How To Split, Rive and Cleave Hazel Coppice Rods for Hurdle Making, Willow, Chestnut

www.buymeacoffee.com/AbellTo
Here is a tutorial of how to split hazel in half down it's length, including why we split hazel and when to split and the tools you'll need.
The split rods can then be used for hazel hurdle making.
This works for lots of different species that throw up long rods.
• How to Use a Billhook ... -Dressing Rods Video
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[@AbellTo]

Had this reply via email. Thanks so much for getting in touch. Thank you so much for your video How to split hazel. Your method with a fixed setup for the froe is simple but extremely effective! This gives you 2 hands free to steer the splitting direction, brilliant! I have now succeeded for the first time in splitting thin crooked branches perfectly through the heart.

[@AbellTo]

That’s fantastic news, well done. It’s very satisfying isn’t it?

[@BillOdyssey]

One of the best YT tutorials I've seen - thankyou!

[@AbellTo]

Oh wow thanks so much

[@widget0028]

You're so aware of what you're doing

[@AbellTo]

Thanks so much

[@kahlospirit24]

Excellent video.Thanks.you should do more tutorials you are great at it

[@AbellTo]

Thanks so much, I have plans to record more green wood stuff so the ‘woodlanders’ can have a go themselves

[@terrencecoughlan1502]

Just found your amazing channel, thanks for being so generous with your knowledge.

[@AbellTo]

That’s very kind. Thanks so much. Welcome to woodland paradise!

[@nonyadamnbusiness9887]

Thanks for the detailed explanation of how to keep a split centered. This information is not so easy to find.

[@AbellTo]

Thank you for watching and your feedback. I hope it’s been helpful

[@markmckenzie3072]

That was a fantastic tutorial. Great explanation, camera angles spot on and detailed information regarding timing of splitting. I very much appreciate you making the time and effort to create this. Thank you very much.

[@AbellTo]

Thank you so much for your kind response. Happy riving

[@andrewbagguley8289]

I sit here, tears streaming down my face as I type, because I feel an overwhelming sense of accomplishment and pride. I have not done anything like this before, but am determined to complete a project in my garden, which is to weave a hazel fence to enclose an embankment for my greenhouse. It ain't complete yet, not by a country mile, but I have managed to split most of the hazel, having learned how from this video. I wish to thank you from the heart of my bottom, sir, the very heart of my bottom, for your concise, precise, no nonsense approach to the art. You obviously take a pride in your work, but without the need to brag, as so many folk on KZbin do. To inform, elucidate and educate is a gift beyond price. More power to your arm, sir.

[@AbellTo]

Ayup Andrew thanks so much for reaching out. It’s sounds like you’ve made some amazing progress! This is great news and I’m so glad that you found the video helped you out. Your project sounds lovely. Thank you for your kind words. I’m not good at being on camera, but I do love sharing . Kindest regards Darren

[@lotty468]

The man who knows exactly how, never shall a drop of sweat bead his brow.

[@AbellTo]

Great quote

[@lotty468]

Yes, heard it on a jack hargreaves dvd

[@AbellTo]

@@lotty468 ah those were the days!

[@yourhealinghome8812]

This is wonderful. I'm remembering John Seymour's book; "The Forgotten Crafts". Now you've got me wanting to see you make a video demonstrating how exactly you're going to weave the hurdles. I'd really love to see the lady graze her sheep by moving the hurdles and resetting them as the pasture is grazed off. Brilliant work Abell. Good on 'ya for keeping these ancient crafts alive and well into this new century.

[@AbellTo]

Thanks so much, the weaving is quite straight forward I’ll have to put a little video together so you can see. All our hazel panels now go for garden design and landscaping, the age of shepherding with hazel hurdles has long gone when galvanised metal took over and vehicles

[@paulfletcher6263]

Very informative …. The camera angle from overhead was great to see how you manage and control the split… thank you

[@AbellTo]

Brilliant thanks, hope you can master it

[@stuffbywoody5497]

I'm trying to watch this video and I've got white cockatoos and crows squawking their heads off so I can't hear a damn thing. I think I might have to plug in my headphones 🎧 EDIT; I decided to go back inside instead of using the headphones, 30 seconds later the noisy birds have flown the coop. Typical. But I got to enjoy the video and I learned a few things too. Now I want to try splitting some poles but I will have to use wattle or some other wood as I don't have any Hazel. I want to try making some panels to surround a portable Blacksmiths workshop for markets and lost trade fairs. Thank you for another entertaining and informative video. Good work.

[@AbellTo]

Thanks so much, your idea sounds great, it’s definitely worth experimenting with different woods. Glad you persevered with the background distractions

[@stuffbywoody5497]

@@AbellTo , what can I say? Your video is worth the time to watch it. I love learning new things that are useful and practical. The panels have an aesthetic appeal that would only add to the feel of the workshop. I have a couple of old lawn mower blades that I can use instead of having to make a blade, and I can sit it in my blacksmiths leg vice when I need to use it and put it away in one of my cabinets when I don't need it. Handy and tidy.

