Split Firewood On The Ground!, No Stumps, No Flat Ends or Splitting Axes, Axe Cut Wood,

[@WrongIsThis]

Please please pay close attention to what he is saying. If you are swinging an axe as sharp as shaving your arm hair please pay attention. Im highly skilled with an axe and caught a glance using this technique. I sliced through my whites smokejumpers and two of my toes. Had surgery with plates and screws. Safety is your utmost concern. Listen to what says. I have pictures to prove it. Ask me.

[@SkillCult]

Thanks for the PSA. It's hard to get people to take this stuff seriously. I could use those pictures for scared straight material. You can contact me through my website skillcult.com . I did a follow up video driving home some points about positioning, kzbin.info/www/bejne/eJmrlKSklJx0a7c but it's all in here.

[@SkillCult]

pinned this comment to the top of the page...

[@hiervi]

chaps and boots. sorry but there is no reason to buck without.

[@SkillCult]

@@hiervi Convenience, cost, heat, movement.

[@Musicpins]

You mean the golf swing technique?

[@the_sharp_carpenter]

its like buckin billy ray says. "you ever go golfing friend?" good stuff

[@YankeeWoodcraft]

You don't realize how many KZbinrs DON'T know how to swing an axe until you watch someone using one that knows what he's doin'. Don't be fooled...he's making it look easy. There's a whole lot of situational awareness, grain reading and knowledge of one's tool going on there. This is the bastard child of a science and a little art; it's not brute mechanics. GREAT stuff as always man.

[@guyvanderveken5595]

Sage advice here, watched this vid several times, so much sense explained. Used most of these tips and had a ton of fun during lockdown. Meditation, anger management, focus, workout, fun and destruction all rolled into one, with barbecue fuel at the end. Thank you for the time you take to teach skills and giving to the community. SkillCult you are a brother.

[@SkillCult]

Thanks Guy :)

[@nomadicwolf6132]

This is gold! Exactly what I was trying to find. I looked up about 6 different search terms and had to scroll for a while on each. If you ever read this, I would suggest titling it "How to split wood using an axe," or "Splitting wood with only an axe." Something like that. That's what I was typing when looking for exactly something like this. Thanks for the excellent knowledge!

[@BuckinBillyRaySmith]

THANK YOU

[@rowanfernsler9725]

Was coming back to this video and clicked on your channel, congrats on 100K!

[@Valscorn01]

The man, myth and legend. When he agrees and comments on your video involved in wood processing, you're doing something right.

[@mateomarquez4343]

Aye Billy Ray! Good to see ya!

[@junkinthebrain]

If you asked me if I would have been fascinated by someone splitting wood with an axe I would have said no. I can't believe at how interesting this video is. I so much appreciate your putting this video together. I subscribed! This is second only to being in the woods and watching you at work. Great job! thanks for sharing with us! I split wood with a maul, and sometimes I get frustrated with knots and bigger pieces. I am going to try just using an axe and see what happens. I will also try to do a much better job of patience and using "x-ray vision"

[@SkillCult]

There are some important strategy ideas that everyone doesn't follow. Slabbing off the sides is a great way to deal with big pieces if you can find any gaps between knots and start knocking them off. The more you reduce the mass of the piece, the easier it becomes to deal with. Reduce the mass by whittling away. Axes have limitations. It just depends on the wood you are splitting. Trying to stick with an axe can help you dial in technique and strategy though. Watch Buckin Billy Ray if you haven't. The flick is essential with an axe, not optional. not everytime, but you need it for sure. I was never into it when using my maul, but now I'm all about it. I was afraid this would be too long. I'm glad some folks are making it all the way through.

