James,
For best use with most woodworking other than large beams, a draw knife requires a shaving horse. 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. Also see McPherson’s web page at PrairieWolf.net.
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/
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, showing a gent making furniture with hand tools. Every self-sufficient carpenter should own a shingle froe, a hardwood mallet (“maul”), a shaving horse, an adze, and a draw knife.