Draw Knife Recommendation Needed

[DrRod]

One other thought. I recall that when peeling the bark off my posts the biggest hassle was when the blade dug into the wood or the bark. It may be one of those counterintuitive things but the job might go easier with a dull blade. The trick is to get it under the bark at the end and then just pull it through -- you aren't really looking to cut anything, more like progressive prying. So you might look around for a used one [there are hundreds on eBay, many under $10] and give it a test run. I've always been surprised at how expensive a draw knife is, much more than any hand tool I can think of.

 

[PhysAssist]

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.

I sure bet it would, and Oosik is a better man than i am, although l used to be more hands on than I am now, back when I was younger, stronger, and had more muscles and energy.

Now I can usually also afford to spend a buck or two to save myself from firing up my carpal tunnel and rotator cuff tears- none of which were an issue then- but are arguably a consequence of said activities.

 

[/pine]

I have been told that they won't last long if you don't let them dry out first. Ed

I've used fresh cut black locust poles and a lot of them started growing...!

 

[oosik]

PhysAssist,

No you are wrong - I'm definitely no better than you. Its just that at the location where we built the cabin there was no other way to get the bark off the logs. I should add - these "logs" were standing straight & tall only a week or so before I debarked them.
And perhaps the most important fact - this took place in 1976, 40 years ago.

The safety note is because a friend came to help one weekend and almost completely removed his knee cap with the draw knife. One dirty, sweaty old T-shirt and several wraps of McGuyver tape kept him from bleeding to death until we could drive him to the hospital in Palmer, AK.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

We always just leave the bark on.

 

[PhysAssist]

PhysAssist,

No you are wrong - I'm definitely no better than you. Its just that at the location where we built the cabin there was no other way to get the bark off the logs. I should add - these "logs" were standing straight & tall only a week or so before I debarked them.
And perhaps the most important fact - this took place in 1976, 40 years ago.

The safety note is because a friend came to help one weekend and almost completely removed his knee cap with the draw knife. One dirty, sweaty old T-shirt and several wraps of McGuyver tape kept him from bleeding to death until we could drive him to the hospital in Palmer, AK.

Yah, in '76, I prolly could've done 'em by hand too.

I was going to suggest either hard cap knee pads:

Hard Cap Gel Knee Pads

or leg guards:

Used U.S. Military Surplus Shinguards, Black - 36, Military Sporting Goods at Sportsman's Guide

Both of which have saved me a number of times.