Some interesting tidbits
http://www.colonialsense.com/How-To_Guides/Restoration/Shaker_Shingles.php"
Froe: A long blade (6 to 12 inches, or more), wedge-shaped in section, with an eye on one end for the insertion of a perpendicular wood handle or lever. Used to rive bolts of wood into thinner units, such as shingles, fence pales, basket splints, or lath.
Glut: A large wooden wedge used to split large sections of logs apart after they have been cracked with iron or steel wedges. Typically 4 to 6 inches thick, and 12 inches long, or more. Best made of durable, heavy wood, but may be made of any wood at hand. Disposable.
Meant to be driven with a heavy root maul. Will shatter if struck with a steel sledgehammer.
Mallet: Wooden club,
often made of the root mass of dogwood, elm, or hickory. Used to drive the froe into a bolt to begin riving. Usually weighs 3 to 6 pounds.
Root maul: Similar to the mallet but much larger (20 to 30 pounds). The root maul is made from the root cluster of a hickory tree. The tree should be about 6 inches in diameter near the soil line. In making a root maul, the first step is to excavate the earth around the root cluster, tight against the trunk. Next, the surface roots that radiate from the trunk are cut off, and the tree is bent over to expose and cut the taproot. The striking end is shaped with an axe, and the handle shaped with an axe and drawknife. The root maul is used to drive hardwood gluts to split a log."