What could this be ?

[Johnny Bravo]

I found this along a wagon trail. The one side if it comes to an edge, it's 7 1/2" long, 2 3/4" wide, and 1/2" thick. Only thing I could think of it being is some type of ax or maybe a wedge for logging. Any thoughts to what else this might be ?

 

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[DJ_Quinn]

That's a log splitter.

 

[dex378]

awful small to be a log splitter especially for green wood, its tapered on the wrong side for a log splitter.

 

[DJ_Quinn]

awful small to be a log splitter especially for green wood, its tapered on the wrong side for a log splitter.

Think so? I guess I'm wrong, but what is it then?

 

[dex378]

awful small to be a log splitter especially for green wood, its tapered on the wrong side for a log splitter.

Think so? I guess I'm wrong, but what is it then?

Well I'm not doubting you , but any splitter I've ever seen is wedged the other way, plus I think its only part of something. Does it look broken to you too?

 

[DJ_Quinn]

awful small to be a log splitter especially for green wood, its tapered on the wrong side for a log splitter.

Think so? I guess I'm wrong, but what is it then?

Well I'm not doubting you , but any splitter I've ever seen is wedged the other way, plus I think its only part of something. Does it look broken to you too?

I guess that edge he's holding up in the bottom photo looks like it could be fractured, although it's kind of hard to tell with all the oxidation.

 

[dex378]

awful small to be a log splitter especially for green wood, its tapered on the wrong side for a log splitter.

Think so? I guess I'm wrong, but what is it then?

Well I'm not doubting you , but any splitter I've ever seen is wedged the other way, plus I think its only part of something. Does it look broken to you too?

I guess that edge he's holding up in the bottom photo looks like it could be fractured, although it's kind of hard to tell with all the oxidation.

I was thinking the other edge from the first pic, see the angle its at?

 

[Johnny Bravo]

It doesn't seem very thick to be a wood splitter or wedge and there are no marks from it being hammered on. It does look like it was longer, appears that it was hit on the wide side and it broke. The area where I found it was in lower land along a river and its a bit swampy there so I don't think it would be something from farming, this area was big on logging so think it might be logging related.

 

[Elmer Thudd]

I had to search my memory for a bit there, but it finally came to me.
It may (or may not) be what was called a "froe", and was used to make shakes
(wood shingles) for a roof. It was held as you are holding it in the picture with
one hand and struck with a mallet down into a short length of log, carefully
following the grain, and trying to make even and uniform shakes for a pioneer's
cabin roof. As you might imagine, the original would have been longer than what
you have, but if we have guessed correctly, I'd say you have a pretty neat find.

 

[dex378]

I had to search my memory for a bit there, but it finally came to me.
It may (or may not) be what was called a "froe", and was used to make shakes
(wood shingles) for a roof. It was held as you are holding it in the picture with
one hand and struck with a mallet down into a short length of log, carefully
following the grain, and trying to make even and uniform shakes for a pioneer's
cabin roof. As you might imagine, the original would have been longer than what
you have, but if we have guessed correctly, I'd say you have a pretty neat find.

Welcome to the forum!! I'd say You are on track with it being a "froe" !! Great job!!

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I had to search my memory for a bit there, but it finally came to me.
It may (or may not) be what was called a "froe", and was used to make shakes
(wood shingles) for a roof. It was held as you are holding it in the picture with
one hand and struck with a mallet down into a short length of log, carefully
following the grain, and trying to make even and uniform shakes for a pioneer's
cabin roof. As you might imagine, the original would have been longer than what
you have, but if we have guessed correctly, I'd say you have a pretty neat find.

My log splitter is tapered on the short side and thicker. Here is a straight froe. Maybe it was longer and is broken like Elmer said. http://www.craftsofnj.org/toolshed/articles/froes by hank allen/Hank Allen on Froes.htm

 

[DJ_Quinn]

I think you've solved it BigCypress! Well done.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I think you've solved it BigCypress! Well done.

No, it was Elmer Thudd. I just posted a pic.