Answered that on the other thread Don - It's not more work it's less, and sapwood is a liability and an invitation for rot, even Cruck blades are hewn flat on all four sides.
It's all has been, and is being done. There are many iterations of joining round work. Esthetics' and familiarity are what drive the chosen method.
Mo - ask your new Sensei at ACBA, there are few other people with the round work chops to be found.
