What is this?

The adze is a cutting tool shaped somewhat like an axe that dates as far back as the stone age. It can be any tool with a sharp cutting edge. Adzes were used by ancient carpenters for smoothing or carving wood in hand woodworking, similar to an axe, but with the cutting edge perpendicular to the handle.

The adze is depicted in ancient Egypt art from the Old Kingdom (is the name given to the period in the 3rd millennium B.C.) onward. Adzes are still used today, usually made from steel with wooden handles. In most areas they have been largely replaced by the powered-plane and the sawmill, but in semi-industrial regions adzes are still popular. Coopers, chair makers and wainwright also use specialized, short-handled adzes.