Here is a link to the translated version of a German website describing the German hewing technique. Come prepared for bad english, if you don't understand German grammar than this will not make sense to you at all!
http://translate.google.com/translate?js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=1&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bruderschaft-zur-rose.de%2Fbruderschaft_zur_rose009.htm&sl=de&tl=en
These pictures shows very clearly the traditional tools that the German carpenters would use, namely the
bundaxt or notching axe, and the
breitbeil or braod axe, specifically a goosewing broad axe with a very short offset handle.
