View Full Version : coppice pole's
mr dazzler
26-10-2007, 20:49
Yesterday was a real nice day. The kids were as good as gold. I acquired 2 excellent bargains from Tony Murland, and came home with a superb supply of cut hazel coppice pole's from a abandoned coppice near Needham Market. The tools were a suffolk pattern billhook, a beauty; also a fantastic blacksmith made 10 inch froe also in excellent condition, paid £40 the pair. I have been wanting a medium sized froe for a long time, I finally found it yesterday. The modern ones arent taper'd like a wedge, this one is, and its forged as strong as a tank, probably well over a hundred years old. Then after the successful trip to the tool shop I proceeded to a beautiful peaceful woodland to cut some hazel (not with the new hook, it needed some refurb but not much it is in top condition) The stools had been left for 6 or 7 years and some were near 40 foot high, but due to the dense underwood growth there was not many side branches. The biggest poles were about 4 inch diasmeter, plus a variety of others down to an inch. So I will be using these to build some rustic furniture, a bit of a departure for me as I once thought rustic furniture was "a bit daft" :lmao:
I would be interested to see what you make...
fred gordon
26-10-2007, 20:53
Lucky you. Glad you had a nice day. I spent today with two friends hauling firewood out of a Forestry Commission woodland. Their firewood permits are great value.:D
mr dazzler
26-10-2007, 23:05
Come on then Fred lad, tell us more about these permit's :D
Is it decent hardwood stock how much does it cost etc
I only basically cut one complete stool yesterday, twas all I could manage to take on an astra roof rack (no 4x4 or trailer, had to haul it out by hand as it was slightly inaccessible. But the owner is a real nice chap, there may well be more where that came from :) I am looking for big beech (20" diam) to hew welsh style 2 1/2 inch thick seat's and get away from doing lanimated one's.
mr dazzler
26-10-2007, 23:08
I would be interested to see what you make...
Have you ever made any furniture Jon?
I have never made furniture, well... except for a three leg stool I turned on my lathe.
But, I have a few chairs rolling around in my old hollow gourd. Thanks to you guys and Eric, of course. When they are ready to reveal themselves (and I get over this cold) they will spring forth.