Vintage Timber Framing Tools – History, Types, Features, Restoration & Collector Value Guide

1. Introduction

Vintage timber framing tools are among the most iconic and enduring hand tools in woodworking history. Before the rise of powered sawmills, framing nailers, and CNC joinery, massive wooden structures were crafted entirely by hand. These structures ranged from barns and mills to churches and homes. They were built using specialized timber tools.

Traditional timber framing relies on precision joinery such as mortise-and-tenon, scarf joints, dovetails, and housings. Craftsmen depended on heavy-duty tools to create these joints at a large scale. These tools included broad axes, slicks, framing chisels, adzes, boring machines, and drawknives. Many of these tools remain prized by today’s woodworkers, preservationists, and collectors.

This article provides a complete guide to Vintage Timber Framing Tools.

2. History of Vintage Timber Framing Tools

Timber framing is an ancient carpentry tradition that dates back thousands of years.

Historical Highlights

Early timber tools were made from stone and later from forged iron
By the 1700s and 1800s, European and American timber framing matured into a refined craft
Specialized tools evolved for hewing, mortising, boring, drawknifing, and joint fitting
Blacksmiths and early toolmakers began creating distinct regional tool patterns
Industrial-era manufacturers like Witherby, Swan, Underhill, Plumb, Collins, and L.&I.J. White refined tool geometry and steel quality
Timber framing declined with balloon framing and sawmills after the late 1800s
A resurgence in the late 20th century renewed interest in traditional framing tools

Today, vintage timber framing tools are sought after for their craftsmanship, steel quality, and historical significance.

3. Major Manufacturers of Vintage Timber Framing Tools

American Makers

Witherby – legendary framing chisels and slicks
James Swan – high-quality chisels and timber tools
L.&I.J. White – premier maker of axes, adzes, and timber framing tools
Collins – broad axes and heavy-duty edge tools
Plumb – framing hatchets, adzes, and axes
Greenlee – auger bits, boring tools, chisels

European Makers

Gränsfors Bruk (Sweden) – axes and timber tools
Hults Bruk (Sweden)
Mathieson (Scotland)
Addis (England) – carving/detailed tools used in joinery

Other Notable Makers

Underhill Edge Tool Co.
True Temper / Kelly Works
Numerous early blacksmiths

These manufacturers produced some of the highest-quality framing tools ever made.

4. Design and Features of Vintage Timber Framing Tools

Timber framing tools are designed for heavy-duty cutting, shaping, and joinery.

Common Materials

Hand-forged high-carbon steel
Hickory, ash, or oak handles
Iron and steel for braces and boring machines
Brass ferrules and socket reinforcement on chisels

Types of Vintage Timber Framing Tools

1. Broad Axes

Used for hewing logs into beams
Single- and double-bevel styles
Often feature offset handles for clearance

2. Adzes

Carpenter’s adzes for flattening surfaces
Gutter and bowl adzes for hollowing
Shipbuilder’s and framing adzes for precision shaping

3. Framing Chisels

Heavy-duty chisels (1½″–2½″ wide)
Designed for chopping deep mortises and joinery
Made by Swan, Witherby, Pexto, Buck Brothers

4. Slicks

Extra-wide paring chisels (2½″–4″ wide)
Used to clean and finish mortises and housings
Long handles for two-handed control

5. Timber Augers & Boring Machines

Hand-cranked boring machines for drilling large holes
Brace-and-bit systems using large auger bits
Essential for peg holes and mortise clean-out

6. Drawknives

Used for debarking, shaping beams, and chamfering edges
Long blades used in timber finishing

7. Saws (Traditional)

Frame saws, pit saws, and long hand saws
Used for rough sizing and joinery tasks

8. Mallets & Beetles

Heavy wooden striking tools
Used to drive chisels and assemble joints

9. Layout Tools

Timber framing squares
Chalk lines
Plumb bobs
Race knives

Key Features of Vintage Timber Tools

Thick, tough steel that withstands impact
Handles designed for leverage and comfort
Forged blades with lamination on some early tools
Large cutting edges for beam-scale work
Balanced geometry for long sessions of use

Why Woodworkers Love Vintage Timber Framing Tools

Superior forged steel that holds an edge
Tools built for generations of use
Perfect for traditional joinery enthusiasts
Offer a deep connection to historic building practices
Produce authentic hand-hewn, traditional surfaces

Vintage tools deliver unmatched performance in heavy carpentry and joinery.

