text: what is an adz?   i think you mean "adze."  it's a tool: the tool known as the adze [pronounced adds] serves for smoothing rough-cut wood in hand woodworking. generally, the user stands astride a board or log and swings the adze downwards towards their feet, chipping off a piece of wood, and walking backwards as they go, leaving a relatively smooth surface behind. however, in general usage, the adze can be used for other cutting operations.  the head of the adze is oriented to the haft like a hoe, or plane, and not like an axe, whose cutting blade would be perpendicular to the blade of an adze.