The Adze: What It Is and How to Use it
Learn how to use an adze for woodworking, survival, and bushcraft. Discover safe techniques for carving, hollowing, and shaping with Grim Workshop’s Adze Tool.
How to Use an Adze
What Is an Adze?
An adze is one of the oldest and most versatile cutting tools in human history. Imagine a hammer or hatchet—but with the blade set perpendicular to the handle instead of in line with it. That design turns it into a scooping, shaving, and shaping tool used for woodworking, crafting shelters, hollowing out bowls, or building primitive tools.
At its core, the adze bridges the gap between axe and chisel—it’s meant to remove thin layers of material with controlled strokes.
Why the Adze Exists
Early toolmakers discovered that a sideways-mounted blade allowed them to carve curved surfaces and hollow shapes—something a straight axe couldn’t do well. In survival settings, an adze becomes invaluable for tasks like:
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Shaping wooden handles, paddles, or spear shafts
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Hollowing bowls, troughs, or traps
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Squaring beams or cutting notches for joinery
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Crafting shelters and smoothing rough-cut timbers
- Digging out canoes or boat hulls from a single piece of wood
Whether you’re bushcrafting, woodworking, or just want an edge that’s good for controlled cuts, the adze gives you precision and power with minimal effort.
How to Use an Adze
1. Choose Your Grip or Mount
You can use an adze blade two ways:
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By hand: Hold it between thumb and forefinger, edge facing down, and use short, scooping motions for detailed shaping.
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Mounted: Lashed to a solid stick (roughly forearm length) using cordage or wire through the lashing holes. Mounting transforms it into a full-sized cutting tool with more leverage for carving, hollowing, or removing bark.
2. Establish Your Work Angle
Unlike a knife or axe, the adze works best when the edge glances off the surface.
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Shaping: Keep the blade at a 45-degree angle and pull toward you in smooth arcs.
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Hollowing: Use short, overlapping chops across the grain, then scrape smooth.
Always start with light strokes—you can take more off, but you can’t put wood back on.
3. Control and Efficiency
Let the weight of your swing or pressure of your wrist do most of the work. Keep your strokes consistent, avoid hitting directly into the wood, and pause to clear chips as you go.
4. Maintenance
Keep your edge honed with a fine file or sharpening card. A dull adze tears wood instead of cutting it cleanly, which makes your work harder and less precise. A quick strop on leather or even cardboard keeps the edge ready for action.
Adze Safety Tips
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Always work with the edge facing away from your body.
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When mounted, check lashings often—loose mounts can twist during use.
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Wear gloves when carving larger pieces for grip and to prevent blisters.
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Secure your workpiece; never hold wood between your legs when chopping.
DIY Adze Mounting Ideas
If you’re improvising in the field:
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Use green wood for the handle—it’s flexible and easier to carve a notch for the tool head.
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Lash with paracord, natural bark fiber, or wire and wedge the head tight using small splinters.
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Add a cross-wrap of tape or cordage to reinforce your binding if you plan extended use.
Complete Your Kit
Pair your adze with:
FAQ: Using an Adze
Q: What’s the difference between an adze and an axe?
An axe cuts into wood with the blade in line with the handle—an adze cuts across the surface with the blade at a right angle. The adze is better for carving, shaping, and hollowing.
Q: Can I use Grim’s Adze Tool without a handle?
Yes. It’s designed to be used by hand like a carving blade or mounted for heavier work. Its compact design gives you both options.
Q: What kind of wood can I shape with an adze?
Softwoods like pine, cedar, and birch are easiest for beginners. Hardwoods require more patience but give smoother, more durable results.
Q: How do I keep the adze sharp?
Use a small file or sharpening card after each session. Keep the bevel even and strop to remove burrs.
Q: Can the adze cut metal or stone?
No. It’s made for wood, bark, and natural materials—using it on hard surfaces will dull or damage the edge.
Q: Is it safe to mount an adze on any stick?
Choose solid, non-cracked wood about wrist-thick. Test your lashings before using to ensure it won’t shift during swings.
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