that is an excellent technique. thanks! i want to try that.

i think something changed fundamentally with the introduction of the saw. the repetition of the cutting edge broke an intimate link with the wood. it's like a war by attrition. phelps makes a point along these lines.

it's the idea of cutting straight down, across the grain that is so radical about this. beyond just roughing out with the axe, to get closer, then closer, then closer to the line and to vertical, chop by chop.