Hello,
There are so many variations of broadaxe that if you give a bit more specific description on the one you have that would make it easier to give some pointed feed back. A lot of times the socket or eye itself is angled and so coming straight off of that will give you knuckle clearance.
I can say it's going to take a fair bit of effort so using the driest wood you have will pay off in the end, I have mine roughed out in form and then dried inside for at least two years. It's just another way of saying don't rush it.
Greetings,
Don Wagstaff
