This is one of the most important aspects to get right. Most adze blades are from ½” up to 5 ½”, with each size going up a half-inch. The width refers to the width of the blade. But the additional weight on the blade will make the swing easier and more effective.Ĭonsider that you may be able to add additional weights just below the blade to increase the cutting effect. Of course, the adze should not be so heavy that you cannot control the swing. While it may seem more logical to go with a lighter weight, the truth is that the more weight in the blade present, the easier it will cut into the wood. They are relatively lightweight, which makes them easier to use over long periods. This adze is distinguished by its flared blade, which lets you shave off wider areas of the wood. It was believed that such a contact point would reduce the stress on the handle.

This version has an elongated head designed to allow the blade to come into contact with the material at the earliest possible point. Small enough to fit into your pocket, this type of adze is great for camping when you need to shape wood outdoors. They are similar to the shipwright version in that they are relatively lightweight. These are U-shaped adze tools designed more to hollow out wood than to shave it smooth. They have wide, flat heads and can be used to chip or remove ice or snow from slopes. 6- Ice adzeĪs the name implies, this adze is primarily used to cut or dig into the ice. But for beginners, you may need a lot of practice to master the technique and get accurate results. This tool chips away at the wood one small piece at a time. If you imagine a chisel that has a long handle and is designed to cut into the material by being swung, then you have an adze. However, while you can find many adzes that have been manufactured, it is still a popular tool for many to create on their own. However, these woods are not as durable or as popular as hickory. Other wood that is commonly used is cherry and ash. Plus, hickory replacement handles are widely available. Hickory is strong, hard, and light which can absorb the impacts of the blade repeatedly. The most popular material used to make handles is hickory. The handle may be made of fiberglass, which is strong and lightweight, but they are not as common as wooden handles. The result is a dense structure that resists breaking down even after repeated use. Steel often has other materials added to the forging process, that includes aluminum, boron, and niobium. The high carbon steel heads are created using a combination of heating, cooling, and compression that provides them with considerable strength.

Adze definition