This medieval-looking tool is called a ‘froe’ and we have been searching for a real one (not a new one on Amazon). I found it at Ed Lebetkin’s antique tool shop in Pittsboro, the one right above The Woodright’s School, run by Roy Underwood from the PBS show.

It was originally used to make shingles out of a block of wood, and also to trim wood blocks to get them ready for more tooling (planing, shaving, cutting and so on).

We plan to use it for splitting blocks of wood for kindling. And, also maybe try to get wood ready for hand tool working.

When visiting Pittsboro you have to stop by Ed’s store.