Timmerbijlen

Timmerbijlen, or carpenter's axes, are woodworking hand tools used by carpenters for shaping, trimming, and fitting timber in traditional carpentry and timber framing. The tool consists of a steel head with a sharp cutting edge and often a blunt poll, mounted on a wooden handle. The blade is typically broad and relatively short, designed for controlled cuts and to leave flat, clean surfaces.

Design variations exist to suit different tasks. The head is usually forged steel and may include a hammer-like poll on the rear for driving pegs or tapping pieces into place. Handles are commonly made from hardwood such as ash and sized to balance leverage and control. In some regional variants the blade shape or bevel angle is optimized for mortises, tenons, or joint finishing.

Maintenance involves regular sharpening with a file or honing stone, keeping the edge true and the head corrosion-free. The head and tang should be kept dry and oiled; the handle inspected for cracks and replaced if necessary. Timmerbijlen are typically used with one or two hands, depending on size and task.

Today timmerbijlen remain in use by traditional woodworkers, restoration specialists, and hobbyists. They are valued for control, feel, and the ability to operate in tight spaces, and are produced in a range of sizes to cover common carpentry tasks.