If a square blank from splitting out a bunch from an ash log, I use a round bottom plane first to get the blank to a decent size. Then I move to a vice mounted piece of steel that I drilled holes in just back from the edge they go from 5/8ths to 1/2 to 3/8th to 1/4 in By pulling the wood blanks through the holes on an angle I can shave the blanks down and taper them as well. It doesn't take that long.
I have barely used the 1/4 in hole because angling the blank in the larger holes works just as well.
Run the ramrod through some sandpaper held in my hand, and I'm done.
