Post #399378 by Limbo Lizard on Wed, Aug 6, 2008 11:23 AM

Seems I remember that the Polynesians used carefully controlled and tended fire and/or coals to hollow out the bulk of their canoes, then finished the carving with tools. Don't know if that might help speed up the process, or if modern power tools easily trump that method. All I know is that's a lot of wood to remove!

Edit: found this on the Polynesian Cultural Center site:

"After a straight and well-rounded tree was selected, craftsman cut it, trimmed the branches, and then spread red-hot rocks along the tree trunk to slowly burn the area and prepare it for the hollowing out process. Builders would then chip away at the trunk with sharpened rock chisels and adzes. After the hollowing out process, the trunk was then dragged to the village for smoothing with pumice stones and leaves that provided special oils. When fully completed, kukui or candle nut oil was rubbed over the entire canoe to waterproof it."

[ Edited by: Limbo Lizard 2008-08-06 11:47 ]