Making Timber Framing Tools: A Carving Axe That Even Cuts Fingers!

[@KerrySayers-vm6vm]

Awesome that your customer has a video record of how this functional art was crafted

[@kurtdietrich5421]

"What's a project without a wound?" Words to live by. I use the blue tape to cover the Band-Aids to keep them from getting dirty.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Always been an electrical tape guy myself

[@danryan3146]

Interesting to watch the entire handcrafted process from rough stock to a finished tool for the ages.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

It's a fun process

[@oldschool6345]

The biggest difference between toolmakers of old and new - The "old" used them for themselves and knew what worked and what didn't. So much stuff is made commercially today by people who never touch them. You make good looking, but more importantly good feeling and good working tools. You've made a "wrong" handle design I'm sure at some point, and haven't made another exactly like it I'm also sure. That little axe looks like it feels really good in the hand and the swing. Thanks for sharing

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

You hit it on the head, I've made a few that suck.

[@grahamallen3941]

Great Job Jim, this video only just arrived in my inbox! Great little tool. All the very best Graham🇬🇧🇬🇧👍👍

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Hey buddy

[@johntosten4779]

Good morning Mr Jim. That looks like a perfect handle curve. I'm looking forward to more.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Thank you John

[@Tomhohenadel]

Hope you had a good winter Jim. Not tooo much snow. Nice to see you keep busy in the forge.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

It's been an easy winter.

[@bruce1816]

Jim, I totally agree with you about the control with shaving by hand. I've always preferred that to machine with some jobs. Just old fashion, I guess !!!!

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Same here Bruce

[@howardemery1443]

nice to see you again Jim love walnut very nice looking wood your axe literally has your dna nice job

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

It sure does, happy it sanded out.

[@johntosten4779]

Good morning Mr Jim. That looks like a perfect handle curve! I think you're doing a great job. Looking forward to seeing more.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Took some screwing around to get it.

[@rickayers3150]

Good to see you jim, nice job on that. I'm in Sc spending time with my brother hanging out enjoying a nice Winter for a change. Not missing living in Ny in the winter. Be safe buddy

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

You're a lucky man. NY in the winter sucks, especially up where I live.

[@petershale9940]

Another great job Jim, cheers

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Thank you Peter

[@tynyyn5344]

Jim.........Great video. I really enjoyed this vid. Been looking for a small youth hatchet for a while and this popped up. Heck, I didn't know you were manufacturing these. Thanks for taking the time to make your videos. I'm sure after your regular 9-5 job it's gotta be a chore to go to the barn and make vids. But, anyway.....Thanks for the good quality vids. It's nice to see all the blood, sweat, and tears that go into making them.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Hello Terry. If you want one, let me know. You doing well?

[@tynyyn5344]

@TheTradesmanChannel Yea, I'm doing great. Putting the finishing touches on my new house. The wife and I have been building it the past couple of years and now all we lack is the garage roof and siding. 3500sq ft with an additional 850 sq ft attic. Great storage space.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

That is great, congratulations

[@kmarch6630]

Good looking ax. You're supposed to wrap some of that tape around the cut on your hand too.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Yeah I know

[@k9six185]

I like the wobbly carving stool also…….LOL

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Isn't it the best?

[@SilverBack.]

Hi Prof VERY nice carving hatchet, well done

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Thank you Doug. How you feeling?

[@SilverBack.]

@@TheTradesmanChannel the answer to that is untypeable

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Nice

[@TheKindredMan]

Great looking axe!

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Thank you

[@cabandit1]

Good Morning Jim. Nice work on the hatchet. I am interested in a draw knife.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

I can probably have one done for you this weekend, I'll let you know.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Hey buddy, drop me an email at [e-mail], I have a drawknife available if you're still interested

[@alexwilson9311]

Great to see you again Jim loved the axe and I would love to get a drawknife from you when you get going also nothing says blacksmith to me more than high vis long sleeve orange shirt 😂 working mans craftsman good stuff please let me know how we can make it happen 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

I'll get to work on it this weekend. Thanks buddy.

[@danielw.hanninen1176]

Great axe video Jim, the Axe looks fantastic. The new owner should be very happy to get it. If you don't have someone interested in the other axe, I would be interested in it. Let me know if it's available. Thanks again Jim. Dan.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

I'll make one for you.

[@danielw.hanninen1176]

@@TheTradesmanChannel That would be awesome Jim. Thanks again. Dan

[@urbanlumberjack]

Beautiful!

