How to make a Viking Age wooden comb

Step 6 Drawing the Board

OK now you've got a split board that is to thick to do anything with so you need to start drawing it or thining it, I like a draw knife which is pictured.  You could use any of several tools most of which are historiclly acurate.  An adze is a great tool, I have one but it is for squaring logs and far to big for this project (guess I need to make one of those too.)  A bearded axe would do the trick but I don't have the control with them, I've seen people who do, it takes practice and determination.  A plane would do it or even a sander.  I just like my draw knife, it was my grandfathers and he taught me how to use one when I was about 5, I was never allowed to use it alone but it went a long way toward inspiring my love for hand tools.

So vice or clamp you board and thin it down to a uniform 1/4 inch. 

Taper the end to form the blade of the comb, spines are easy to make and you can use scrap for them but the blade takes work and practice.  The teeth will be scraped and sawed in line with the grain.  Actually the grain will become the teeth.