My grandfather gave me a couple heads about two years ago. An adze and a froe. He told me they were his grandfather's, a man named Henry, which is awesome because that's my son's name. I rehandled them from Welcome to House Handle Company and to disappoint I have not used them for intended purposes. I sharpened the froe and intend on cutting shakes, and the (demolition?) adze is ready to make a canoe or something, idk, help me. Anyways here's a few pics.
So glad you have the family heirlooms, that's nice. Just get a wooden mallet for the froe and you'll be set. I think we have froe and adze at the wood shop, never used them though. Be careful and have fun. Thanks for the company link too.
I have so much respect for those before us who built things out of nothing. We sure do take a lot for granted these days. Edit...looks to be a 'Framing Adze'.
I cut a mallet from post oak, need to do one from boisdarc. Feel free to share pictures of yours if you come across them.
Good to have another term to search, thanks. I searched adze and somebody had multiple pictures and it looked similar.