[@annawilliams7046]

So informative! Thanks for taking the time to make and share this video. I want to make some panels for my garden and this is a huge help. I really appreciate how you focused closely on the technique. Thank you!

[@AbellTo]

Your most welcome, all the best with your garden projects

[@iangauntlett1047]

Really interesting and informative. Thank you.

[@AbellTo]

Thanks so much for the feedback, hope it helps

[@lesdrinkwater490]

You made it look easy. I sure it isn't but I'll give it a try.

[@AbellTo]

Thanks so much it’s a skill but I’m sure you’ll get there

[@evinarl]

👍👍👍💗

[@grumpy3517]

Great information! You've ever tried to make hazel rods behave during splitting more like freshly harvested by standing them in a tub of water for a couple of days before? Like it's done by basket makers with willow... If yes, I'd be keen to know if this works. Cheers

[@AbellTo]

Thanks so much, I haven’t personally soaked them before, a friend of mine has, and he recons they went all slimy and didn’t help much. Definitely worth a try though. I’m hoping to get a trough soon so I’ll give it a whirl and video the results

[@nikkid9915]

Thank you 🙏

[@AbellTo]

You’re welcome Nikki

[@moretea8314]

Very nice 👌. I did some volunteering with a rural skills workshop despite their training I just couldn’t stop splits running out, but I don’t recall your tips in the training, such as holding the rod close to the split nor mention of rotating the body. The camera angle really helped as well. I’ve got some rods to cut and will give this technique try. Thank you for sharing. There’s nothing better than being out amongst the trees.

[@AbellTo]

Thanks so much. It’s a technique I’ve developed after some initial training I had years ago. I really hope it helps you! All the best on your project

[@Nellyontheland]

Subbed. I never knew. So, the narrow edge of the metal bar "digs" into the thicker side at any one time? Cool. Cheers, I'd always wondered.

[@AbellTo]

The metal bar acts as a lever rather than digging into the wood as it’s split.

[@Nellyontheland]

@@AbellTo Yes, I see. Thanks for the close-up 👍

[@juliadean2473]

Thank you for your very detailed and helpful guide. Is it worth splitting thicker lengths ie 4" to 5"? I want to try and coppice a highish bank of straggling hazel which is against the road. Originally I thought I could bend the cut poles of hazel through to make a fence/barrier of some sort but now think I'd like to try and split them first. Is this a silly idea?

[@AbellTo]

You’re welcome. I’ve tried to split hazel that’s thicker but anything beyond about 1.5 inches becomes so tough due to the fibres and what I call wind (where the grain spirals) that I decided not to pursue it. For timber to cleave I’d recommend chestnut oak for in the ground posts. If your hazel is on a boundary could you pleach the stems as in hedge laying? To give you a living barrier?

[@andrewsackville-west1609]

Brilliant. Thanks for sharing. One question, though. Is the riving iron actually sharp? I can see the leading edge is beveled, but it doesn't look like it has a proper edge. I imagine an edge would be a hindrance as it will weaken the side it touches...

[@AbellTo]

Thanks so much, the iron is very blunt, I just put a leading edge on it so I can force hazel onto it if it’s a bit stubborn once started by the sharp axe. Hope you get to have a go Regards Darren

[@andrewsackville-west1609]

@@AbellTo oh, I will. I have lots of hazel on my land. Some of it is ready to coppice this winter, provided I can hack my way through the bramble to get to it.

[@AbellTo]

@@andrewsackville-west1609 fantastic, hopefully when the hazel is in good rotation it can suppress the bramble

[@andrewsackville-west1609]

@@AbellTo I've not heard this, before. Can you elaborate? I've noticed that the big leaf maple we have seems to suppress bramble, just from shade, I presume.

[@AbellTo]

@@andrewsackville-west1609 yes it’s the shade, hazel that’s well stocked ie 2m apart and cut on a cycle 6-8 years can suppress the bramble, when the hazel is cut the bramble will grow but in a few years it gets shaded out and is usually quite weak by the time the hazel is cut again. However I do have areas I have to cut back because the bramble is rampant

[@shaunpreston2839]

Your making this look very hard fella? You need a 7 inch spar hook! And with practice you could split Hazel rods or gads with your eyes shut!

[@AbellTo]

The spar hook technique is something I’ve not really experimented with. I guess we find our go to method and it sticks with us. It was the way I was shown and I can split quite quickly with it. One day I’ll give the spar hook some love and try your suggestion

[@shaunpreston2839]

OK fella I'm a lifetime countryman I've just turned 60 and teach foraging etc with a spar hook you can split 250 spars in under 20 mins! Good luck! Swampster.

[@AbellTo]

@@shaunpreston2839 I’ve never done spars yet. Our hazel here is rough stuff and needs a few more cut cycles for spars. Not many thatchers up here either. Thanks for watching and getting in touch

[@boywonder6659]

Those hurdles your making need to be £1000 each to make your job pay.

[@AbellTo]

Ayup Boy wonder I recon you could be about right, trouble is I’d be out the market then.