To and Froe

Here I prepare to cut a spoon blank from a white oak balk.  The tools that I am using are called a froe and mallet.  The froe is in my left hand and consists of an iron blade attached to a two foot handle.  The froe is driven into the balk using the mallet and then one pulls on the froe handle to split the balk.  (Sorry about the hair.  It was windy that day . . .)