How to Use a Cedar Shake Axe

Cutting cedar shakes requires the use of a cedar-shake axe, called a froe. A froe consists of a handle and an elongated flat-metal-blade; it resembles an axe head, but works in a different way. The elongated, non-tapered head of a froe does not allow it to split cedar with direct force.

Cedar block
Froe
Mallet

Instructions

- 1
  Set a cedar block on a level surface.
- 2
  Place the top edge of the froe blade -- with the handle facing up -- on top of the cedar block. Move the froe until the blade sits roughly 1/2 inch from one edge of the block.
- 3
  Hold the froe handle at vertical with your non-dominant hand. Adjust the handle so that the blade is perpendicular to the top face of the cedar block.
- 4
  Tap the top of the froe blade with a mallet; drive it into the top of the cedar block. Continue tapping the froe until the blade sits completely in the block. Twist the handle -- held with your non-dominant hand -- until a shake splits from the block. Force the blade further into the block if the shake does not split when the handle is turned.
- 5
  Move the froe in another 1/2 inch, and repeat the process.

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