Here's the image I said I'd post, no sense in posting dimensions, one should be built to suit the user...
Measure heel of palm to top of shoulder, then add a few inches. Useing one that is too short does hold danger, for yourself, ( I once shredded the armpit of a tee-shirt without realizing what was happening ) One unnecessarily long would require an increase in distance between stations. The paring end is a two inch chisel, the end grain chisel is 3/4's, traditional, but I might have opted for wider.
the intended use is in cutting the long large section pieces in a layup, too heavy to be brought up to horses while standing. A situation which is now (hydraulics and bridge cranes) all but a nonissue -
They do have advantages however, the distance which might seem a disadvantage, is much the inverse, as with a slick you can feel flat, or know through the tool how deep you are bellying. Leverage comes into play also, you can move more wood with less effort, both quickly and accurately.
I would not want to be without one.
