An old school tool, that is still as useful as it always was, yet more difficult to come by.
A froe is used for the controlled splitting (riving) of green wood. Typical uses are shingle making, splitting saplings for fences, and splitting blanks for furniture making or where specific uses such as mucial instrument or bow making requires the split timber to follow the grain for strength. In earlier days, they were even used to make siding.
The mechanical advantage of a 20" (508mm) long handle, along with a blade designed for controlled splitting, lets a user do quite accurate work after a bit of practice. The blade is 12" (305mm) long, 2 1/2" (63.5mm) deep and 5/16" (8mm) thick.
Basic instructions for use, including how to make a riving brake, are included.