Ultimate Froe.

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Robson Valley

Full Member
Nov 24, 2014
9,959
2,664
McBride, BC
Maybe it won't matter too much for you.

For poles of all kinds (story, mortuary, totem), you need to know which end was "up" in the log.
To avoid run-outs with long splits, you break from top down, those layers go inside the newer ones.
Even to carve detail in a little split post cedar pole of 64", marking which end was "up" helps a lot.

For big log poles, you need to know which was the north side (fewer branches & knots).
 
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Broch

Life Member
Jan 18, 2009
7,981
7,757
Mid Wales
www.mont-hmg.co.uk
I understood you.;)

I've got plenty of 25 year old ash thinnings to practice on and thinking what else I can use if for apart from logs. I've also found the wood on some trees can be twisted or just very hard to split due to the way it's grown.

I have some decent sized cypress-type trees that might make usable shingles, so a decent sized froe will be useful.

I will keep plenty of ash for tool handles etc, in a few years it might be hard to come by.

Careful, Wayne will be after you for his bow making courses ;)
 

Broch

Life Member
Jan 18, 2009
7,981
7,757
Mid Wales
www.mont-hmg.co.uk
Maybe it won't matter too much for you.

For poles of all kinds (story, mortuary, totem), you need to know which end was "up" in the log.
To avoid run-outs with long splits, you break from top down, those layers go inside the newer ones.
Even to carve detail in a little split post cedar pole of 64", marking which end was "up" helps a lot.

For big log poles, you need to know which was the north side (fewer branches & knots).

Ah, I may have been doing it all wrong :)
Thin end to thick end, yes?
 

Dave Budd

Gold Trader
Staff member
Jan 8, 2006
2,894
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44
Dartmoor (Devon)
www.davebudd.com
Here you go, the standard froes that I try and keep in stock :) I've made smaller ones and thicker ones, recently I even made a curved one for a customer! The larger froe has an edge of approximately 11" (2" wide and 10mm thick), the smaller 7" and 6mm thick. I don't often sell them with handles, so I had to whip a couple up for the picture
froes standard by buddknives, on Flickr
 

Robson Valley

Full Member
Nov 24, 2014
9,959
2,664
McBride, BC
Is the radius on the 7" edge enough to stop first-strike bounce?
Either size, they would be a lot of fun and satisfaction to use. I can hear the wood now.
Shame. Shipping to BC would drain me.
 

Dave Budd

Gold Trader
Staff member
Jan 8, 2006
2,894
321
44
Dartmoor (Devon)
www.davebudd.com
that rather depends on the wood ;) I would think on anything but the densest woods it should be, but then I do tend to properly **** (technical term) things when I need them to bite straight away! I don't make to set patterns, so some in the batch may be more curved than that and others maybe a little less. I posted something of a similar weight to BC a little while ago and it was about £12 insured
 

slowworm

Full Member
May 8, 2008
1,980
933
Devon

Just to say thanks for this link. I've ordered one and it's turned up promptly.

Now down to use, I understand they are a splitting tool rather than cutting. Is it just a case of placing the froe edge where you want to split the log and bashing the spine of the froe with a big wooden mallet?
 

Detritus

Member
Sep 17, 2023
12
4
47
Winchester, UK
Hi,

Super old thread I know - I’ve been searching for a good Froe to use when splitting wood to create carving blanks (for spoons, bowls etc.). I’ve seen the Gransfors Bruks Froe, and the far less expensive Ray Iles premium Froe - but I’d rather support a craftsman than get something mass produced. @Dave Budd are you still making Froes? I had a look but can’t see anything on your website. I’m looking for something to split Apple, Birch, Ash up to 8 or 10”.
 

chas brookes

Life Member
Jun 20, 2006
1,311
143
west sussex
Hi,

Super old thread I know - I’ve been searching for a good Froe to use when splitting wood to create carving blanks (for spoons, bowls etc.). I’ve seen the Gransfors Bruks Froe, and the far less expensive Ray Iles premium Froe - but I’d rather support a craftsman than get something mass produced. @Dave Budd are you still making Froes? I had a look but can’t see anything on your website. I’m looking for something to split Apple, Birch, Ash up to 8 or 10”.
this link might help
 
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