Medieval Carpentry Tools

Those interested in medieval carpentry tools can learn a lot from the illustrations of this era. During medieval times, artists depicted things they saw everyday. Therefore one can reasonably assume that the depictions of tools were close to what carpenters actually used in the Middle Ages. Many of the tools used during this time period continued to be used for centuries and some of them still are to this day. It wasn't until the Industrial Revolution that tools became more high-tech. They were sometimes modified for greater efficiency but retained many characteristics of the original design.


Axes and hatchets were commonly used tools in medieval times. They were used to fell trees and make cuts in timber. The felling axe was designed to take down trees, while the broad axe allowed for precise wood shaping and square cutting. The broad axe has beveling on one side of only, while the felling axe is beveled on both sides. The hatchet is a smaller version of the axe and was used for smaller wood pieces and more detailed items. A relative of the axe is the chisel, another common tool for medieval carpenters.

The chisel was used to make holes and detail edges. Gouges are chisels that have curved cutting edges. A plane is a chisel mounted in a wooden block designed for making smooth edges. Planes were used as far back as the ancient Romans. Saws were also a popular tool in medieval times, just as they are today. The basic handheld saw used a blade of iron mounted on a wood handle. Mallets and hammers were also crafted from iron and wood and were also commonly used during this period of time. As you can see many of the tools used in the Middle Ages are the same tools used today.

The subject of medieval carpentry tools is a fascinating one. If you are pursuing a career in carpentry it is always helpful to know a little about the history of your craft. Maybe you are a student, or the parent of a student researching medieval times. Doing a report on the medieval tools used for carpentry is a creative idea that can give you a new look at this era. What's amazing is the knowledge these early carpenters had. Many of the tools they developed have changed very little throughout the ages.

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