Ray Iles premium froe - first use and thoughts

[Hammock Hamster]

Evening all,

I have been after a froe for a while now and after some good advice from this parish I decided to go with a ray isles premium froe.

The main reason for the choice over the standard ray Iles froe was that it was called the premium, that must make it better right? , and the price difference was about £3.
My understanding is that on the premium the bevels have been ground more rounded to help the froe pass through the wood.

On opening I was impressed with the look and feel of both froe and handle, the froe being a fair weight and very sturdy feeling.

I only had some pre cut logs to hand and decided to split it straight in half for a bowl blank.
It took a little while to get the froe to bite but I think that was me being a bit of a wuss as the second split I did went straight in.

The first split was fairly clean, I didn't have anything to use as a cleaving brake so couldn't get much purchase to push or pull the handle, but the second got a bit messy.
I was trying for a shingle but again it was difficult to get purchase.

I also split some small 3" rounds which were really easy but I didn't think to take any photos.

Next step will be to get out into the woods and try to split off some sections from a freshly cut tree and see if I can make planks and square off a beam with it.

All in all from a very simple first test I am very impressed and am looking forward to putting it through its paces.

All the best, Hamster

 

[ozzy1977]

Great bit of kit arnt they

 

[crosslandkelly]

Very nice.

 

[Hammock Hamster]

Great bit of kit arnt they

That they are, I was looking at several online and most were selling for £25-45 but mostly from unknown makers so I was quite impressed that this one was only £40 considering how well made it seems.
I have it a fair beating with the mallet and not even a mark after wiping it down.
I'm guessing the painted ones would have a tendency to have the paint worn off so like the plain finish.


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[ozzy1977]

Both of mine came painted and yes its chipping off. I made a sheath for mine and give them a wipe over with an oily rag after use and have used linseed oil on the handles

 

[Hammock Hamster]

Hi all, quick update I had a bit more of a play with the froe today and made a very rough beam.
It was as simple a splitting 4 sides off a log to make a square beam, not done any tidying up to it as I just wanted to test the theory but quite happy with the result!

Next time, when I have the car, I will bring it home and try to square it off properly and see how it turns out once it has seasoned a bit.





All the best, Hamster


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[Macaroon]

Looking good there, Hamster - glad you're happy with it

 

[Toddy]

It's a good tool is a good froe and it's a safe tool to have at camp with unexperienced hands around and sharp axes and the like just a touch too lethal.

Good to hear a recommendation for Ray Iles' one.

cheers,
Toddy

 

[Quixoticgeek]

I had a froe made for me by a friendly blacksmith, it's thinner than yours, and also longer, but it happily goes through 8" lumps of wood with no problem. Paired with some wedges and you're onto a winner. Happy froing...

Julia

 

[Crowe]

I see it has an equal bevel to the edge, are you able to alter the direction of split for example, to split a shingle ?Crowe

 

[Hammock Hamster]

I see it has an equal bevel to the edge, are you able to alter the direction of split for example, to split a shingle ?Crowe

Hi Crowe, if I'm honest I have only used it half a dozen times with varying results. I have split off some shakes which were fairly even but by the time I had started the split it was almost 3/4 of the way through.

When I split the sides off the beam I could alter the direction to a degree if the split was getting too deep or narrow.

Hamster