[@vexy1987]

@@SkillCult, awesome tutorials. Actually, you got the length spot on. All the 3 min slap dash videos just don't go into enough detail. I feel like I can now go out there and fell and split an entire tree start to finish. I've only done a bit of splitting as a youngster (really we were just playing at it) but having saw to cut a straight log, I was left scratching my head. I found the perfect video! You've saved me a tonne of frustration and trial and error, not to mention life and limb ;)

[@SkillCult]

@@vexy1987 The skill and familiarity part of the equation is really huge for sure. Especially with splitting like this. It is really hard to consistently be accurate enough to make it all work when using undersized tools or difficult wood. Same with all the other work. Spending time on the butt end of an axe is just part of the equation. Even taking a long break makes me pretty rusty. If I went out now and started chopping, it would take multiple sessions of at least a few hours each in close succession to start really getting the hang of it. That's why I started the cordwood challenge. It provides the perfect lab for improving skills and understanding. Stay safe :)

[@SurvivalSherpa]

You're so right about hitting the center, man. I too found that handling wood with my hands was necessary when in the pile. And that sound, oh that sound of wood splitting! Excellent job explaining your experience with the wood and ax. Great point on the ease of splitting ax-cut wood. Makes perfect sense. I've had many comments on how unsafe this method is from people who have never split ax-cut wood. As with any other ax work, if I've got an ax in my hand, I'm gonna use... like you said. Good times, bud!

[@SkillCult]

I noticed some woods are brittle enough to run over and seek the path of least resistance and others pretty much never do that. I think they are more likely to do that when splitting from the side though. As far as I can tell so far, as long as you are out in front of the wood, it's pretty safe. Maybe I just haven't had that one rare accident though. I always just wish that I had more to split. It's a bunch of work to get to that point, but then splitting is like dessert and it's all over ;)

[@falcynfyghter]

Everyone is commenting on them information offered, which is definitely helpful, but I want to say just how satisfying it is to watch. ASMR too with the wood splitting sound

[@RobbySk8erBoi]

I really like that you allow us to make our own decisions. You never say "You shouldn't do this." you let us make our own choices. You don't force idiots to be smart, thank you.

[@SkillCult]

I definitely am trying for that, because in the long run, it's the way to engage work safely and effectively. It can backfire under certain circumstances, but overall the better approach. I don't like dummy rules :)

[@karle.6101]

Great demo and explaination. I've just started reading "The Axe Book" last week, and the video goes well with the safety and saving the axe message I've gotten out of it so far. It always help to see someone with experince, who enjoys it, walk through it to bring out a few ah-ha's too.

[@SkillCult]

Cool. That's a great read!

[@disastershaman]

Damned man.., I was looking for a way to dampen the blows in my hands, then found an other video of you. And in 2 minutes I knew that I was doing it wrong. And then this.. Wow, the technique .. the skill... I've got a lot to relearn!

[@chtomlin]

Another good example of the usefulness of understanding "Dual Objectives", as you do here by keeping both you AND your axe safe.

[@SkillCult]

With this activity, that can be quite a challenge. Always tempting to just smack it however.

[@chtomlin]

@@SkillCult yes, I agree, and that is why I make a procedure of it. I try to realize there are almost always 2 major factors to keep in the front of your decision process, along with lost of lots of other lesser aspects.

[@henrypeterson1981]

Awesome Educational Video. Quite sure our 1800s Ancestors in the States used the same tool to Cut/Chop, Split and Carve Wood for Home Building and Heat Production

[@morami1122]

your videos are incredible and very addictive. never have i seen a homesteader post such high quality, highly informative and extremely well produced videos before finding your channel. keep up the good work, i look forward to finding another one of your videos in my sub box every day.

[@SkillCult]

Thanks! :)

[@cosmicbilly]

Got myself a sport utility boys axe because of you and i absolutely love it! Thanks for the wisdom skillcult

[@user-fg6sn8et8x]

Your videos have given me a wealth of ideas and enjoyment. I have observed a lot of lumbar spine bending/twisting using the ground splitting method. It is worth mentioning that this technique is a classic dynamic in developing lumbar disc related problems. Also,I once sunk a hookeroon into the outside of my right foot while striking a piece of wood. The piece was on the ground and the strike deflected the spike through my shoe and into my right foot. It was my fault and I learned a safety lesson the hard way. Tks.

