Handy Devices

The shaving horse represents one of the most ingenious woodworking devices developed by indigenous North American craftspeople. This combination workbench and vise allows a single person to efficiently shape wood using cutting tools that require two hands, making it possible to create everything from tool handles to hunting bows with remarkable precision.

Design Variations

Native American shaving horses varied by tribe and region, with several distinct styles:

• Eastern Woodland Design - Typically featured a saddled seat and angled dumbhead
• Plains Style - Often more portable, with simpler construction
• Northwest Coast Version - Incorporated local woods like cedar and distinctive carving elements
• Hybrid Designs - Reflected cultural exchange with European settlers

Applications

The shaving horse was used to create a wide range of wooden items:

• Bow Staves - Precisely shaped wooden blanks for hunting and war bows
• Arrow Shafts - Straight, uniform shafts requiring careful shaping
• Tool Handles - Axe, knife, and other tool handles with ergonomic shapes
• Ceremonial Objects - Items requiring fine detail work
• Household Implements - Spoons, ladles, and other curved wooden objects

Contemporary Relevance

The shaving horse remains relevant for modern woodworkers for several reasons:

• It requires no electricity or complex parts
• It allows for precise control and feedback through direct hand contact
• It can be built using simple tools and readily available materials
• It's particularly effective for creating curved or irregular shapes
• It represents a sustainable approach to woodworking

Today, traditional woodworkers, bow makers, and those interested in historical crafts continue to use shaving horses based on Native American designs, often with minor modifications to suit contemporary needs.

The adze represents one of humanity's oldest and most versatile woodworking tools, with Egyptian examples dating back over 5,000 years. Unlike an axe, which cuts with the blade parallel to the handle, the adze blade is mounted perpendicular to the handle, making it ideal for smoothing and shaping wooden surfaces. Egyptian craftsmen refined this tool to a high degree, creating specialized versions for different woodworking tasks.

Types of Egyptian Adzes

Archaeological discoveries have revealed several specialized forms:

Usage Techniques

Egyptian craftsmen developed sophisticated techniques for using the adze:

• Standing Position - Working on large pieces like boat timbers, standing with the wood secured at waist height
• Seated Position - For smaller objects, sitting with the workpiece braced against the ground or between the feet
• Control Methods - Using the non-dominant hand near the blade for precision guidance
• Finishing Techniques - Shallow, overlapping cuts to create a smooth surface

Cultural Significance

Beyond its practical importance, the adze held symbolic significance in Egyptian culture:

• The hieroglyph for "carpenter" included an adze symbol
• The god Ptah, patron of craftsmen, was often depicted holding an adze
• The "Opening of the Mouth" ceremony used a ceremonial adze to symbolically give life to statues and mummies
• Adzes were included in tomb goods for use in the afterlife

The Egyptian adze represents one of the most enduring tool designs in human history, with modern versions still used by traditional woodworkers worldwide. Its basic form—a sharp blade mounted perpendicular to a handle—has proven so effective that it has remained essentially unchanged for millennia.

The Japanese kanna (鉋) represents one of the most refined woodworking tools ever developed. Unlike Western planes that cut on the push stroke, the kanna cuts on the pull stroke, allowing for greater control and finer shavings. When properly set up and used, these planes can produce surfaces so smooth that no sanding is required—a level of finish that modern power tools struggle to match.

Blade Technology

The heart of the kanna is its remarkable blade:

• Laminated Construction - Hard, high-carbon cutting edge (hagane) forge-welded to a softer, more flexible backing iron (jigane)
• Hand Forging - Traditional blades are forged by specialized blacksmiths (kajiya) using techniques similar to Japanese sword making
• Hollow Grinding - The back of the blade is slightly concave (ura), making it easier to flatten and sharpen
• Edge Angles - Typically sharpened at a steeper angle (about 35 degrees) than Western planes

Types of Kanna

Japanese craftsmen developed specialized planes for different tasks:

Setup and Tuning

The process of preparing a kanna for use is complex and precise:

1. Dai Preparation - Flattening the sole and adjusting the bed angle
2. Blade Preparation - Flattening the back (ura) and sharpening the bevel
3. Chip Breaker Fitting - Ensuring perfect contact between the chip breaker and blade
4. Blade Setting - Tapping the blade to adjust cutting depth and lateral alignment
5. Test Cutting - Making adjustments based on the quality of shavings

Usage Technique

Using a Japanese plane effectively requires specific body mechanics:

• Standing with feet in a stable stance, slightly staggered
• Gripping the plane with both hands, thumbs on top
• Pulling with the core muscles rather than just arm strength
• Maintaining consistent pressure throughout the stroke
• Developing sensitivity to the feedback from the tool

The Japanese kanna exemplifies the philosophy that woodworking is not merely about removing material, but about revealing the inherent beauty of the wood. Modern woodworkers worldwide increasingly appreciate these tools for their precision, the quality of surface they produce, and the direct connection they provide between craftsperson and material.

The Vikings' mastery of wooden mechanical systems, particularly pulleys and lifting devices, played a crucial role in their remarkable achievements in shipbuilding, construction, and trade. Using only hand tools and locally available materials, Norse craftspeople created sophisticated mechanical advantage systems that allowed them to move heavy objects with efficiency that would not be surpassed for centuries.

Types of Viking Lifting Systems

Norse craftspeople developed several types of mechanical advantage systems:

Applications in Viking Society

Wooden mechanical systems were integral to many aspects of Norse life:

• Shipbuilding - Lifting heavy timbers and positioning planks during construction
• Ship Operation - Managing sails, anchors, and cargo loading
• Construction - Raising timber frames for buildings and moving stone
• Well Systems - Pulleys for drawing water from deep wells
• Trade - Loading and unloading heavy goods at trading centers
• Agriculture - Lifting hay into storage lofts and operating primitive mills

Materials and Adaptations

Viking craftspeople selected materials carefully for different components:

• Oak - Preferred for structural components due to its strength and durability
• Ash - Used for components requiring flexibility and shock resistance
• Pine - Employed for lighter, non-load-bearing elements
• Animal Fat - Used as lubricant for axles and moving parts
• Hemp or Flax Rope - Primary material for rigging and lifting lines

The mechanical systems developed by Viking-era craftspeople represent a sophisticated understanding of physics and materials science, achieved through practical experimentation and generational knowledge transfer. These technologies were essential to the Norse expansion across the North Atlantic and their achievements in trade and construction. The principles embodied in these wooden machines—mechanical advantage, friction reduction, and structural efficiency—remain relevant in modern engineering.