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Froes by Ray Iles

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Ray Iles | Exclusive Importers in the USA
Found in Departments: Spokeshaves and Drawknives
Froes by Ray Iles - The extra large froe is not shownFroes by Ray Iles - The extra large froe is not showncancelleft arrowright arrow
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- The extra large froe is not shown
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Quantity in Cart: none
Code: MS-IFROE.XX
Extra Large - 12" blade, 17 1/2" handle alt="Extra Large - 12" blade, 17 1/2" handle"cancel Extra Large - 12" blade, 17 1/2" handle ($159.95) In Stock
Premium - 8" blade alt="Premium - 8" blade"cancel Premium - 8" blade ($95.95) In Stock
Large Froe - 8" blade alt="Large Froe - 8" blade"cancel Large Froe - 8" blade ($94.95) In Stock
Small Froe - 6 1/2" blade alt="Small Froe - 6 1/2" blade"cancelSmall Froe - 6 1/2" blade ($79.95) Not available
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Micro Froe - 5" blade alt="Micro Froe - 5" blade"cancel Micro Froe - 5" blade ($79.95) In Stock
Quantity:
MS-IFROE.XX
A froe is the best way to split out green wood for chairmaking, shinglemaking, fencemaking, and pretty much any operation that calls for splitting. The tool is also known as a rending ax, split ax, cleaving iron, pole ax, riving ax, divider, etc - to give you an idea of its function. The basic operation is whacking the froe into the end of the wood, which causes the wood to start to split. Pulling towards or against yourself on the end of the handle, which gives tons of leverage, and twists the blade in the cut, will extend the split. Depending on which direction you pull the handle, you can control the direction of the split. Sometimes a few more whacks on the blade with a mallet can speed up the process.

Ray Iles says he started making froes himself because the old ones were hard to get and too many of the new ones didn't have the right taper on the froe. Ray's froes are correctly tapered from top to bottom, so you get the additional leverage when you drive the froe into the wood and more control when you split out the timber.

Ray offers several different size options.

The XL Froecorrectly tapered from top to bottom, so you get the additional leverage when you drive the froe into the wood and more control when you split out the timber. The froe’s 12” blade is made of EN45 spring steel. The handle is a substantial 17 ½” that fits snugly into its socket.

The next largest froes - the premium and the large - both possess a 9 1/2" long x 1 7/8" wide blade. The blade starts at a solid 3/8" at the top and tapers to 1/8" at the cutting edge where it is further ground to a double beveled knife edge. The difference between the premium and large froes is that the large froe comes with a ground edge, the premium froe's cannels have been gently curved, making it easier to use, particularly when first entering the wood.

The small froe has a 6 1/2" blade. The handle is turned beech and (unlike its larger cousins) is attached to the eye of the blade with wedges.

The micro froe has a 5" blade and the handle is turned beech and wedged into the eye. The micro is a perfect froe for small work such as basket making.

All froes have handles made of air dried English beech that is finished in linseed oil for long wear and a good grip. No matter which size you choose, you’ll get a substantial tool designed for real work. Made in England.

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Customer Reviews:for an average rating of:
Mr
By: kevin webster (May, 2022)
In response to Tom and Al, the small one is for riving and light duty work no more than 1 1/2 inch. It could be technique, the only force on the handle should be prying, and light grip just for placement, if any force is put on the handle when striking that impact is going directly up the handle or towards the wedge like halving an axe and will always work the wedge loose. If your looking to split logs get a large, small is for baskets, hazel fencing.
Very nice product
By: Tom in Iowa (Apr, 2022)
My small froe also has come loose from the handle. The wedge used in manufacturing makes it tough to use another wedge to tighten it up. Reviewer Mr Ludd has failed to understand that the small and micro froe handle is not supposed to be loose as larger froe handle is.
I own this product.
Mr
By: Lataxe Ludd (Nov, 2020)
The previous reviewer has failed to understand the function of a froe (or lataxe, as it's called in Cumbria, England). The handle is supposed to be loose so you can slide the head down it and use both hands, one at either end of the handle, to lever open the splits in the wood in the direction that you want. The loose handle enabled the steering of the rive, in other words. I have a Ray Iles froe and find it a well-designed and highly functional tool.
I own this product.
Small froe
By: Al Larrivee (Nov, 2020)
Since first use; head slips loose of handle. It needs tightening but I’m not sure how
I own this product.
By: Mike in Tennessee (Mar, 2013)
Great price for a Ray Iles tool
I own this product.

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