[@SkillCult]

I have a video on avoiding that. I say everything here, but wanted to do another one that is about just that aspect. regarding back issues, If we have good body mechanics, it should be minimal risk. Gokhale method taught me what good posture actually is. This kind of work should involve hip hingeing, so the back is not bending that much.

[@MattP-BandB]

Without a doubt the best axe instructional video I have seen. You have a gift of being a natural teacher.

[@oldaxehead655]

I was playing it at 1.25x speed and thought you were super human with the speed of those swings. Very nice video. Good work.

[@baldiepie9635]

Thank you for sharing. Every little bit of knowledge has its value

[@Steve_G88]

Ive started using this technique with wood ive cut with my chainsaw too and it definitely saves loads of time vs taking the time to place each log on a stump and split it. Thanks for the great knowledge!

[@SkillCult]

I really find that the axe cut wood works even better. It's uncanny sometimes how well it works even with a light axe. But yeah, I use it on saw cut wood too. I still tip a lot of the rounds up though. But I usually start by just wading in and hitting at least the easy well oriented stuff. It's fun :)

[@estynmorales885]

I’ve been using an axe for years now and I have only used a chainsaw to cut it wood maybe twice. I personally love using an axe to completely process wood and it is a good thing to learn because you might not always have your chainsaw.

[@deveronin1]

I’ve been treating my axe handles with linseed like you describe, I am sure it improves the resonance in the handle, thanks for that ( Hawthorn in Ulster ( Northern Ireland)

[@davidsteinberg2496]

Thank you for posting this. I mostly cut with saw cut wood, maul and stump but sometimes the sawn wood isn’t cut straight and this will help a lot! I enjoy your videos and learn new things all the time.

[@SkillCult]

Watch some of Buckin' Billy Ray's splitting videos. My policy has become, at least run through and do the easy stuff with an axe on the ground, then move onto the maul where that works better.

[@evansimmons6894]

“It doesn’t work for everything, and that’s ok.” Absolutely right and well said.

[@baltsosser]

Every type of wood I have ever felled including Red Oak I have been able to split with an axe. Fiskars makes an impressive product. That splitting axe absolutely blows apart the rounds. Only when I get into rounds that are 30" across or more do I need to add in a maul to help push it through.

[@gumboot65]

Awesome video. I've split a good bit of firewood. I've sold firewood for decades and sometimes a guy just has to split some of it. I'm pretty sure I've split less than 300 cord of wood. But more than 225 cord. Since 1969. So I know a bit about it. Mostly with axes as I hate mauls and wedges !!!! I learned things from this video ! Thank you !

[@leahtorres8638]

This was great. I am getting ready to split some wood from our apple trees and a locust tree that was taken down in our yard. I've resisted because the axe is heavy, but this gives me some confidence about getting started and not expecting perfection. Mostly I'm splitting the wood to get it to season faster.

[@SkillCult]

cool, stay safe, those things are dangerous. and watch this too.... kzbin.info/www/bejne/eJmrlKSklJx0a7c

[@bartomiejkempkiewicz4395]

You deserve much more attention on KZbin

[@joelvansickle3623]

I watched this over a year ago and now... I'm watching it again. It's amazing 😃 great job Steven. I've learned so much from you. Thank you

[@SkillCult]

Happy to help Joel, thanks for the feedback :)

[@ben6089]

This is good, there are some smaller trees I like cutting down with just axes, I don't care if it takes longer because I have a massive stockpile of wood anyway.

[@rcmakingtracks18]

V end verses flat end, easer to chop makes perfect sense... keep em coming.

[@SkillCult]

It really is too. I keep being impressed by how well it works. In some cases you can do the same by striking the edge of a sawn round, but it's not quite the same.

