What is hand hewing logs?

Hand hewing logs is a traditional method of shaping logs with hand tools such as adzes, axes, chisels, and drawknives. This method was commonly used before the advent of modern sawmills, and it is still used today for rustic cabins, barns, and other structures as well as for furniture making.

Hand hewing begins by selecting a suitable log with straight grain and few knots. Then, the bark is removed, and the log is secured to a workbench or log holder. The hewer then uses a broadaxe to remove the outer layer of wood in long, sweeping strokes, creating a flat surface on one side of the log. This process is repeated on the opposite side to create a parallel flat surface.

Next, the hewer uses an adze or a hatchet to remove the remaining rounded edges of the log, making it more rectangular. This process requires great skill, as the hewer must maintain an even thickness and square angles throughout the log.

Finally, the log is finished with a drawknife and a hand plane to smooth the surface and prepare it for use. The resulting timber has a unique texture and character, with irregular marks from the hand tools that give it a rustic appearance. Hand hewing logs is a labor-intensive process that requires considerable strength and skill, but it is also a rewarding way to create durable, beautiful structures that withstand the test of time.