Straight edge hatchet job from Jim Tolpin on Vimeo.

Working without a bandsaw (or any other power tool) I’ve been forced to get up to speed with my Gransfors carpenter’s hatchet to waste away the wood. I do find it interesting that when making a project which will eventually be precision tooled to within a thousandth of an inch (by a hand plane of course!) I get to start with one of the most primitive of woodworking tools: a wedge. Notice that I move my back leg further away from the action for safety reasons; also notice that the chopping block is shaking a bit for laziness reasons. I really should wedge the base more securely!