[@mawuho1566]

The nice thing for beginners is that you get lots of kindling while practising ; ) Thanks for sharing, I also enjoy spliting my way through a pile of wood. All the best from Germany, Maximilian.

[@jolier1313]

I recommend beginners who are risk averse wear steel toe boots and use catcher's shin/leg guards until they gain enough comfort and skill to use an axe proficiently. However, these aren't substitutes for good technique. This is a good demonstration of axe handling and ability to read wood grain direction.

[@mathewwoolhouse7895]

Another quality tutorial/practical lecture. I'm so relived for someone to produce content that isn't the "HEY HEY! WASSUP KZbin, ITS NOOBSLAYER3655 HERE WITH ANOTHER 3 MINUTES OF PURE DRIVEL" Crowd where its in 240p and shakes like Catherine Hepburn. Tasks that are worth doing, are worth doing well; to do things well takes a significant investment of time. Thank you for making your time invested, available to me & Thank you for sharing your wisdom. Cheers, Mat.

[@SkillCult]

ha ha. Thanks man. Funny. :)

[@rowanfernsler9725]

It’s noobmaster69

[@brianwalker1933]

Great advice and demonstration. I listened intently to every word. You have an excellent way on explaining you’re point of view. The safety tips are excellent. It was a pleasure listening and watching you do what you were explaining. I have 29years experience in felling and cutting up timber, using both chainsaws and axes, yet l learned quite a bit from you’re video. I’m nearly 67yo, still cutting timber and love using my axes. I’m so happy l am still fit and strong enough to keep doing it.😀 I have subscribed to you’re channel. Thankyou for sharing. Brian, from Australia. 👍

[@monkoko6441]

This is off topic but your beard looks great and your hair

[@FT4Freedom]

You own your cuts. Especially the ones in the leg. My dad used to say.

[@miltyler]

I've been looking forward to this video. I've been trying out your advice and examples this year, and I agree:get rid of the chopping block. This method is faster and easier.

[@SkillCult]

I use a block here and there, mostly for easy stuff where it's easier to work up higher. Mostly though, they are a hinderance.

[@ardysmith9987]

A good technique needs know explanation it speaks for itself,it doesn't need a sales pitch. Just good examples. Thanks for the video

[@joshrowe2275]

Glad to see you get billy ray in there too. He’s a pro

[@alandredske2369]

Hi Steve, great video! This is something you don't learn over night. But once you do, it's hard to do it any other way. Take care, your friend Al

[@SkillCult]

yeah, I'm still workin on it! I've improved a lot, but it just takes tons of time spent.

[@benwilletts9246]

You are one educated, skilled, intentioned, articulate & authentic dude. You've set the highest standard of how-to video I've seen yet. Skilled demos, effective camera work/presentation, efficient & thorough commentary incl pros/cons and why/hows, additional text info, quoting sources/references, humble yet confident tone... It's really hard to find vids showing how to do things WELL (safely, throughly, efficiently, effectively, etc.) And it's clear why they are so hard to find: it takes a lot of effort, skill, talent and dedication to produce that caliber of work. I hope all KZbinrs watch your work to see how it should be done. Thank you, sir!

[@SkillCult]

Damn, I'm going to put that on my resume' :)

[@brianmacdonald3292]

Yes, what Ben said is what I should of said. I've seen a lot of you tube vids of topics that interest me. I can not believe how long it was. Seemed like 7 minutes because you had my attention constantly. Thanks again for taking the time to make this one.

[@mvblitzyo]

exceptional hands on instructions ..

[@ryanmurphy3025]

I find an effective way to get through the bigger pieces is to split it when you have the log partially bucked. That way you have the mass of the log to help and it clears away wood when you continue to buck.

