A froe is an ancient tool, in common use for splitting wood accurately, for many hundreds of years. Before the invention of modern welding techniques, the eye would be formed by the local blacksmith bending part of the billet round in a circle. With reliable welding techniques available, good quality froes may be made more simply and accurately by welding a shaped blade to a pipe section, as shown in the pictures below.
Different sizes of froe are available. The one shown on the left is the standard large froe, with a blade about 265mm long (10.5″).
This is enough for most tasks that need to be undertaken with a froe – logs wider than this will generally be planked rather than split directly.
Smaller versions of the same froe are also available, as shown.
This is a short version of the same froe, ideal for splitting hazel sticks, small diameter chestnut logs etc, and can also be used by children as the weight is significantly less.
The final picture below shows a specialist’s version – this is the chairmaker’s froe, designed for hand splitting of small spars for use in furniture. The blade, which is made from polished and ground tool steel, is about 15 cm / 6″ and the tool is supplied with a fitted beech handle.
