Not a video for those who hate Batoning!

19-3ben

19-3ben

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Jul 27, 2015
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I was screwing around on YouTube, watching random crap about wood splitting, when this came up. The technique, skill, patience, etc... I'm in awe. I hope this isn't a repost of a video that everyone already knows about.

Check it out.


To keep it sort of knife related, if one were to set of a Froe like the one's they are using, what sort of steel, thickness, edge angles, etc.. would you want?
 
Making shingles & shakes is fairly common in my area (PacNW). A froe can be used for both splitting rounds (like in your video, except they are using specialty knives) and/or splitting logs to make planks. In camp settings I like to fashion wood wedges to plank boards for use around camp (benches, shelves between close standing trees, table-tops, etc.). A froe is a heavy item to pack, but when you want to do a lot of work they are a time saver. The quality of the wood, and selection is potentially much more important than the specifics of the tool (good straight-grain cedar is locally our best example, when it comes to thin even strong planks).

This link may help to answer some questions related to were-ever path you choose to go with this:
http://www.leevalley.com/us/shopping/Instructions.aspx?p=67296
 
I can appreciate that. I didn't post it because I was really looking to get into using a froe. I was posting more because their skill at splitting and forming the shingles was really impressive. I appreciated their machine-like precision.
 
It was a fun video. I stumbled on it I don't know where or how a while ago. Made me want to make some shingles!!!!!


I wonder what the steel is in those "knives" Handles must be pretty durable too, the way they were pounding those things flat into the stump!
 
I wonder what those knives are. They are not typical froe knives because the handles are straight not bent.
 
19-3ben said:
I can appreciate that. I didn't post it because I was really looking to get into using a froe. I was posting more because their skill at splitting and forming the shingles was really impressive. I appreciated their machine-like precision.
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It is very impressive. It's surprising they don't have newer machines for this process but It's cool to see some people like to continue some type of tradition.
 
highestpoint said:
It is very impressive. It's surprising they don't have newer machines for this process but It's cool to see some people like to continue some type of tradition.
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I'd bet that for mass production, they use industrial equipment. No evidence at all to support this theory, but my guess is that these guys are craftsman who cater to a customer base that is willing to pay for hand crafted, old world artistry.
 
Prior to each split they are eyeballing grain structure and size, then proceeding accordingly (and/or rejecting sections). I do not believe a machine could accomplish this effectively.

This crime is; that we in the U.S. ship/export raw logs to them (typically our best quality product leaves our shores effectively unprocessed :-/

If ya want to find info on the knives they are using, you could start by searching for Japanese Kindling Froe (used for splitting, planking & planing). I would think the art of the tool (performance) is not really in the tool so much as the user and the users experience in looking at the wood and constantly assessing what & how to proceed to the desired results.

Some of the handles on those Froe appeared to be nothing more than slabs held in place with cloth wrapping. Simple tools in the hands of craftsmen.

Regards,
 
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Cool vid.
I am curious, why would they would staple the bottom of the shingle when that would just be an entry point for water (making the shingles less useful)?
 
NJBillK said:
Cool vid.
I am curious, why would they would staple the bottom of the shingle when that would just be an entry point for water (making the shingles less useful)?
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Let me begin with, I have no experience in Japanese roofing. I do have many decades in residential and commercial construction. Much of this time in building envelope design and application (roofing & waterproofing one subcategory of building envelope). Little experience with hand split wood shingles.

I would assume those staples are stainless.

The EXTREEME thinness of those wood shingles would make them very susceptible to lifting in wind at the exploded edge (if the edge is not secured).

The shingles appear to be installed in a triple coverage method (three layers of shingle minimum coverage), with no asphaltic felt or other underpayment being used (somewhat typical to increase breathability of the wood (reduced rot potential).

I do agree, the use of thru-fasteners appears questionable, and would think some method of adhesive application would be superior ...

The sheer thinness coupled with the exposed fasteners had me wondering if this application is possibly for a facade ... (appearance vs. weather exposure protection), sometimes known as "doll house shingles".

Then again, like I say my Japanese architectural experience is limited to what I have done/learned here in the U.S. Could be the superior quality of the wood, and related performance is just off the chart for me.

As a reference point; wood shakes around me are split (much thicker than shingles). Wood shingles are typically sawn (to get them thin and even).

Hand split shingles I think are 1/4" - 5/8" thick. In the video it seemed they were consistently producing =<1/4" nominal (finished thickness 1/4" or less).

I was actually more impressed with the quality of those wood bolts than anything else. Craftsmen pretty good too. The knives/froes ... meh

I would love to learn the true scoop on the actual application.

Regards,
 
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