[@SkillCult]

I've done that a few times and it seems to work okay, but I don't do it regularaly. maybe I'll try bucking most of the way through the whole log, splitting pieces off as I go along knocking it apart. Thanks.

[@bigalcervantes5118]

Thanks for the advice my friend. Fantastic video. My buddy dumped huge pieces of mesquite in my truck to cut. I'm glad I saw this video.

[@SkillCult]

I've never dealt with mesquite. I just found out recently though that the wood can be used to tan leather.

[@jakysz145]

Last time I was spliting fire wood I was using medium size fiskar's axe and it was very light and agile, and I noticed that some times when I hit laying round to pick it up it splits, than I realized that I can use same technique that you are talking about and it was very good, but still bigger rounds I hat to bring on stump.

[@willcarmack1242]

Fantastic channel...and content!!! Top shelf educational information tried and tested... and proof to back it up. I have always loved bushcraft techniques/tools...Especially the Old-school technology of the ax...such an amazing tool..and your dedication and knowledge is a Godsend..Thank you for the gift. Much Respect from St Petersburg Florida...

[@willcarmack1242]

Also New Sub here....so much to learn....Again great job....Thanks again for sharing your knowledge...

[@mrlasvegasboy]

That was awesome man I definitely learned a few things

[@icysurfer1]

Thanks tons, Man....! New woodsman by necessity in the extreme Maine woods. Lovin it.

[@SkillCult]

Sounds like good times. Check out the axe book by my Maine man Dudley Cook.

[@jimmylarge1148]

Your splitting chopped wood idea makes a lot of sense to me. I’m one of those (like you) guys that will think abt the physics and different variables and techniques before I try them. I wanna understand why u get more power this way vs that. Not to brag but I’m pretty good at it and your theory abt the chopped logs definitely checks out 100%. Haven’t tried it yet but the Theory is sound.

[@SkillCult]

I still think it's legit. And I don't think splitting flat sawn ends by hitting the edge instead of the flat is as effective. I think it can be an improvement sometimes though. To me, the trinity of knowledge is information-experience-comtemplation, rinse and repeat. none by itself is as powerful as the trinity.

[@jacobbolton4227]

"Persist and you may be surprised about how much easier it gets" 18:30

[@erickgregoryful]

A great mindset to have with any/everything. Right on time my new friend!

[@artiet5982]

Thank you for this video. Great advice for me. Appreciated

[@DavidPulsipher]

really enjoyed some of the replay on this one... and the "pop" of the wood splitting is just dreamy.

[@DavidPulsipher]

Also - the council tool boy's axe seems to be your most heavily used/favorite... is that fair?

[@SkillCult]

I do like it and it's a good bargain. I wanted to test the hell out of it, because it seems like a good axe for people to buy, especially when starting out because of qualtiy and value. So far so good. There are a lot of good vintage axes, but they are likely to need a new handle and those have been hard to come by. Even the replacement handles for this axe get a bad review on the council tool website.

[@chuck805]

Skillcult, you and Buckin' Billy Ray Smith split wood the same way. Looks like you've taken D. Cooks advise about keeping your legs and feet away from where the axe might go. Great explanation and very easy to understand. And you gave Buckin' a shoutout? Now I know why I subscribed to your channel. Stay safe my friend.

[@SkillCult]

Buckin' rocks. I have definitely been very influenced by him and dudley. Also by the Vidos of axe connected. I don't recall what Cook said about that, but I read his whole book a couple times. I should read back through it again sometimes soon.

[@petrpitha9966]

We have a small cottage in the mountains with a lot of knotty firewood stored. There are no good axes, just a couple of shitty hatchets. After watching this video, I decided to just give it a try. The saw-cut spruce logs are huge and full of giant knots. But I managed to split most of them, before the hatchet handle broke. So thanks for the help I guess :) If I ever get the chance, I'll do the challenge, it soinds fun & usefull.

