Hewing Wood With An Adze

An adze is a hand tool similar to an axe, with a blade that runs perpindicular to the shaft, often used in logging and forestry services. The shape of the adze head is more akin to a hoe than that of an axe.

The tool was typically wielded by standing on top of the log, chopping between the legs to strip bark off, or to hew a flat spot along the length for joining, or to cut rails.

The practice was made obsolete with the advance of large millwork saws used to trim lumber today. The adze hoe is still in use in forestry services today as a tool for creating fire breaks, or developing hiking and biking trails.