Using a Froe

I used my new froe to split some willow branches into strips that I will using in a project I have going on at the moment. The willow branches were quite thin and had some awkward knots which meant they do not split straight all the way down, this is not to much of a problem because I have cut them thicker than needed so I can correct the shape with a draw knife or spoke shave later.

Here are some photos of how a froe is used...

An Unusual Tool

I was lucky today to meet up with a blacksmith I know who makes tools from the Roman and Medieval periods, many cases the tool hasn't changed since the Roman or Medieval periods because they work so well. He makes tools by hand with hammer and tongs and also makes the ash handles himself. Today he had a tool I was thinking of trying to find just last week as we were taking good sized straight lengths of branch out of the hedge, he had a froe.