Hi Richard et al,

It wouldn't be correct to think that there is only one way to convert a log to suit a specific application.

I have retrieved a digi pic from the Hume & Son photo archive taken of the rear face of an elm cruck blade (circa 1350-90) taken in Blewbury, South Oxfordshire (formerly Berkshire).



This picture demonstrates that the cruck blade was hewn from a relatively small tree with the direction of hewing showing that it was positioned with both foot and apex facing upwards and hence possibly supported across two trestles. It would be important to recognise that the rear face of this cruck blade is not a reference or jointing face but it was part of the open cruck truss that was seen by the occupant from the high end of the hall and so would have required a reasonably good finish in order not to offend him.

For more on how to make a cruck frame check out the recently completed Harcourt Cruck Frame.

Ken Hume