A froe is a tool used to split wood along the grain, with a handle for rotating the body and a flattened point for drilling. It is commonly used in mills and by homeowners for splitting wood, but caution must be taken to avoid injury.
Cutters are tools that are used to split sections of wood along the grain. The device is used in conjunction with a hammer to drill into the wood in the direction of the grain. Once the tong is inserted, the handle can be rotated to break the wood into two sections with relative ease.
In appearance, the froe is shaped more or less like an “L”. The body of the device is often rounded, with the tip coming to a flattened point. At the top of the body is a handle which can be used to set the tool free and hold the device in place while the hammer is used to drive into the flat bit. The shape of the handle also helps maximize the force with which the body can be rotated, making the task of splitting sections of wood much easier.
There are a couple of settings where froe is commonly employed. Mills that routinely made wooden planks use a wood to split the longs in half. This helps ensure that the boards are made by cutting with the grain, rather than against it. In addition, the splitting action allows you to inspect the general condition of the log and assign the correct grade to the section of wood.
Homeowners sometimes use this tool to tackle trees or even larger branches that have been cut down. Splitting wood can make it easier to clear debris from your property, as smaller pieces are easier to move than trying to move a large section. Because the froe allows you to start splitting exactly where you need to, the accuracy of the device is slightly better than the maul, another device often used to split wood.
Great care must be taken when working with a log splitter. The handle must be held firmly to avoid any slippage as the hammer is used to drive the body into the wood. This is especially true if there are knots in the section of the wood, as they are often harder to break through than the rest of the body of the wood. Failure to hold the froe firmly when driving it into wood could cause serious personal injury, including loss of a hand or arm. Many people who work with this tool regularly will also wear some sort of eye and hand protection when splitting sections of wood.
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