I have an ash branch, about 5 cm in diameter and 2 meters long that I would like to make smooth. Right now there's still the bark on it. I wonder what tool would be easiest to use? I would like to use a hand tool, not a machine. I was thinking a rasp, but I don't know which kind is best. Which tool do you think would be best to use?
The bark can be removed with any sharp tool. I recently removed bark from some black walnut and cherry log sections.
I used a hand chisel and a rubber mallet.
For this small diameter a sharp strong pocket knife should also work.
Once the bark is removed, you may be surprised at how smooth the sap wood may be. Give it a try.
A traditional tool for removing wood from a branch is a drawknife, or spokeshave if you have them.
A rasp will work, but then you may not like the texture of the surface left by the rasp.