Three Backcountry Axe Techniques You Should Know

Essential bushcraft axe skills for safe and efficient backcountry firewood splitting when you have no chopping block. I demonstrate three essential backcountry axe techniques using popular Gransfors Bruk and Hultafors (Hults Bruk) axes in the very common lengths of "half-axe" and "three-quarter axe". Specifically, I use the Small Forest Axe, Scandinavian Forest Axe, Ekelund Hunting Axe and Qvarfot Felling Axe. Despite the similarities between aspects of these axes, there are variations in technique required to get the most out of them. I also discuss material selection, material processing and species of wood. All of these have a bearing on how these techniques work. There are also limitations and parameters to consider with each technique, both in terms of what is possible but also what is safe. I cover these aspects in detail. Context is king.
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ CHAPTERS ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Half-length axe and axe technique #1: 01:32
Limitations of axe technique #1: 07:20
Three-quarter axe and axe technique #2: 12:24
Half-length axe and cross-over applications: 20:27
Half-length axe and axe technique #3: 23:10
Further considerations in using these axe techniques: 26:45
Some comments on species of wood: 29:50
Material preparation: 32:02
Summary and close: 36:10
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ FREE PDF GUIDE ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Re-finish your axe handle: Free 10-page guide paulkirtley.co...
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ AXES USED ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Gransfors Small Forest Axe: amzn.to/4ftoKf0
Gransfors Scandinavian Forest Axe: amzn.to/3WNKquS
Hultafors Ekelund Hunting Axe: amzn.to/3YuchBA
Hultafors Qvarfot Felling Axe: amzn.to/3SzIowe
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[@CommonCentsOutdoorsman]

Paul please don't stay away so long. Best Outdoor Videos on KZbin! Thanks Paul!

[@PaulKirtley]

Wow, thanks! Kind words. I promise to be back more often :-)

[@andrewhodgkinson6477]

Yes! Back and still the same standard of educational video. Best of its kind, by a country mile. Great Video as usual Paul.

[@PaulKirtley]

Thanks Andrew. 🙂

[@bigoldgrizzly]

Little tip to save losing your axe mask ... If it is of the 'popper' closing type. Simply install a male popper on your belt in a suitable position and use that to attach the mask.

[@kravist518]

Welcome back Mr. Kirtley your videos have been missed, best taught subject matter by a teacher who knows his stuff and presents the subject clearly to those who watch welcome back again

[@WELSBYROOTS]

your teaching is always so thorough, so much information and techniques to take into consideration. Thank you again, brother.

[@PaulKirtley]

Thank you Dave 🙂

[@rsvr62]

Many KZbinr bushcraft videos out there but your quality is unparalleled. Nice to seeing you back.

[@PaulKirtley]

Wow, thanks for these very positive words.

[@rickyfargason8859]

I watched a lengthy video of a KZbinr you were a guest where you explained a lot of safe axe techniques. You completely changed how I use axes to split wood. This video even explains more techniques. Very valuable information considering the axe is the most dangerous tool you will use in bushcraft. Excellent video!! Thank you so much, Paul.

[@PaulKirtley]

Hi Ricky, thanks for your comments. Yes, that video was probably the one I made with Mike Pullen for his TA Outdoors channel. I'm glad you found that one very useful and it's good to hear the video above added further valuable information for you. Thanks for your feedback. Atb, Paul

[@medicus5565]

Interesting...I watched the same video some time ago and it had the same effect for me...

[@theomccall9503]

​@@PaulKirtleythose 2(?) videos are some of the best bushcraft videos on the internet. I was already fairly good with an axe but your techniques have made a huge difference to my safety and skill. Thanks Paul!

[@beowulf_of_wall_st]

axes become safer than knives or saws either with proper technique like Paul shows here

[@bigoldgrizzly]

The most dangerous 'tool' in your armoury in any aspect of bushcrafting is overconfidence of the 'know it all' type. Don't wait till you are in the middle of nowhere to practice safe procedures .... Know before you go

[@rodrigocappato4207]

Thanks for putting your time to share these techniques in a very didactic way. Greetings from the woods in Sweden

[@eriktaylor5704]

I don’t know how I missed this. Most excellent.

[@beowulf_of_wall_st]

More people need to know about this technique. It eliminates the scary situation where an untrained person is swinging a short axe at a long skinny piece of wood balanced or held on a stump.

[@PaulKirtley]

Yes, it's always good to have a variety of safe techniques to use in various situations, especially in remote settings.

[@franksoros8494]

Great to see you back Paul. I think you are the best bushcraft educator!

[@PaulKirtley]

Wow, thanks! I appreciate your kind words.

