Hand splitting Green Ash firewood at night , Axemanship.

[@d.k.8384]

Looooove the ambience in this vid. The crackling fire in the background, the moody lighting, with the bugs occasionally glowing up and two blokes with a passion for axes talking about splitting wood. Doesn't get much better, and makes me wish I was there. Keep up the vids!!!

[@BuckinBillyRaySmith]

Copy that … love wins …

[@stevetheriault4164]

LOVE that your cat is feeling better and eating again

[@BuckinBillyRaySmith]

Yes

[@earlrigney1783]

You are doing it right, Buckin'! Got it right with the Big fella, eating right, working hard, being honest, being Kind and Relaxing with Friends and family. Leaving a trail of positivity wherever you have been, Plus enjoying your Cat 😺! Keep up the great work!

[@BuckinBillyRaySmith]

Love ya crazy earl

[@Jimmy-372]

I like cuffin a splittin axe here in PA however, sure am happy for my 22T log splitter. Used to do 15 cord a year by hand . . . At 50 years young, my body just doesn't allow it anymore. Thank you Buckin, for all you do. Have learned so much about notching, wedging, and falling in general. You're a good man. Keep sharing, who you are, with the community

[@BuckinBillyRaySmith]

Love to you and your jimmy

[@leonschufletowski8874]

Buckin. Great video. 2 men talking and splitting wood, fire going. Teaching as you are swinging the wood bullet. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Love you man ❤

[@pyroman6000]

Ash tends to get ROCK hard when it dries. That's why it splits better, then- there's no give to it, it either splits, or it laughs at you. Usually, it splits very nicely- and often without having to hit it that hard. BUT, if you get a knot... I've never gotten stuck as bad as I did in an Ash knot. Took 2 axes, 2 saws, a sledge hammer, and a splitting wedge to get it out- and it broke one saw blade, and got my wedge stuck so bad, getting my axe out that I had to cut it out! That thing was like an iron fist, gripping my axe with everything it had. Dry Ash is also difficult to cut, the saw just wants to skip off. However, it makes up for those flaws by being excellent firewood- a good choice for pretty much any use. Nice looking, too- for those wood guys who also like to mill or turn. Thanks to the damn Ash borer beetle, there's a ton of it dead standing, just crying out to be cut and split. As long as it stays upright, and sheds much of it's bark, it can remain sound for years- seasoned on the root, lol. Just as an added bonus, it smells nice when it burns, too. This, apple, sugar maple, and smoothbark hickory are on my shortlist of "I'll never say no to" woods.

[@thehammerstraplineproducts]

All of are ash has died down here northern PA. I’ve been cutting and splitting tons of it. Splits like nothing when it’s dead and dried. Great video! Stay happy and God bless!

[@BuckinBillyRaySmith]

this is what ihear

[@joshuajohnson4396]

I could watch this stuff all day. THANKS guys

[@BeaverTownOutdoors]

Hey Buckin’ glad to see your little buddy is still with you, and he looks like he’s doing real good. He must’ve just missed you! Love Wins!

[@kennethnevel3263]

I have cut a lot of ash in Pa . Ash splits very easy because of the straight grain and will burn green in a camp fire too , one of the few woods that will green , has a sweet smell when burning and leaves very little light ash's in stove also. Be careful cutting ash it will barber chair when falling , must cut it all the off when it starts going or it will split up from the stump and out to the side about 15 to 20 feet up in the air and come crashing down at the cutter and the butt goes to the back of the stump that far too . Only safe place when this happens is far to the side and it is going fall to one side of the stump or the other and that is not known till it breaks off the top . I have had this happen to me a few times . Leaning ash trees are the most dangerous as some times you can not cut them fast enough when they start to go and then it splits up from the stump . Best to bore cut the back side if in doubt and then cut the very back that is holding it from falling that is safer and will not split a good log . Also most all of the ash here in Pa has died from the ash bore Beatle some years ago and is standing dead every where now and is stump rotting and falling over or tops breaking out and falling , very dangerous near the ash now , some cutters will not even cut the dead ash I have heard . Be careful with ash , it can kill or hurt you quick as the dead branch,s fly when falling them also . Looks like you had a great trip. Be Safe and keep looking up for the Widow Maker .