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Thank you

[@k9six185]

Working on my kit…I have a slick a 1 1/2” mortise chisel, a cross cut saw…and several axes and hatchets….I love the shape of the head on this hatchet…nice work

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Thank you

[@JamesSmith-hx3lp]

Great job Jim, enjoyed the video especially when you were doing the handle, good craftsmanship. Keep them coming. Have a good one my friend.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Thank you James

[@ssx2channel977]

Great job Jim looking forward to the next video and expanding your tool selection.💚💜🛠⚒

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Thank you Don. Timber framing chisels are next.

[@ssx2channel977]

@@TheTradesmanChannel sounds good looking for a slick

[@tynyyn5344]

@@ssx2channel977 Slicks???? (ears perk up) That will be a great series. I might have to put my name in the hat to get one.

[@loririchard1002]

What is the process to have you create a carving axe that I could purchase along with other carving tools potentially? Thank you.

[@michealmcconnell485]

Nice !

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Thanks buddy

[@twagner6155]

I saw one of your vids was about the high cost of handmade tools. You might be a bit light on your prices if anything because handmade Japanese tools and goods are very high because of ancient perfectionism. I see you like the Damascus, it's cool. Take care sir.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Good morning T

[@anthonyvincent9990]

nothing like putting your blood sweat and tears into your work. would love to get a matched set.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

It's fun for sure. Drop me a line through the website in the video description.

[@elliotazus6258]

Hello Jim. Another fine and explained video; beautiful hatchet! How's the home addition coming along? God bless 🙌 and take care your California buddy.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Hey buddy. The boss lady said she doesn't want me adding on. That means I can focus on finishing off my big man cave.

[@elliotazus6258]

@TheTradesmanChannel Wow, I figured maybe it was done already. More time for you then!

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

That's what I figured

[@idhatemet00]

a simple way to speed up the process would be to make a template with 1/4'' or 1/2'' plywood or acrylic, then use a flush trim bit to transfer it onto your workpiece. Use a 1/2'' round over bit or chamfer bit, and voila. Also you could only do the first step with the template and finish the rest by hand. Anyways just my 2 cents, final product regardless was magnificent, great work.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

You're right. I can make super short work of it on my bandsaw but I find it very relaxing with hand tools.

[@idhatemet00]

@@TheTradesmanChannel I 100% agree with that 👍

[@evergreenorganics]

This might be a dumb question but did you ever try pressure washing your timbers instead of debarking them? A guy asked me if I had tried it and I have not.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

It works well, easier than my method. I just didn't have a pressure washer. A log wizard is an awesome tool too, I use one of those.

[@evergreenorganics]

@@TheTradesmanChannel I do have an extra chainsaw or two or three or four I could put a log wizard on.

[@evergreenorganics]

Gorgeous tool. Thank you for the great content. I sent you a message on your website.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Good morning. I just saw it and am getting ready to respond.

[@IveysFamilyFactotum]

Damn it Jim im given it the best I got....hahaha. Cover them ouchies and move on....Character stains....hahaha yup thats it. Looks good bud even for a handle that will more than likely break if they are using it for an actual carving hatchet.

[@totherarf]

Once again ..... a nice job! Got to say it might be easier to put your makers mark into the hot iron rather than the old ways ;o) If you insist on the old ways you need a hair sample to go with the blood ...... but you probably did that checking the sharpness off camera, didn't you? ;o) On a serious note, it looks like you have dialled those blade angles in nicely to the shaft! Do you offer left and right handed options? It is amazing (to me anyway) how such a simple and ancient tool can be crafted to its designed purpose ...... which might not be obvious to everyone!

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

I love a good axe, can do a lot with them. How's Dave doing?

[@totherarf]

@@TheTradesmanChannel Honestly? ..... Feeling old(er)! Better than the alternative though! ;0) I guess the Grumpy Old Git in me refuses to give up though ..... makes life interesting for those I come into contact with. Met a guy with the biggest coal bunker I have ever seen outside a coal plant ..... He had £62K of coal in it. He told me people laughed at him when he got it, "But they are not laughing at me now are they Dave?" .... Cool guy!

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Sounds like someone I could get along with.

[@texascottonfarmer]

👍👍👌👌

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Thank you

[@meh583]

Anyone trying to put up a timber frame and fighting with the state? The gov really doesn't want you do things yourself anymore.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Big thing is to just spend the money for an engineer stamp. Most townships don't understand timber frames.

[@evergreenorganics]

@@TheTradesmanChannel that’s exactly what I had to do. And since building inspectors don’t understand timberframing, once you have that stamp you’re pretty much golden.

[@maddawgnoll]

What state? I heard CA isn't allowing any new log homes, or any wood sided homes because of fires. Kinda lame excuse there. It might just be certain counties. I dunno, I don't live in that crap hole anymore.