Handhewing

Handhewing is a traditional woodworking technique used to shape logs and timbers using an axe or adze. This method was historically essential for building structures, creating furniture, and crafting tools before the advent of modern machinery. The process involves a skilled woodworker striking the timber with a sharp cutting tool, carefully removing material to achieve the desired shape and dimension. This requires significant strength, precision, and an understanding of wood grain.

The primary tools for handhewing are the broadaxe and the hewing adze. The broadaxe is characterized by its wide, flat blade, designed for slicing across the grain or at an angle to remove large chips of wood. The hewing adze, on the other hand, has a curved blade set perpendicular to the handle, used for paring away wood and smoothing surfaces, often in a rocking motion. The skill of the handhewer lies in their ability to control the depth and angle of each cut, resulting in relatively flat surfaces and squared edges on timbers that were once round logs.

Handhewn timbers are often identifiable by the characteristic faceted surfaces left by the axe or adze. These marks are not considered imperfections but rather attest to the authenticity and craftsmanship of the piece. While the process is labor-intensive and time-consuming, it produces strong, durable timbers that were the backbone of early construction. Today, handhewing is practiced by a smaller number of artisans and restorers, preserving a valuable heritage skill.