Truly Impressive Skills with Trad Axes

[TarryJack]

I came across this film on Youtube, and was so impressed with the speed and accuracy with which the Finnish carpenters use their axes - particularly the broad axe and side axe - in building a log house in the traditional manner.

Hope you enjoy it as much as I did,
Jack

 

[Robbi]

cracking video, thanks for posting.

 

[TarryJack]

cracking video, thanks for posting.

You're very welcome, mate!

 

[TLM]

There is a special category of carpentry for log builders, direct translation would be "axe man" but the meaning is log builder. The way they use the broad axe in this video is optional there is another way maybe more often used especially at later times.

 

[TarryJack]

And here's another one, of a dug-out canoe being built in Latvia. The way they shape the hull initially, so as to be able to stretch it later to give them a canoe much wider than the diameter of the original tree; the use of the coloured dowels to tell them when they've got the hull thickness down to the optimum, without risking making any spots too thin or (even worse) cutting through the hull; and the simple technique for steaming the entire hull using no more than a long fire and a pond - I've watched this one several times, and it never palls.

 

[TLM]

Here is another one of nearly same type Haapio slightly older and when the type was still in limited use. I think there are courses for making one in Finland and Esthonia at least. The type of boat was quite wide spread at older times.

 

[baggins]

Well, that puts my meagre skills to shame. So good to watch true craftsmen at work. I do hope these skills aren't being lost with the advent of modern machinary.

 

[Potatohead]

The log house video was fascinating and i actually found it quite theraputic to watch.

Few handy flooring techniques i might have to use on my next wooden flooring attempt