle was used to pry off sections by splitting. Drive lever, drive lever etc used for THIN splits Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles R. Stevens Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 Not just thin splits, but for making billets for tool handles and bow staves as well. Exelent for making kidling with out choping fingers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Latticino Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 Saw Tom Latine forge one up quickly in a recent class at Touchstone and then use it to split down a number of hammer handles from log stock. Worked extremely well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlotte Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 Been told that froe was the best use for broken leaf springs btw. < By thin I intended to suggest that something less than 12 diameter elm split down the center> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony San Miguel Posted September 2, 2015 Author Share Posted September 2, 2015 Thanks for the replies. I use anthracite in my forge and have always found it a lot easier to start a small wood fire first. After I put a handle on it my new froe will be put to use every time I light my forge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles R. Stevens Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 Sepose for the thick splits a peice of 3/4" 3' long and peve handle? Lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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