Is all that steel really necessary? Being instructed to sprinkle so many Simpson fasterners onto a seemingly finished and approved design sure seem to blow the wind out of the sails of the builder who has gone thru much effort to design and build a tru timber frame. I don't see why PROPER wood joinery wouldn't be enough. My 1866 frame is built just as you describe your house/cabin, less any metal fasteners and is still solid as a rock in western MA.
Shaun