[@Piledriver2235]

Same here in SW Pa sir. Also If it standing dead with the bark falling off, I just avoid it. Will seem sound on the bottom, but can explode over head cause it seems the beetle makes the tree brittle about 15 feet up

[@jeffc9354]

Awesome video buckin love the videos love the wood Bullet

[@benhowe5506]

Gee I'd love to pull up a stump and chin wag with you gents, that fire cackling and inice Beveridge is all i need to pass a few hours. It's fantastic to see the friendship you guys have. And just quietly i believe your cat was suffering from a broken heart when you were gone Buckin, and now all that has changed. Love wins again friends.

[@BuckinBillyRaySmith]

you actually might be right

[@megamike4357]

I split a lot of ash with a maul. It splits pretty easy until it's over 20 inches across. I agree that it splits easier frozen.

[@donovan3737]

Always love watching your videos buckin. I’ve learned multiple things as a new tree guy just enjoying your videos. Your a good man, hope to see you in the Kootenays some day! Take care brother

[@BuckinBillyRaySmith]

Right on

[@paulgreco2188]

Thanks for the video...that looks like black ash...good burning...love this content!!! Tinman and Buckin!

[@BuckinBillyRaySmith]

Thx Paul

[@timbanwell1756]

Finally we get see Buckin split the hard woods. In this exciting episode a fairly straight round of Ash gets called snotty. Wait till you find one with a big dirty knot.

[@Kelsey_Many]

I'm from Vermont in the US and we have the same trees here. Ash, elder, nasty big birch that just cannot be split by hand. And I use a 12 pound maul. I've been envious watching him split fir all day long by hand with an axe haha

[@jusarson7237]

@@Kelsey_Many Ash in Vermont is tough? Here in England im able to slit a full cord of Ash with a small slittin axe like it's nothing.

[@BuckinBillyRaySmith]

@@Kelsey_Many I’ll come give ya a hand with yer birch

[@BuckinBillyRaySmith]

We have fir that is much more difficult than this. This ash was fun

[@timbanwell1756]

I have a 70ft Ash to come down in my garden (Ash dieback) only 6 ft from my neighbours new kitchen, I will be getting some of it milled (for axe handles, bows staves and maybe a table) and the rest is firewood. To be hand split by me.

[@ethicalaxe]

It is so fun to work a new timber! The novelty aspect of trees and the outdoors is just beautiful. Every time you pop open a round you're adventuring into new fiber never before seen by human eyes!

[@dangilbertville2577]

I watched the previous episode where you were cutting the Ash Trees down behind the house. Looked like the Emerald Ash Borer got those trees last year or before so they were at least partially seasoned. With the wood being interesting, what are your thoughts on having a slightly different profile for hardwoods I have found your chain sharpening vids interesting and useful. I am not an experimenter (I might do a tree every other year) but do you think a chip dump in the middle of the "C" would help on a regular round filed chain? Have fun and be safe.

[@matthewgagne9603]

Ash man love it. Live in southern most point of Ontario. Finding ash regrowing. Old stumps coming back. Found on tree I made into a chainsaw Christmas tree. Just like yours buckin. The tree died from EAB and regrew around its self. Homeowner wanted it gone . Tried to convince them to leave it, but looks pretty sweet in my workshop.

[@stevenboughner7255]

Two good friends working together, just doesn't get any better.

[@pilkpulk8284]

GOOD MORNING BUCKIN! have a great day brother! love ya!

[@pilkpulk8284]

@@MATT.MAN-PEACE-LOVE matt man!! thank you. hope you doing well too and have a great day sir.

