If logs have been dragged along the ground or have been covered with mud or dirt then it is prudent to peel the log prior to hewing to help limit the possibility of embeded grit and stones from damaging the axe blade.
The peeling process can be undertaken using a simple garden spade with the above larch logs taking about an hour or so to peel. It is sensible to peel logs several days ahead of hewing to give the logs a chance to surface dry so that slippage and movement is avoided.
Once peeled it becomes easy to see whether spiral grain is present and also whether the localised presence of knots will determine whether or not a log can be used to make a satisfactory structural beam or post.
A fairly clear length of log is cut from a 2nd log and then pulled to the hewing bunks.
Where a beam is to be used in a scribe rule frame then hewing can procede on a relatively simple basis with the hewer working the log using hand and eye coordination to produce a fairly regular scantling with the long handled Kent pattern roughing axe.
The log is initially rolled, positioned and dogged in single vertical plane mode so that two fairly parallel vertical surfaces can be produced. The remaining two faces are then hewn to follow the natural line of the curves present in the timber.
The Kent patern hewing axe has a thick blade and stout handle to allow for rough leverage of juggles.
Ken Hume
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Hewing - Larch cruck collars
