"Tools and Skills" Summary

The author of this article begins by discussing the tools used by early settlers of the Appalachians, including mallets, mauls, wooden wedges or "gluts," and shaving horses, which were all made from the wood of the forests. In addition to tools, numerous skills were required to use these wood tools effectively. As an example, the author next describes the tools and skills needed to build a log cabin.

To make support beams, these individuals require a broadaxe, foot adze, poleaxe, and a chalk box. In order to round the wooded slats, or "hew" the beams, one sets the log on blocks and places wedges under the ends. Next, one marks guidelines on the wood, and scores it with the falling axe every three inches, and then slices it, using the broadaxe. Alternately, one can use a foot...