[@Piledriver2235]

Elm that has stood dead, or laid long enough for the bark to fall off splits pretty nice. If green with the bark on it, it's just a stringy mess to split. I usually drop and cut it into rounds, then split it the next year when the bark is falling off, then easy peezy!

[@pyroman6000]

It's interesting watching someone like Loggin Logan split dead dry Elm vs fresh cut green elm. Does just as you say! Also, the red variety seems to split more cleanly than the American Elm.

[@woodboss270]

A touch of frozen has a way to make Elm and Ash POP. Deep frozen has given me problems... but anyways after a year of seasoned it's all worth the long hot burn in the stove!

[@levixg1085]

should come to Australia and try splitting some gum trees they are a bit more fun most of the times. great vid keep it up.

[@jamiebarkingspider5419]

Thanks!

[@BuckinBillyRaySmith]

thx james

[@scubaseppy]

In my experience the faster you get to it after you Buck the easier it splits. You can burn Green Ash wet, it won’t burn as hot but it won’t creosote your chimney like burning most other woods green.

[@tazman-kennyfuller]

Great split session with you and the Tinman around the fire just swingin axes and shooting the breeze. Love it all. Thanks Buckin. 🌲❤️🌲👊🪓

[@curtislongseth9878]

Wind twisted trees are hard splitting too.

[@BuckinBillyRaySmith]

You bet

[@martyrutter3630]

Nothing like doing what you love to do and even better to have a good friend there with you 👍👍

[@stevenboughner7255]

Dry Oaken wood keeps winter's chill away, but Ash wet or Ash dry will keep a Kings slippers warm and dry.

[@jbbolts]

Love this... you guys side by side look like a bear and a raccoon! lol

[@adamhippiebeard2981]

Nature's way could soon be obsolete, nature's way in a state of emergency, bring honor back to its natural state. Nature's way the key to everything. Peace on earth is all we are asking. If I was cutting in the woods, would I tell i was cutting the wood. No i was seeking some peace of mind focusing on the good from the arms of mother nature. You taught me this THANK YOU SO MUCH DUDE PEACE LOVE HARMONEY AND EVERYTHING FOR THE GOOD OF FAMILY.

[@brucenicov1224]

That stuff is wicked hard!! Had Buckin scratchin his head. Once it dries, it will burn really hot and clean.

[@Morpheen999]

Ash sure splits nice compared to Elm lol And yes when Ash is dry it makes your feel like Paul Bunyan

[@codyroger9581]

Our ash here in southern Ontario is straight grain and good splitting when green.. now they are mostly dead standing and dry… much harder to split by hand.. white ash is good burning, close btu to oak.

[@owenthrelfall5462]

Quick question, do you sharpen your axe and if so how often? I’ve got a Fiskar splitting axe and absolutely love it, bought it as it claims it’s indestructible and has a big warranty because I have a good reputation of breaking axes.

[@troppoeccessivo]

If you use it for splitting you don't need it to be that sharp, I split with one I sharpened twice in my life. I sharpen very often the ones I use for cutting, but that's a very different story and I use them with small wood.

[@owenthrelfall5462]

@@troppoeccessivo okay thank you I use it for splitting.

[@BuckinBillyRaySmith]

i keep it sharp always maintain , so that i can grab wood with it , i split quite different than most i have found , there is no write or wrong , i maintain my edge . i dont let it get dull then sharpen it . hope this helps

[@owenthrelfall5462]

@@BuckinBillyRaySmith thanks it does, do you use a wet stone to sharpen?

[@flecktards3126]

Hi billy, can you point me towards a video that shows your flick technique best? I live off grid in northern Michigan and I have nothing but maples. I am able to split it by hand but I am not a big guy. I swear these 20 inch rounds @ 16 inches long weigh more than I do. I would love to improve my technique and make life a little easier.

[@tinmanssaws]

That was fun night splittin with ya. That wood bullet is a monster!!

