Timber Framing chisels?

[Mike Holbrook]

I have been working on removing a 1- 1 1/2” x 16” piece of red oak from a red oak log. Should be doing it with an adze & or carving axe but, mine are at our cabin at the moment. The 2” bevel edge Narex chisel I have been using seems over matched.

I got interested in Timber Framing and have been watching guys do timber framing on YouTube. Most of the joinery for this work seems to be done with a 1 1/2” Timber Framing chisel, not a firmer chisel, not a slick, but a real Timber Framing chisel. Barr Tools seems to make the prefered tools for this work.

I am wondering if anyone here has any experience to relate with regard to these chisels and their use? I may make a trip to Highland Woodworking tomorrow to check them out.

Below is a series of videos, in which, a guy & his wife: take down trees, hew timbers from the logs, build a two story workshop, using classic timber framing joinery. They use wood & plaster to make the walls within the frame, build windows & doors, even door latches are made from wood......

https://youtu.be/s8GP68nLpEY

https://youtu.be/uPaVWd3SKl4

.....sort of redefines Neanderthal & reliance on hand tools.