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Tools and materials set out for the making of an adze, used for shaping wood. Here an authentic stone adze blade will be joined to a modern wooden handle.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 16th February 2008
First a green branch and the trunk has been cut from a tree in a "Y" form, and one side is cut short. After the wood is debarked and shaped, it is dried with the help of a fire.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 16th February 2008
A bedding plane is made on the short arm of the branch, and there are many adjustments necessary in order for the stone to sit snugly and in the correct position for the future use of the tool.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 16th February 2008
After all is ready, the stone is fixed on the wood with many turns of cord and also glue in order to make better contact between the stone and the wood.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 16th February 2008
The finished adze.
From this experiment, we learned that green woods are very easy to work with, but afterwards they must be dried beside a fire. It is also necessary to use glue for better contact between the stone tool and the handle.
In addition, ancient stone age man must have had some long forgotten genius who could imagine a branch and trunk upside down, with the addition of a stone tool to make a very useful product.
As this project continues, our respect for ancient man increases.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 16th February 2008