Riving Wood for Chairs - Sussex Chair Part 2.

Описание: Continuing the series on making an Arts and Crafts period Sussex Chair - in this episode riving ash logs and drawknifing the rough outline of legs and stretchers.
I found a good log with reasonably straight grain that had only been felled a short while. In the video I split the log using a hammer and wedges, first in half and then into sections. Once I have the rough split out stock, I then drawknife (a two handled knife that you 'draw' towards yourself) it on my shave horse (a foot operated clamp) to make it rounder in section, so that I can turn it on my lathe, or by using rounding planes, to make chair legs and stretchers. Splitting the wood is great fun - I love to hear the noise as the crack 'seeps' along the tree trunk - its not particularly loud, but there is something I really like about it - I suppose its having that very close contact with the tree as almost a living thing, as I set about giving it new life as I work it into a chair. That probably sounds a bit James Krenov, and yes I am a great admirer of his approach to letting the wood inspire, and in its own way speak to you.