[@scottishbushcrafter79]

Leaving this comment to show support.

[@medicus5565]

Paul, another excellent instructional video! I appreciate the thoroughness of your explanations and demonstrations. Always a pleasure to watch.

[@Etienne938]

Your videos, online courses, and your book make up a rich body of knowledge and experience that I've relied on now for years. Phenomenal work. Thank you for making bushcraft so accessible. Cheers!

[@PaulKirtley]

Thank you so much Etienne. I'm so happy my work has been of continued interest and value to you. Cheers!

[@Lex-Hawthorn]

My Old man taught me all these ways of cutting wood 60 years ago. Nothing new if you have more than half a pea for a brain. Great presentation Paul. The uninformed will learn a lot from this mate. Take care, stay safe, and keep the vids rolling when you can mate.

[@PaulKirtley]

Thank you Lex. I'm glad you can see the value in me making these videos even if you are already familiar with the techniques. I appreciate your support. Cheers indeed!

[@flamabr]

Paul, I just discovered your channel now. You gained another subscriber. Your speeches are very objective. Great classes with tricks that I didn't know about. Congratulations and hugs from Brazil.

[@hansesselink9386]

Very nice to see the techniques for a refresh. Just to see the difference between the master and his experience. Relaxing to see and as always a very educational video with indept knowledge and explanation of why to use something and why not to do things. See you in the next one

[@PaulKirtley]

Thanks. I'm glad you liked this one. And yes, see you in the next one.

[@TestSpaceMonkey]

Masterclass as always Paul! I've seen and done bits of this over the years (including learning the hard way about minding my knuckles on that first technique) but having it all put together in one spot like this is invaluable. Thanks!

[@wyattchinn1036]

Great as always. I thought I knew all this but there were some details I'd missed.

[@JW-nk5hu]

Good to see your mug on video....hope all is well.

[@kimbullock475]

Great demonstration Paul..

[@PaulKirtley]

Thanks!

[@scottm9933]

Absolutely brilliant, thankyou Paul!

[@PaulKirtley]

Thanks. I'm happy you thought so.

[@MichShearer]

Fantastic content as usual Paul. Thanks for the free lesson!

[@mikeinthewoods2193]

Safety first! 👍

[@PaulKirtley]

Always!

[@handlers2511]

Thanks Paul, great to see you back - superb content as usual! Highly recommend your axe handle refinishing guide to anyone who has not seen it: massive improvement in terms of grip and feel on the axe, and I have also used the exact same steps on my opinel knife handles with equally great success

[@Ajourneyintobushcraft]

On my second viewing, perfect and packed with nuggets of fantastic information and knowledge and experience. Really really enjoyed it Paul, thanks again for everything. Danny 🔥

[@getsmart3701]

Always good to see a new Paul Kirtley video.

[@PaulKirtley]

Thanks!

[@mspellyt1]

Thanks Paul. Excellent video as always.

[@Liam_Nielsen]

Excellent. Thank you for all your work

[@PaulKirtley]

Thanks Liam.

[@fcernst]

Excellent video..thanks for breaking it out..really enjoyed it!

[@Richardjdocherty]

Brilliant content - really clearly presented and a comprehensive explanation of why to use these techniques without any clickbaity nonsense. Thank you for all your uploads 👍🏻

[@MorganBW53]

Helpful, thank you Paul.

[@PaulKirtley]

Thanks. I'm glad you thought so.

[@keenanhosking659]

Yes, great videos and quality thanks for sharing.

[@PaulKirtley]

Glad you like them!

[@runningriverbushcraft]

Awesome Information!! Safety First Always..

[@joeparsons1191]

Always full of useful and good advice and information always enjoy your work 👍

[@warwickshireoutdoors]

Great film Paul. Very interesting and informative. 🏕🍻

[@darrengreaves3068]

Absolute brilliant vidio REALLY enjoyed it as usual take care paul

[@scottangel6462]

Very informative video, with alot of knowledge and wisdom!!

[@liammalarky3483]

Excellent video. What you explained, I wish I'd been shown years ago. It would have saved me a lot of time, effort, and, yes, skinned knuckles. You're a great resource, even for old codgers like myself. Thank you.

[@GhostZero1111]

It's good to see you again Paul. Thank you for the new video.

[@PaulKirtley]

Thanks for watching the video. It's good to be back.

[@theoutdoortraditionalist]

Good Sunday viewing Paul, thank you.

[@PaulKirtley]

Thanks Austin. Hope all is good with you.

[@muddymike450]

Great informative video, thank you 👍

[@tomyork3973]

Excellent video. Thank you.

[@jaydee3838]

Good stuff. Thanks Paul!

