Hewing

Hewing is a method of cutting wood. It was used historically as a method of squaring-up beams for building construction. As it's a labour-intensive process, such beams were commonly only squared on one surface, or around the areas necessary to make the joints.

One can hew wood by standing a log across two other smaller logs, and stabilizing it either by notching the support logs, or using a 'timber dog' (a long bar of iron with a tooth on either end that jams into the logs and prevents movement). The hewer marks a line on the log, usually with a chalk line, then chops notches into the log down to the line every foot or two using a chopping axe. The hewing is done by turning the log on its side and bringing the chopping axe down and chipping off remaining sections of wood in between the notches. This results in a rough surface paired down to the marked line. The notches make chipping easier and prevent long shreds of material being removed, only smaller chips.The result is a relatively flat surface on one side of the log. This is then further cleaned up with a broad axe, also known as a side axe. An Adze can also be used. Further smoothing can then be done using hand plane, or whatever one's imagination can come up with.