Simple post tonight – folks asked about the cleaver my kids were using to split pin stock last week. https://pfollansbee.wordpress.com/2012/03/21/you-can-never-have-too-many-pins/
It’s made by Wisconsin blacksmith Tom Latane; it was given to me many years ago by Jennie Alexander. Here it is:
and the view showing the spine:
and Tom’s mark on this one:
It works perfectly. Does exactly what it is meant to do, and beyond that is a treasure – wonderful workmanship as always from Tom. See his website here:
http://www.spaco.org/latane/TCLatane.htm
Thanks to Jennie for the gift. Thanks to Tom for the craftsmanship.
PETER FOLLANSBEE: JOINER’S NOTES 
The knife Peter shows here can be purchased for a reasonable price. Look it up on web under hacking knife. Peter could you post a close up of the modern Bohle American hacking knife I also sent you? See Fig. 4.43 in Make a Joinf Stool from a Tree. As you know I always try to suggest reasonably priced alternatives.This is not to criticize Tom Latane’s work. It is first rate but will be somewhat costly.
Jennie