[@BuckinBillyRaySmith]

Indeed it was and is friendo

[@danielbenedict9236]

This was a really cool video. Two friends hanging out, having fun and getting some work done. I have watched all the videos on the flick and I still have a question as I am trying to master the technique. Do you use your lower hand to twist the axe handle just as it impacts or do you just let the axe roll naturally? Thanks for all of the knowledge Buckin'

[@BuckinBillyRaySmith]

Just keep playing with it friend. It’s good idea to try different things and to loosen grip on impact

[@loggerjake8506]

Has the emerald ash bore killed the Ash in that area? Here in the northeastern US, it's been decimated. Such a shame too because ash is such a great wood.

[@yeetb3902]

Iam afraid that all ash trees will soon be driven to near extension due to the ash bore and ash die back it’s a shame to the wood makes perfect tool handles

[@mattstacy2797]

From what I understand the borer was discovered in Manitoba in 2017. I’m not sure to what degree the insect has impacted our resources but I have seen several traps for them in communities surrounding Winnipeg.

[@Piledriver2235]

I'm here in PA, and most of the ash is gone or standing dead. Few saplings here and there. Saw a study a while ago from Penn State University (I believe) that said it seemed like a small percentage of trees seemed to be unaffected by the borers. Some genetic variation that made the borer not notice them or something. So there may be hope that the ash will come back eventually from these survivor trees.

[@oldmanfred8676]

All of Southeast Michigan have lost all the Ash trees, such a shame!

[@loggerjake8506]

@@Piledriver2235 I'm also in pa. Wayne county. I have notice a very small percentage of trees that look unaffected also. I'm praying they make a rebound some day. I grew up cutting ash and I really don't want to see it gone.

[@Resistculturaldecline]

Always been curious about different woods from different areas. When I split, the bit stocks and I have to use a 3lbs-4lbs hand sledge to unstick it sometime 15 hit or more before I can get a crack in the round. Small 5-6 ton electric splitter will bog dead and stop on 6" wide x 10" long rounds. I'm not a pro splitter, just do personal home use amount every year. Maybe I need a better bit.

[@phillipparker8947]

Hey there Buckin! Please tell me why you guys pull the starter rope out a bit when you shut off the saw, I'd like to know, years of working on saws I've never seen this, please inform me of my wrong doing? Good day my friend. One more thing, I've only followed your channel for about a year or two and I've seen all the pop ups (captions) in your videos about kindness,love,doing random acts of kindness, and following your heart and I just want to let you know that is the most awesome thing I've ever seen, I'm a big fan of lending a hand, letting that car ahead of me, I'm in no hurry and if I want to do something ima gonna do it, if physically and financially able, thank you and keep spreading kind loving gestures, maybe it will turn into a pandemic. LOVE WINS MY FRIEND

[@BuckinBillyRaySmith]

Well done friend

[@docscrlock3675]

Love the channel! Watched most of the axe videos:) Buckin do you have any oak handle axes and what do you think of using oak?

[@BuckinBillyRaySmith]

white oak i like

[@josh4613]

Cool music in the beginning of the video buckin any chance you can tell me the name of the song?

[@BuckinBillyRaySmith]

the odd neighborhood,, Hogans band live upstairs . avail,, spotify, itunes ,, bandcamp .. thx

[@venturabushcraft5916]

I love splitting wood at night with a headlamp Buckin. It focuses the light to where your want to crack it. Builds focus and accuracy. Swing on bud 👍

[@nicholasittzes7224]

Yeah! I really like my headlamps. I just want to find one with amber LEDs, to keep the bugs away. Maybe I'll have to mod one or make one.

[@venturabushcraft5916]

@@nicholasittzes7224 yeah mate. An axe and headlamp are all you need to keep you warm at night. Be the light my friend 👍

[@DAVESLINGER]

Good evening Buckin.

