Here is a short video of someone peeling a log for a log home using a tool called a spud. A spud is a long or short handled tool with a flat and dull head at the business end.
The reason for using a dull tool is to prevent the edge from digging into the wood. When debarking a log you generally just want to remove the bark. There are some that will use a draw knife. A draw knife is a blade with two handles on either side of the blade. When using a draw knife one would straddle the log and pull the draw knife towards you.
