Pjål are medieval woodworking tools that leave a distinctive, slightly wavy surface on the wood. They are excellent at smoothing lines left by axe and adze, and could be considered the Nordic ancestor of the modern hand plane. Those with a keen eye may recognize them from the stave churches and other medieval wooden buildings in Norway. Though pjål are not as well known outside Scandinavia, they are still being used today and are highly effective hand tools. There are many different kinds of pjål used for all kinds of woodworking. In this course with guest instructor Roald Renmælmo, we will focus on the most common type used by house carpenters and log builders. Although it seems to be a “simple” tool, there are many details that are important to make a pjål that works properly. Roald will provide a custom-made blade and material for the handle. This is an opportunity to learn from a renowned expert in traditional tools as part of this special week at North House. This course is best suited for students with some hand tool woodworking experience.

Required Tools

• Hand plane for flattening and dimensioning
• Small hand plane for chamfering
• Woodworking Chisels, 1”, ½” and ¼”
• Mallet for chisels
• Knife for woodworking, sløyd knife
• Hand saw for fine work, backsaw or frame saw
• Wood rasp

Optional Tools

• Tang rasp, for knife tang, or for pjål tang
• ¼” navar or drill bit with brace