Draw Knife Recommendation Needed

Otto Syracuse · Jun 22, 2016

I need to peel about 80 black locust logs for fence posts. The posts are recently cut and green.

I am seeing mixed reviews on draw knives, which is the tool I think I need to do this. I don't mind spending $100 for a quality tool, and I believe I could use it for a few other projects around the farm.

Peavey has one for about $60, but several negative reviews on blade and design. I've seen several from Germany or Sweden in the $150+ range. So I'm looking for something in between.

Thanks!

Otto

Snobdds · Jun 22, 2016

Trust me when I say, you want the best draw knife you can get. Grandsfors Burks is a tool you'll hand down for generations and is quite amazing on the productivity side. I not only have this draw knife, but I also have a cheaper one that is no longer used because it was not up to the task. Buy once, cry once or you'll be like me and have two of them.

Gransfors Bruks Log House Drawknife | Drawknives

PhysAssist · Jun 22, 2016

Have you considered buying a de-barking attachment for your chainsaw?

Having used draw knives, I don't mind using them if I only have a small job to do, but if I had what you cited ahead of me, I'd absolutely get one of these:

chainsaw debarker - Google Search

Use videos:

Chainsaw Debarker Attachment Chain Saw Sawmill - YouTube
[I think this looked like the best video, but I'm not sure if the tools are that much different from each other]

Chainsaw Log Debarker - YouTube [This one doesn't use your chainsaw's bar, but looks like it's got a narrower cutting path]

custom log peeling machine, log peeler, log debarker, debarker, peeling, debarking - YouTube [This guy made his own, but doesn't appear to be selling them- I think the handle near the cutting head might give you better control, but be more dangerous by bringing the chain closer to you.]

The Log Wizard - The best debarking and smoothing tool! - YouTube [Are you sure this isn't you? His story is similar to yours- but he doesn't demonstrate peeling bark.]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aMh37jt2i0 [This is from Bailey's online http://www.baileysonline.com/Chains...ts/Chainsaw-Debarkers/Log-Wizard-Debarker.axd, where I first saw the Log Wizard advertised- but they're $20 more than Northern Tool.]

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...UcjaBCt5tPfDiAhig&sig2=GTxco-rwAwVypWnMQ2DGtg [This one not so much...]

DrRod · Jun 22, 2016

I have the same one my grandfather used to peel chestnut logs for our cabin -- 1939. It has been sharpened so much that the blade has a bit of a wave in it. I used it to peel locust posts about 20 years ago. They were green and the bark did come off I nice long strips but it was a slightly slimy/sticky job given all the moisture under the bark.

My old timer neighbor said I could have left the bark on -- once they dry it stays on tight for as log as the post lasts.

Conversely, my consulting forester says to let them lay for a year and the bark will flake off just from moving them around.

So I guess these are thoughts to consider but nothing definitive.

comancheflight · Jun 22, 2016

If you sit the locust in the sun in short order the bark will peel off by hand rather easily. At least black locust I have. I have tons of them.

Also, by peeling off I mean it comes off in sheets.

PhysAssist · Jun 22, 2016

comancheflight said:
If you sit the locust in the sun in short order the bark will peel off by hand rather easily. At least black locust I have. I have tons of them.

Also, by peeling off I mean it comes off in sheets.

Oops, I meant to mention that with the locust logs we picked up last summer, which I had stacked in a pile to dry, what Dr. Rod's neighbor and ComancheFlight predicted did happen- the bark came off easily in big pieces, except around any wrinkles and/or knots, where it was more firmly attached.

Unfortunately I got distracted by the power tools and forgot to add that tidbit- anyway, I assumed that you had a more pressing need for the fence posts and wouldn't want to wait for nature to debark them.

Otto Syracuse · Jun 22, 2016

PhysAssist said:
Oops, I meant to mention that with the locust logs we picked up last summer, which I had stacked in a pile to dry, what Dr. Rod's neighbor and ComancheFlight predicted did happen- the bark came off easily in big pieces, except around any wrinkles and/or knots, where it was more firmly attached.

Unfortunately I got distracted by the power tools and forgot to add that tidbit- anyway, I assumed that you had a more pressing need for the fence posts and wouldn't want to wait for nature to debark them.

That is correct, I'd like these posts in the ground before summers end. Both "experts" I talked to said to remove the bark, it will look better and last longer. That is in line with my thinking and experience.

PA, I like the debarker attachment, looks like it would work really well. I'll look at the other suggestions here too. Spending some time peeling them in the old fashioned way has some allure to it, but the novelty may wear off on log 20 or 21 or so.

s219 · Jun 22, 2016

What about a "bark spud" -- that is the tool specifically for this job. I have one made my Peavey and it worked like a charm when I had to peel a couple logs. Still a lot of work though.

oosik · Jun 23, 2016

I still have the draw knife I used to peal the 125 LARGE logs used when I built our cabin in Alaska. There is nothing special about it - its a straight, flat draw knife, about 24" wide. The only things that made it easier to use - its easy to keep sharp and its heavy in the extreme. Keeping it sharp is obvious. Heavy is nice because the added weight makes it easy to "pull through" knots, etc on any log. My draw knife made it thru 125 logs, each 22' long with ease. The blade is 14" wide, 3/4" thick & 3 1/2" deep.

I purchased it at a Feed & Seed store in Anchorage. It has no identifying marks on it but it does look hand forged. The fellow that owned the F&S store recommended this knife over the newer "wonder knives" and he was spot on. Just be very careful when using a draw knife - if you straddle the log, the draw knife will cut your knee caps just as easily as the bark.

Its kind of a PITA to stand along side the log when using the knife but you will have fewer accidents.