[@unitytira4954]

Good day Paul, thank you so much for patiently explaining the method and mindful of the safety of the technique for us to apply. Your video is helpful, blessings.

[@Countryboy071]

Its been a while ! Looking well Paul (a bit more silver on top 😂) good to see you back 👍

[@kringsja9913]

great video thanks for sharing, have a great day :)

[@saxdonkey]

Greeeeeeaaaaaat video

[@leeroberts6809]

Nice video Paul as always ,top class information and skills as always, this is where KZbin is brilliant. people like yourself giving your time and effort information for people. you can only go so far with a video you still can’t beat doing one of your courses, by the way, you deserve a good cold drink at the end of that😊

[@PaulKirtley]

Haha yes, I filmed this earlier in the week. It was blooming hot, even in the shade of the woods! Glad you liked the video. Thanks for your comments.

[@leeroberts6809]

@@PaulKirtley having dyslexia can be a pain in the arse. I re-corrected some of my sentence .looking forward to your next video.

[@oferbechor1579]

THANK YOU🙏

[@John-gu7jq]

Very helpful info!

[@GreytOutdoorsMedic]

Thank you shippers! Another great video.

[@PaulKirtley]

🙂

[@WoodyAndy]

Great film Paul - first rate info and demonstration as ever 👍Atb Andy

[@PaulKirtley]

Thanks Andy 🙂

[@Trailtraveller]

Nice video with clear instructions !

[@PaulKirtley]

Thanks Rody!

[@zo1574]

Solid straight forward information. 👊🏻🏆

[@PaulKirtley]

Thanks!

[@greenleaf239]

I'd like to see a video about using a hatchet (say 12") to split wood.

[@PaulKirtley]

Ok, noted. Good idea!

[@americannomad513]

I always enjoy your videos Paul.

[@PaulKirtley]

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoy my vids.

[@KUnitlol]

glad youre back.

[@PaulKirtley]

Thank you!

[@timberwolf3007]

This was a wonderful return to your videos! Thank you! However, is there a possibility that you could show something with similar (or not, if there is something better) techniques to use for those of us who are no longer able to kneel? Sadly, age and hard living have come with a price, but I still love getting out and enjoying the woods, camping, fishing, gatherings, etc. and sometimes the old guy (whether alone or in a group) is the only one who knows how to tend to a fire. I have adapted to the loss of the ability to kneel, but sitting in a chair puts my feet and lower legs at risk. I just have to be extremely careful and usually place a larger log on the ground between my feet and the anvil log.

[@kasterna]

Nice to see you again, Paul :) Very well done video

[@Edcognito]

Glad to see you back!

[@GreytOutdoorsMedic]

Matelot?

[@PaulKirtley]

Thanks!

[@ed5042]

Another great Video! Thank You!!!!!!!!

[@PaulKirtley]

Thanks for your feedback Ed 🙂

[@ProfessorBushcraft]

Qvvvvaaarfot!

[@PaulKirtley]

Could be a new hybrid fruit!

[@PierreEklund]

Is that a Swedish army shirt? Thanks for the great videos!

[@PaulKirtley]

Yes it's an old Swedish military shirt. I bought a good number very inexpensively a few years ago. I like them for warm days in the forest. Very comfortable.

[@lyndonmarquis414]

Really helpful video, thanks, Paul - reinforces what I’m learning from your book. Do you know of any resources to help with ID-ing species of dead timber, please? It’s easy with (for instance) silver birch with the bark still on but after that, I can get a bit lost. Thanks again for the great content.

[@bigoldgrizzly]

With a batten, it is worth taking a few moments to trim one end a bit thinner so it gives a better and safer fit for the users hand. It adds a lot more control and accuracy .... until some helpful soul throws it on the fire when your back is turned ;>)

[@ohnoitsu1]

Hi Paul! Always good to see another video of yours. Informative as always. You mentioned the knowledge of wood being important which is something I'm sorely lacking in. I live in Australia which I assume would have different species; are there any resources available that you know of that I could use to familiarise myself with the different species of trees and be able to identify them? Cheers.

[@Lex-Hawthorn]

There is a place called a library mate. Once you have found what you are looking for, get the name, publisher, etc, and go to a book store, if they dont have it? Order it in.

[@ohnoitsu1]

@@Lex-Hawthorn Yes there's also this thing called asking people more experienced than you for advice and knowledge. I was hoping Paul might have some resources available given it's his livelihood. Probably a bit better than a library search mate.

[@Lex-Hawthorn]

@@ohnoitsu1 Of course there is mate, Try asking Gordon at Bushcraft Survival Australia, he'd know more about our species of timber than Paul would. Now you have asked someone with experience.

