Foot adze cutting edge

[RobSC]

I have been thinking about how the early settlers hewed their own logs into timbers. I was looking around at maybe finding a foot adze to play with. Maybe finding an old one to restore. The ones I've seen seem to have a rounded cutting edge like an axe or a straight edge like a chisel.Both have the bevel on the top. Are the rounded cutting edge adze tools ones that were once straight and have become rounded by heavy use or being sharpened incorrectly?  Or do they have a particular use? Was also wondering what angle one would be sharpened.

[btulloh]

Most foot adzes have a slightly rounded profile a leave a gently scalloped surface. The profile keeps the corners from digging in.  There are many different profiles, especially from the ship building trade. 

30 degrees would be about right for the bevel. Sometimes a little more or less depending on the use and preference.