James,
For best use with most woodworking other than large beams, a draw knife requires a shaving horse [1]. A draw knife very useful for barking logs as they last much longer with the bark removed.
You will also need a broad axe and adze to shape beams.
A froe to rive boards and shingles is good too.
Good books to get are the Foxfire series, as are the primitive series by John McPherson [2]. Also see McPherson’s web page at PrairieWolf.net [3].
Keep up the good work, – Ted. J
Sir:
Having just read the most recent article Traditional Tools for TEOTWAWKI, by Bill H., I came across this company while trying to do background research: CrosscutSaw.com/ [4]
I was wondering if you or Bill H. (the author of Traditional Tools for TEOTWAWKI) could comment on/ recommend them?
Regards, and Semper Fidelis, – J. McC.
JWR Replies: Although I haven’t personally done business with them, the folks at Crosscut Saw have a good reputation. It is noteworthy that most of their products are American made.
And speaking of using traditional hand tools, I’d like to re-post a link suggested by reader Ron S. back in 2009, a YouTube video: From Cherry Log to Country Chair [5], showing a gent making furniture with hand tools. Every self-sufficient carpenter should own a shingle froe, a hardwood mallet (“maul”), a shaving horse [1], an adze, and a draw knife.