If the words pjål, skjøve, or skavl mean anything to you, you’re in very fine company (and probably in Norway). In the US, the word “pjaal,” has stuck, referring to the Nordic ancestor of the modern handplane. Pjaal are excellent at smoothing rougher surfaces left by axe and adz and leave a smooth, slightly wavy surface depending on the shape of the iron.

We will begin at the forge making two smaller pjaals intended for slöjd furniture work and two different styles of blades. The blades will be heat-treated and ground, ready to make the wooden handles. We’ll use hand and power tools to shape birch into the handles, so make sure your axe and carving knife are sharp! When the blades are mounted, we will sharpen and hone the blades and look at how this tool is adjusted to cut correctly. As time allows, decorating or personalizing your pjaal is encouraged. A final surface treatment will be done. Students will go home with two tools ready for you to pjaal away.

Required Tools

• Safety glasses
• Cotton clothing
• Leather shoes/ boots

Optional Tools

• If you have a carving axe, mallet and knife, feel free to bring, but this is not necessary
• We have hammers and tongs in the forge for everyone, but feel free to bring your own. If you bring tongs, they need to hold ¼” flat stock and ½” square stock.
• Rasps or wood files