Timeless Maine Craftsmanship.

Hand-Hewn Beams, Mantels, and Live-Edge Cutting Boards.

A Brief History of Hand-Hewing

Maine Hand-Hewn Mantels

I hand-hew round logs into square beams using only an axe. I also carry reclaimed barn beams from the 1800s. Call or email to set up an appointment to visit my barn workshop in Cumberland to find your perfect mantel from 50 + beams in stock.

Hand-Hewn Structural Beams

  • Structural Beam Process: Part I

  • How we turned a client's logs into structurally-rated hand-hewn beams.
  • Raw Materials

  • In this case I used the client's own logs from the house site.
  • Timeline

  • Using only an axe and a broad axe, I hewed thirty logs into beams in a month.
  • Beams met structural engineer's recommended dimensions.

  • Large Beams were Hewn On Site

  • This minimized transportation costs.
  • Client Beams included Pine, Cherry, and Oak

Structural Beam Process: Part I

How we turned a client's logs into structurally-rated hand-hewn beams.

Raw Materials

In this case I used the client's own logs from the house site.

Timeline

Using only an axe and a broad axe, I hewed thirty logs into beams in a month.

Beams met structural engineer's recommended dimensions.

Large Beams were Hewn On Site

This minimized transportation costs.

Client Beams included Pine, Cherry, and Oak

Testimonial: Jeff Tillinghast, Owner and Principal of First Chair Carpentry, LLC

  • Structural Beam Process: Part II

  • NeLMA sent a field grader who rated every hand-hewn beam for structural purposes. They all passed.
  • Arborist Moved Smaller Beams

  • The same arborist who took down the trees also brought the logs to my shop and delivered them back to client.
  • Beams were put up Green by the Contractor

  • They dried for six months prior to sheetrocking.
  • I Can Hand-Hew Any Size Beam

  • Small beams, large beams, sometimes even curved beams.
  • Beams included collar ties, trusses, and curved oak posts.

  • It's Amazing What You Can Do with an Axe

Structural Beam Process: Part II

NeLMA sent a field grader who rated every hand-hewn beam for structural purposes. They all passed.

Arborist Moved Smaller Beams

The same arborist who took down the trees also brought the logs to my shop and delivered them back to client.

Beams were put up Green by the Contractor

They dried for six months prior to sheetrocking.

I Can Hand-Hew Any Size Beam

Small beams, large beams, sometimes even curved beams.

Beams included collar ties, trusses, and curved oak posts.

It's Amazing What You Can Do with an Axe

Testimonial: Michelle and Tom Keleher, Architect/Homeowners in Harpswell, Maine

Important Note about Custom Projects:

  • Hand-Hewing Process

  • Or, how to turn a round tree into a square beam using only an axe. (Photos by Brian Threlkeld)
  • Marking ends and running chalk lines.

  • Hewing to the line.

  • Jogging out billets between cuts.

  • Smoothing with broad axe.

  • Keep craft alive.

Hand-Hewing Process

Or, how to turn a round tree into a square beam using only an axe. (Photos by Brian Threlkeld)

Marking ends and running chalk lines.

Hewing to the line.

Jogging out billets between cuts.

Smoothing with broad axe.

Keep craft alive.

Testimonial: Doug and Mela Heestand

Hand-Hewn Trencher Bowls

Roughed out with an adze, these traditional bowls serve as beautiful centerpieces or show-stopping fruit bowls.

Hand-Hewn Trencher Bowls

  • Hand-Hewn Organic Form Pine Trencher Bowl #4
    Hand-Hewn Organic Form Pine Trencher Bowl #4
    Regular price
    Sold out
    Sale price
    $199.00
  • Hand-Hewn Organic Form Pine Trencher Bowl #3
    Hand-Hewn Organic Form Pine Trencher Bowl #3
    Regular price
    Sold out
    Sale price
    $225.00
  • Hand-Hewn Organic Form Pine Trencher Bowl #2
    Hand-Hewn Organic Form Pine Trencher Bowl #2
    Regular price
    Sold out
    Sale price
    $225.00
  • Hand-Hewn Organic Form Pine Trencher Bowl #1
    Hand-Hewn Organic Form Pine Trencher Bowl #1
    Regular price
    Sold out
    Sale price
    $199.00
  • Hand-Hewn Organic Form Cherry Trencher Bowl
    Hand-Hewn Organic Form Cherry Trencher Bowl
    Regular price
    Sold out
    Sale price
    $399.00
  • Hand-Hewn Walnut Trencher Bowl
    Hand-Hewn Walnut Trencher Bowl
    Regular price
    Sold out
    Sale price
    $129.00

Renaissance Timber, LLC Values:

Craftsmanship, Sustainability, Generosity, Hospitality.

Steve Smith, Owner of Renaissance Timber, LLC

Hewing Broad Axe

Location

Contact Info and Hours:

renaissancetimberllc@gmail.com
207-370-5205 (Google Voice)

278 Tuttle Road
Cumberland, Maine

I’m often out in the woods hewing, or watching my boys during the summer or after school. For this reason, shop hours are by appointment only. Please call or email so we can set up a time to meet.

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