[@scottallpress3818]

It’s tough to admit but I can never get things bucked up nice and square , any tips for getting them square ?

[@BuckinBillyRaySmith]

do you mean when using the power saw buckin' ,,, and then when you stand the wood up it is leaning ?

[@scottallpress3818]

@@BuckinBillyRaySmith yes when bucking up logs with a power saw , I’ve always got ‘‘em leaning when I stand them up , where you look to cut ‘‘em perfectly flat / level . Is there a easy trick or is that just time and experience?

[@markatkinson9963]

Green ash and green maple, you will swing and swing sometimes and it just won't split.

[@Gabriel.-_-.]

Ironwood?

[@trevorbatchelder4247]

White ash or brown ash? You need some yellow birch

[@snidetripod]

Best firewood, in my opinion.

[@BuckinBillyRaySmith]

NOT THE GREATEST ON THE BTU SCALE, BUT YA BURN WHAT YA GOT EH FRIEND ,, THX FOR POPPIN' IN

[@swere1240]

whats cool about ash is you can burn it when its green. and red elm is by far the hardest splitting wood ive ever had the pleasure splitting if its green its damn near impossible. it really depends on the tree too. ash can sometimes split easy and somtimes it can be a pain. i like oak it splits like a dream. that almost looks like it could be box eldar maple but it also could be ash they look very similar box eldar has the little helicopters on the leaves

[@BuckinBillyRaySmith]

Green ash friend

[@naturundhund]

Hello Billy Ray in Germany there is almost only hard wood. Such as oak, beech, maple and chestnut wood. We also have spruce and pine. Greeting Peter From Germany  Hello Billy Ray in Germany there is almost only hard wood. Such as oak, beech, maple and chestnut wood. We also have spruce and pine. Greeting Peter From Germany

[@BuckinBillyRaySmith]

hi

[@naturundhund]

@@BuckinBillyRaySmith hi..😎👍

[@shanegiggie]

White Birch isn't too bad too split but yellow birch is pretty tough

[@justinweaver8787]

Beautiful life brother

[@nicholasittzes7224]

Love to see you sniffing the wood! 🙂 I love the smell of almost any wood too.

[@GoLongboardBroseph]

Had 3 ash trees taken down in the yard 3ft diameter...hard stuff to split

[@leonardvirtue5753]

Nice 😊 mate

[@BuckinBillyRaySmith]

good friend ....love....

[@leonardvirtue5753]

@@BuckinBillyRaySmith 🤝🤝✊✊🤩🤙👍

[@RubinsRacing350]

When I was younger I would drink beer and split all night long

[@zachhaag7854]

I always experienced ash splits ok green only if it's cold when it's warmer it's best to be dry and it burns like coal

[@BuckinBillyRaySmith]

Coal, really , that interesting as it doesn’t have much BTU COMPARED TO OTHERS

[@Piledriver2235]

@@BuckinBillyRaySmith he may be thinking white ash which is 23.6 mil btu, (similar to red oak). Vs green ash at 19.9 btu which is closer to your Douglas fir. As far as burning like coal, that's true as far as very little flame. Great in a stove or for heat but not so very good if you building a social campfire. It doesn't give of much flame or light, just heat

[@cameronhamer9432]

I’ve got a two foot square door on my wood stove. So then when I get hard to split wood in it goes round . I’ll use a steel wedge and a sledgehammer when it’s too tough , or resort to sawing them into blocks

[@BuckinBillyRaySmith]

You could alway use wooden handles screw drivers to burn 🔥 😉😉

[@cameronhamer9432]

@@BuckinBillyRaySmith I take it you received them , good or bad ?

[@BuckinBillyRaySmith]

@@cameronhamer9432 deadly ,, i lack in screw drivers ,, not now ,,, love....

