An adze with an iron blade attached to a wood handle with a thong made from hide. The blade is an axe head of European origin that has been has reshaped by cutting deep indentations along both sides, and a groove has been cut into the upper surface and adjacent edges to hold the thong that secures the head to the handle . A manufacturer's mark stamped into the original axe head is partially obscured by the groove cut into the upper surface. The handle has been skillfully shaped to provide a secure grip and balance. The end of the handle where it is attached to the blade has been cut aslant and has an elongated hole through which the hide thong repeatedly passes. The thong lies in the groove on the head, protecting it while the adze was in use.