5. Usage & Applications

Vintage timber framing tools are still used by modern timber framers, traditional carpenters, and restoration experts.

Ideal Uses

Beam hewing and flattening
Chopping and cleaning mortises
Drilling peg holes
Hollowing and shaping beams
Cutting tenons and joinery shoulders
Timber construction and restoration
Green woodworking and log building

Performance Tips

Keep blades razor sharp for efficient cutting
Maintain proper swing technique for axes and adzes
Use shear-paring cuts with slicks for smooth results
Lubricate augers and machine bearings
Use large wooden mallets for driving framing chisels

Proper technique yields professional-quality joinery and surface finishes.

6. Restoration of Vintage Timber Framing Tools

Most vintage framing tools restore beautifully and become fully functional.

Typical Restoration Steps

Remove rust with Evapo-Rust or rust erasers
Preserve maker’s marks
Regrind and hone edges carefully
Replace tool handles with high-quality hickory
Tighten wedges and ferrules on chisels
Tune boring machine mechanisms
Oil and wax wood components
Fabricate protective sheaths for sharp edges

Optional Upgrades

Custom-carved axe and adze handles
Polished broad axe cheeks
Restored boring machine seats and rails

Restoration Mistakes to Avoid

Removing excessive metal and altering geometry
Grinding with power tools (can ruin temper)
Using poor-quality replacement handles
Sanding away patina or stamped markings
Over-tightening mechanical components

A properly restored timber tool is both powerful and precise.

7. Collectability & Value

Vintage timber framing tools are extremely collectible due to their size, craftsmanship, and historical importance.

Typical Value Range

Framing chisels: $30–$100
Slicks: $75–$250+
Broad axes: $75–$250+
Ship or gutter adzes: $60–$200+
Boring machines: $100–$300+
Auger bits: $10–$30 each
Drawknives: $20–$60

Factors Affecting Value

Maker (Witherby, Swan, Underhill, Collins)
Size and rarity of the tool
Condition of steel and cutting edge
Originality of handle
Age and forging style
Historical provenance

Collectors especially seek:

Witherby slicks
Underhill broad axes
L.&I.J. White adzes and edge tools
Complete boring machines
Large sets of Swan framing chisels

8. Finding Manuals, Parts & Additional Resources

Documentation Sources

Timber framing manuals and joinery books
Historic tool catalogs
VintageMachinery.org
Traditional building and restoration forums
Woodworking guilds and timber framing associations

Replacement Parts

Hickory handles (for axes, slicks, chisels, adzes)
Wedges and ferrules
Boring machine parts (seats, bearings, screws)
Donor tools for hardware

Because timber tools are resilient, restoration parts are widely available.

9. Final Thoughts

Vintage timber framing tools represent the pinnacle of traditional woodworking craftsmanship. Built to shape massive timbers and cut precision joinery, these tools remain unmatched for durability, performance, and tactile working experience.

For woodworkers, they offer the ability to create authentic hand-cut joinery and heirloom structures.
For collectors, they embody the history and artistry of traditional carpentry.

A restored vintage timber framing tool is more than a tool—it is a connection to centuries of woodworking heritage.

Quick Reference Summary

Category	Details
Category	Vintage Timber Framing Tools
Era	1700s–1900s
Common Makers	Witherby, Swan, Collins, Underhill, Greenlee
Key Types	Broad axes, adzes, slicks, chisels, augers, boring machines
Materials	Forged steel, hickory handles, cast iron (boring machines)
Best Uses	Timber joinery, hewing, mortising, drilling
Rarity	Common to rare
Typical Value	$30–$300+
Restoration Difficulty	Moderate
Collectability	Very High

SEO Keywords

timber framing tools, vintage slick, broad axe, mortise chisel, boring machine, beam hewing tools, adze, drawknife, timber auger, hand-forged tools, tool restoration