An Ax to Grind: A Practical Ax Manual

Using Axes, continued

Image of securing the chalk line.
Figure 100--Here's a way to secure one end of the
chalk line while you move to the other end.

Next, score the log. To start scoring with your single-bit ax, stand on top of the log. Chop to the depth of the chalk line in the center, or for a large-diameter log, take chops high, low, and in the middle. Do not burst (clear) the chips. Each of these swings is done with the forehand swing only. This process is called slash scoring. It is the most common method of scoring. The slashes are placed 3 to 4 inches apart down the length of the log.

On a large log, scoring is easier using a method called "juggling" (Figure 101). In juggling, you score the log by chopping a series of shallow V-notches to the depth of the chalk line. To do this, stand on top of the log and cut with both the forehand swing and the backhand swing. Then, still working from the top of the log with your single-bit ax, chop parallel to the log with the grain to split off the chips between the V-notches (spaced 10 to 12 inches apart, Figure 102).

Photo of "juggling."
Figure 101--In the scoring technique called juggling, you
cut a shallow V-notch down to the depth of the chalk line.
Slash scoring is a different technique that doesn't
involve cutting a V-notch.

Photo of removing excess wood.
Figure 102--Finish the juggling process by removing
excess wood between V-notches with a single-bit ax.

Hewing with the broad ax is the next step (Figure 103). In a right-handed swing, your left hand should be on the end of the broad ax handle, with your right hand holding the handle near the ax head. Standing on the ground, spread your legs apart so they are out of harm's way, and swing straight down toward the ground. Follow the chalk line, breaking the remaining wood between the scoring slashes, or between the V-notches left from juggling.

After scoring and hewing the first side of the log, move the log dogs one at time so the log does not shift off plumb. The opposite side of the log is then freed up but is still held in a plumb position. Repeat the scoring and hewing process on the opposite side of the log. At this point the log is flat on two sides. Generally only two sides of the log were hewn in cabin building, the exterior and the interior walls. If you want to hew all four sides, you will need to rotate the log 90° and repeat the process on the remaining two sides.

Photo of hewing.
Figure 103--Hew down the chalk line, removing
the excess wood after scoring.

If a chip of wood gets stuck to the ax bit, which often happens while hewing, stop and remove the chip carefully from the ax blade. A chip stuck to the bit of the ax will guarantee a glancing blow when you begin your next cut.

Use an adz to give a more finished appearance to the hewn log. The traditional method of using the adz is to roll the log 90° so the hewn side is face up. Stand on top of the hewn face and cut directly toward your toes. As you might imagine, this can be a dangerous operation for someone who is unskilled. The adz needs to be razor sharp to cut well. The utmost concentration is needed to swing the adz with enough power for it to do its job but not enough to slice your toes (Figure 104). On small logs, you sometimes can straddle the log and swing the adz between your legs (Figure 105).

Photo of working with an adz.
Figure 104--Adz work requires the utmost
concentration to avoid cutting your feet.

Drawing of using an adz.
Figure 105--You may be able to straddle the log
when using an adz (drawing by Frederic H. Kock).

Historic log buildings often display the tooling marks of ax and adz work, best seen on the interior walls. It is often possible to tell if the hewer was right or left-handed by the position of the scoring marks and the broad ax marks. There is also a great difference between the tooling marks left by a broad ax and those left by an adz.