[@cameronhamer9432]

@@BuckinBillyRaySmith I have so many screwdrivers I’ll never need to purchase another one for the rest of my life . Enjoy 👍🇨🇦

[@pm270100]

how old is the cat

[@BuckinBillyRaySmith]

12 ,,,, i reckon he'll make 17,,, stick around

[@ishure8849]

G'day Buckin, I want to send you a block to have a crack at but it's that heavy it will be cheaper to fly you out here than it to you Ishman 👍🇦🇺.

[@BuckinBillyRaySmith]

can you pick me up at the air port

[@ishure8849]

I can send someone 😜

[@johndeere365]

Can be just as bad as Hickory but Burns so good it's worth the work

[@woody0182]

One you pop ash the first time it’s easy going after

[@rickstafford5316]

That was fun.

[@jasonscott4525]

Looks like white ash. My favourite to burn.

[@woody0182]

Buddy yo need to try some dry Locust.

[@BuckinBillyRaySmith]

bin there we have lost here, stuff is stinky when burnt , throws heat tho. lots

[@davidtanner4020]

I love splitting ash wood, that is all I burn in my wood stove all winter! I will say I can split faster with my maul than my father can split with his splitter

[@newt66c33]

i picked up 2 truck loads of ash this year free

[@1944chevytruck]

BE KIND

[@BuckinBillyRaySmith]

indeed

[@d.ahwooomazenkas8075]

Ahwoooo ❤️ it get one 👍

[@RobertS122]

lol, cat don't care

[@Hootnhowl]

❤️ 🏆

[@brentdavis4867]

I like to split maple green

[@KevinBigg]

Your gonna have to take the kitty with you next time you go on the road. Your her emotional support human lol

[@BuckinBillyRaySmith]

He he

[@atv55803]

ASH IS WAY BETTER TO SPLITTING IN WINTER -20 GREEN WET IS A BITCH THE PISS ELM IS THE WORST TO SPLIT NEAR IMPOSSIBLE WITH AXE I ALWAY SEND THAT THRU A SPLITTER

[@larryburrough3024]

Hey Billy, Larry Burrough here. I just saw your portrayal of people in Mississippi. It was degrading and humiliating. Men down here in the south have southern pride Pride in America, not Canada, and pride in where we live in that country. You might want to rethink how you describe other people. You preach love and acceptance but your not living it. Thanks for listening, a former fan.

[@BuckinBillyRaySmith]

Larry , firstly , I know it’s probably to late regain you as a friend. But I wood still like to try. Here goes , I have never been to the swamps of the Mississippi-or even know if that’s a thing . Never bin down south, geographically, I don’t know my bum from a hole in the ground , Cletus is not my portrayal of folks from there as I have never met anyone from there . Offending someone with a fictional character that was made up in my head on the fly in a video is 180 degrees to the desired affect . I have not bin faced with this reaction to Cletus before. Please accept my humble apology. Or don’t . regardless I still love you , and so does Cletus

[@larryburrough3024]

@@BuckinBillyRaySmith Hey Billy, Larry here again. I accept your apology whole heartily, no strings attached. I’m 71 and a retired Tool & Die maker of 42 years. I have chased precision all my professional career. It is a privilege to watch you felling trees, big or little. You tell your customer where it is going to fall and it does. I enjoy your tree climbing the most. I have a fear of heights and motion sickness. You won’t see me up anywhere. Because of the things that I did as a younger man, I can barely walk. Both of my shoulder joints have been replaced and my left knee also. To say I am a mess is a understatement. Your videos give me freedom and true enjoyment. I love you Billy and I’m sorry too. Sincerely, Old LB ps, I’m just getting older.

[@BuckinBillyRaySmith]

@@larryburrough3024 you dont know happy this makes me . your 71 years has brought you a warm heart friend , sincerely , Buckin' Billy Ray

[@jetrojackin3400]

some va. sycamore wants a shot at the title. ash ain't all that

[@BuckinBillyRaySmith]

I can honestly say that sycamore or hybrid London plane was the hardest wood I ever split