Uploaded April 2017 | Updated September 2026, 3 days ago
In the same spirit as hand hewing and log building, I am very interested in axes as a tool for joinery in timberframing and homestead construction. I’ve admired the abilities of craftsman like Olof Anderson and onsek and others in YT videos demonstrating the mastery of axe use in carpentry and joinery.
A basic technique used is the creation of square faces on the endgrain surfaces of timbers using an axe. It turns out to be a simple looking process, which is very difficult to execute properly. This video is a record of my early practice attempts on a white ash log.
The basic process is more or less identical to a standard bucking cut, but the side that is to become a square end face must be cut straight and perpendicular to the direction of the grain. The other side of the cut is a slanted cut for the removal of the chips and unwanted material.
With all techniques using an axe, the process of mastering a technique is based on practice and repetition. The key to a straight and square face is developing accuracy and control, so you are hitting the face cut at the proper angle in the same line for the entirety of the cut. This is very difficult, and you can see many places on this log where a misplaced cut distorts the line of the face.
Additionally, chopping directly into side grain for the face cut is very jarring. A comfortable handle with adequate flexibility is important to avoid handle shock from ruining your day with pain.
Some great videos showing this technique by masters are as follows.
Watch Olof Andersson make a perfect square end for this timber.
youtube.com/watch?v=U8DD5NQ1L7c&t=22&feature=iv&src_vid=Vk17jbOBqwk&annotation_id=video%3Ab17240e3-1cdd-4e6b-8f90-6cf156e426d9
Watch onsek make a house frame with basically just an axe.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9-tyNmzH-k&t=112s
In the same spirit as hand hewing and log building, I am very interested in axes as a tool for joinery in timberframing and homestead construction. I’ve admired the abilities of craftsman like Olof Anderson and onsek and others in YT videos demonstrating the mastery of axe use in carpentry and joinery.
A basic technique used is the creation of square faces on the endgrain surfaces of timbers using an axe. It turns out to be a simple looking process, which is very difficult to execute properly. This video is a record of my early practice attempts on a white ash log.
The basic process is more or less identical to a standard bucking cut, but the side that is to become a square end face must be cut straight and perpendicular to the direction of the grain. The other side of the cut is a slanted cut for the removal of the chips and unwanted material.
With all techniques using an axe, the process of mastering a technique is based on practice and repetition. The key to a straight and square face is developing accuracy and control, so you are hitting the face cut at the proper angle in the same line for the entirety of the cut. This is very difficult, and you can see many places on this log where a misplaced cut distorts the line of the face.
Additionally, chopping directly into side grain for the face cut is very jarring. A comfortable handle with adequate flexibility is important to avoid handle shock from ruining your day with pain.
Some great videos showing this technique by masters are as follows.
Watch Olof Andersson make a perfect square end for this timber.
youtube.com/watch?v=U8DD5NQ1L7c&t=22&feature=iv&src_vid=Vk17jbOBqwk&annotation_id=video%3Ab17240e3-1cdd-4e6b-8f90-6cf156e426d9
Watch onsek make a house frame with basically just an axe.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9-tyNmzH-k&t=112s
