Hand hewn beams were fallen logs, hewn into shape using a broad axe known in its time as an ‘adze’, which lends to the term of hand hewn sometimes being referred to as ‘hand adzed’. In the past, hand-hewing a log into a wooden beam with an axe was the only method. With the invention of steam power, rough sawn beams became a more available resource.
Historically, solid wood structures were built from the trees that were cut down by settlers in the process of clearing the land. Because many settlers didn’t have access to a nearby mill, building materials for structures were sourced from whatever was nearby. Much of the reclaimed wood from these old barns is an array of wood species. Nevertheless, rural structures built out of hand hewn beams are a testament to the settler way of life and the skill and hard work it took to survive on the frontier.
The result of hand-hewing a wooden beam is that the vintage wood showcases the axe marks and craftsmanship of the original artisan. Reclaimed hand hewn beams are on-of-a-kind pieces and will be a unique addition for your next project. These barn wood beams also have markings common to reclaimed wood, such as nail holes and mortise pockets. This adds more character to an already interesting antique beam.
Contact us to ask about pricing or learn more about installing a hand hewn barn beam for your next project! We have a variety of customizations available to fit in your interior design style.
