A drawknife is a blade 20-30 cm long with two handles at the ends. Pull toward you — it shaves. Simple as a wheel. Just as brilliant.
What For
Strip bark from a log — 10 minutes. Flatten a board — 5 minutes. Make a shovel handle — 15 minutes. All without electricity, noise, or dust (well, almost).
Amish Secret
A good drawknife passes father to son. Carbon steel blade sharpened every evening — 10 minutes on a stone. Hickory handles (America's strongest wood). One drawknife lasts 50-80 years.
An electric planer does the same faster. But it costs $200, lasts 5-7 years, is loud enough to stop a cow from giving milk, and needs an outlet. Drawknife costs $40, lasts forever, stays silent, and needs only hands.