Hi,
there is a web site link referenced a time or two on this web site which would indicate that mortising axes were used primarily in timber framing. Though the tool here- a bisaiguë - is used without an extended wooden handle. This is simply the French version of a kreuzaxt. [email:http://www.en.charpentiers.culture.fr/tools/paulduboisstoolbox/thesecretsofatoolbox]http://www.en.charpentiers.culture.fr/tools/paulduboisstoolbox/thesecretsofatoolbox[/email]
Greetings

Don Wagstaff