[@SkillCult]

Cool, stay safe. Hatchets are especially dangerous with the short handle. The shorter the handle, pretty much the most likely we are to hit ourselves or hit vital areas like face or thigh. I posted an update recently emphasizing some saftey issues.

[@kylehenze8370]

Never seen this method before. Very impressive.

[@thejerseyj9422]

Explaining your moves and giving commentary are probably as hard as the splitting ! I think it was Abraham Lincoln who said "split your own wood and you'll warm yourself twice". Thanks for your efforts.

[@allenharoldsen9040]

This is exciting to see you explain it. It occurred to me that I have been using these techniques without knowing it (well, most of them anyway) but I get so frustrated when I watch others. They can be doing it all wrong but I can’t figure out how to explain it to them (and I’m scared for my ax). This helps immensely.

[@SkillCult]

Thanks, good feedback. The fundamental strategy stuff is super important. Without that, people will waste tons of energy hitting the wrong spots or in the wrong order. That stuff should be what people are taught first, then the technique stuff.

[@leoa2773]

Well first of all , thank you. I’m a total beginner in with an Ax ( I’ll receive my first tomorrow) , and couldn’t find a better video regarding safety AND technique. I thought that I wouldn’t be able to sit trough the whole video but those 40 minutes just felt like 10. I learned so much ! I think that none of the things you said were useless , sometimes a long video is needed , you can’t learn that in 2 minutes. First this , then lots of practice. Thanks again for taking your time to make this video , everyone starting with wood splitting should watch it. +1 sub

[@SkillCult]

Thanks for the feedback. Be really careful doing this kind of work until you start to get comfortable with the tool and really pay attention to your positioning. The axe can easily glance off and end up in your leg if you are not standing well enough away. It is decidedly awkward to stay safely positioned, but you get used to it eventually.. Cheers..

[@brianmacdonald3292]

You sir are an excellent trainer. I learned so much from you. Thank you for sharing your skills and knowledge with this great video. You covered so much in interesting detail. I had no idea of all the details involved.

[@ShotQ63]

Been cutting wood since i turned 8 years old and my dad shutoff the gas to our house in northern Utah, you know how to handle your Ax , well done

[@SkillCult]

Thanks!

[@ShotQ63]

Never did cut myself , but thought i broke my leg for a minute or 2 , learned pretty fast , good to help newbies learn , there wasn't any thing for me out there before , good job , 54 nowadays

[@SkillCult]

I don't remember cutting myself either. A few close calls and maybe a couple of scary moments felling over the years. Some of those near misses impressed on me deeply though!

[@WayneTheSeine]

Thanks for some great instruction....and free at that. I love hitting some red oak and having it pop open like a ripe watermelon....great sound, great feelling.

[@SkillCult]

Soooo satisfying!

[@adamasz54]

Thank you for concise and comprehensive 'knotting' theory with practice of splitting knotty pieces! For those with simple straight fibers the job comes easy. And that 'cross pendulum' idea of chopping wood; worth to be tried out in life!

[@joshrowe2275]

Same thought prodded I have when splitting, sometimes I’ll just go through the stack of wood and crack a couple potential easy splitters before I set them all up just to see what I can do without having to touch any logs. I’m usually surprised how easy they are at times and I save tons of time.

[@wilsonhallman5708]

You! My friend are a pro. I learned more from this video than you know. Thank you.

[@Greenmachine305]

Interesting. You put into words what I learned through trial and error splitting many cords as a boy.

[@mvblitzyo]

really enjoy the hands on how videos your doing .Ive done most of your technique through trial an error . never read a book on it . but thanks the wonderful explanation of how to properly use an Axe. an yes i tell people about you videos .. they often say Joe you are one of the few with the art of lost ways ..

[@SkillCult]

Thanks! Dudley cook covers it well in his The Axe Book. He and Buckin Billy Ray Smith got me using it, along with just deciding I wanted to use whatever axe I was chopping with.

