: Has anyone ever split their ribs (with a froe or wedge) instead of
: ripping them on a saw?

I just split a set out of vine maple. Interesting shapes I got. We will see how the bending goes. I'm following in someone elses footsteps - not the first to use vine maple.
I split the log (in rib length) using a shingle hatchet thenused a draw knife and spoke shave to smooth to size.

Foster