[@ohnoitsu1]

@@Lex-Hawthorn Hey thanks for the advice I really appreciate it 👍 I'll check out that channel, cheers.

[@Lex-Hawthorn]

@@ohnoitsu1 www.youtube.com/@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia Gordon and Paul have worked together mate.

[@theom7476]

Great informative video Paul. When using that technique for larger wood where you lay it down and hit it, when it's been split into quarters and you have the issue with balancing it on the log, if it's then small enough to hold in one hand then could you not go back to the first technique you showed to make things easier?

[@PaulKirtley]

Hi Theo, good to hear from you. Yes, I think I implied this in the video but didn't show it explicitly. Once you can grab hold of the half or quarter, you can go back to the hand-holding technique for sure.

[@jonpaul3868]

Wow, this guy is methodological😂

[@TheSuperdisk]

Hi Paul, great video. Do you have a preference on the Scandinavian axe or the quavot? I’d love to know please

[@mikemclean2449]

Quick thought. Would it be good to chop a V groove in the chopping block log to act as a stabilizer?

[@Nofixedabode859]

Hi Paul another great video, a question please, do you still use the Karrimor sabre 45 and will it work for U.K. winter bushcraft, I use carinthia def 4 or snugpac elite 3 sleeping bags for U.K. winters and all your usual kit thx?

[@PaulKirtley]

Hi there. Yes, I still use the Sabre 45 but I find it a bit small for winter, even in the UK, in that getting a bigger/thicker sleeping bag in there, along with additional layers of clothing a bit tricky. I prefer my old Berghaus Vulcan for winter use in the woods. I also use that for ski touring in Norway, for example. It's considerably bigger than the Sabre 45 but still not particularly heavy. I hope this helps.

[@Nofixedabode859]

@@PaulKirtley thx Paul I had a Vulcan years ago was hoping the 45 mite work but I probably try the sabre 75 with rocket pouches then thx again

[@DimitriLambermont]

Went over to the website to get the book. But I see it is out of stock? Will it return?

[@inguzwulf]

"..For adult men. Maybe a bit smaller for other people.." hmm, been reading up on your Trumpisms, huh? 🤣 I do enjoy your videos, although sometimes they are unintentionally funny, too (bonus)😉 On a serious note, thanks for this one cos informative and useful (I now see why I do some of the things I do but never really thought why. And I've learnt some things, too). Cheers fella👍

[@PaulKirtley]

Talking is hard sometimes 🙂

[@inguzwulf]

Isn't that a take on what the Fins say? "Life is hard!" And sometimes, when you've been in a wood (or just away from the hoi polloi) for a while​, you just don't have much to say (or perhaps just little use for words)... I just wanted to add thank you for the download. I'll add it to my growing tool care knowledge (and when I change my handle or can afford to buy a new axe I'll put it into practise)👍@@PaulKirtley

[@inguzwulf]

Ps: should I say haft?

[@max_fjellstorm]

First

[@PaulKirtley]

BOOM!

[@max_fjellstorm]

@@PaulKirtley I wonder how many fingers this video will save over time 😅

[@DuctTapenWD]

"not working with a chopping block" (Chops wood using a chopping block)

[@AclockworkPurple]

Real men don’t need an axe they just use their teeth and fingernails like god intended!

[@Lex-Hawthorn]

LOL, if you have teeth mate? O.o Be a bit of a bugger trying to gum my way through a log.

[@PaulKirtley]

😊

[@Gunslinger-1962-martin]

Great video paul 👍 i did pick up a few tips from this video ,, i noticed that you didnt have too raise your axe to high in order to get enough power behind it ,, not like some videos ive seen where they swing it about above their head ( over acting I'd call it ) 💪👌 down load the PDF or Buy Pauls Book , which i need to get signed might i add 👏👏👏🙌🪓🪓🪓🇬🇧👍

[@AirstripBum]

Hello Paul, 4:50 That's a beautiful place! Where is it?

[@bertheemskerk3273]

I would guess the Berens river. Look up his video from his solo canoe trip.

[@PaulKirtley]

Hi, it's by Big Moose Falls on the Berens River, Manitoba. It was a beautiful spot to camp. www.google.com/maps/place/Big+Moose+Falls/@52.2015676,-96.6377109,9z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x5292eccf2fb36ebb:0x5cb205ba8c5ab3fe!8m2!3d52.2015699!4d-95.9785311!16s%2Fg%2F1v8k_7h5?entry=ttu. As Bert says in the other reply here, it is in my Berens River video series. This is the relevant episode - kzbin.info/www/bejne/omKyqpeXbLCKo9U Enjoy!

[@AirstripBum]

@@PaulKirtley Thanks! I’ll take a look see.