[@chuckthebull]

"all right fine, be that way" made me a laugh cause i always say that, like the wood is a conscious thing that defies me in some bratty way..HA! Great demonstration, you gave me a world of good info here to keep me and the axe safe.

[@odn7769]

supercool! thanks for the tipps and beautifull footage!

[@VDJ4500]

okay, this is awesome with one exception: one has to master his axe and the precision of blows. I can see myself in a tremendous pain at my present skillset if I'd try this haha. So I'd say that this is for the "advanced practitioners" who do not hit their shin when aiming for a log.

[@SkillCult]

yeah, it requires some skills. I did another vid emphasizing the most important safety points, but a certain level of skill is still required to be effective

[@mascatrails661]

The explanation toward the end about how so much of the split is just getting it started and with the chiseled end, you are fighting less material to begin the split resounds with me. This is the first I've seen of your axe harvested firewood and I may have to give it a try myself.

[@slowdancer5563]

Incredible video. Thank you.

[@mshockley17]

What a great video. I picked up so many great tips and insights. Thanks man!

[@SkillCult]

You're welcome. Stay safe!

[@gregk7915]

Hey Skillcult- Just was messing around with some oak rounds (saw cut) stacked a couple high and starting swinging my splitting axe with a low golf like swing at the pile and I was blowing through them either completely or giving em' major splits. Very cool, thanks man!

[@SkillCult]

Way cool Greg. It's awesome when everything lines up. Watch those feet and ankles. It's so easy to get lax about positioning and direction of strike.

[@emlillthings7914]

I had a short ramble on axis off-center, and then remembered this gem of a splitting(+++) vid,, ,,, and now I am watching it again, getting so damn stoked for tomorrow

[@SkillCult]

Alright, split on axe brah!

[@emlillthings7914]

It's such a good vid, even though you point it out being long. With it, I can just edit out whenever I begin to ramble, and link this in the doobydoo, making my vids shorter. Thanks :D

[@SkillCult]

Kill your darlings. I figure as long as I'm not being too pendantic (unless it's to good effect somehow) and I'm still delivering information, I just keep it and it is what it is. But that leaves a lot of pauses, repeats, excess information, only partially relevant anecdotes, etc to slice out.

[@NomadMakes]

I have been binge watching your vids. And I must say, you seem to have your integrity in order. You most definitely come through as skilled in your craft and seem deserving of respect for that, but what I really think you deserve respect for - is what you try to communicate in the "disclaimer" in the beginning of this video. That you do not want to make your opinions into dogma, and that you yourself is in a learning process.

[@SkillCult]

Thanks, I like this comment :)

[@itllkeal]

Love what you're doin. Thanks for sharing

[@davidfox7132]

The point you make at the end about axe cut wood being easier to split is spot on, as is your reasoning behind why. The same principle applies to how seemingly small mousey dudes tear massive phone books in half, there's a trick to it. Focusing the force into a shear plane, once the tear (or split in this case) gets started, makes it much easier to continue through the material. They do this by pinching/bunching the pages so that they're only tearing a few pages at a time, much easier than trying to tear it all at once. It's much easier to keep a split going than to try and make it happen all at once. That's why log splitters have to have such high amounts of pushing "weight" behind them to do the same job a properly swung axe or maul can. That being said, you're still a lumber wizard. I'm consistently gobsmacked at the speed, power, and efficiency of your work. Thanks for the quality content!

[@SkillCult]

Yeah, I think it's right. I didn't get it at first, but it makes sense now. Now I'm going to look for phone books

[@BabakPA]

Thank you Steven! Very informative video as always!

[@SkillCult]

Thanks :)

[@BabakPA]

SkillCult 😊👊🏻

[@harrisquicksilver6595]

What u were saying at the end 38:20 is that when the axe starts to split the round if it is a smaller amount of wood (tapered) then it will be easier for the axe to get started in to the round, as opposed to a flat surface (flat cut end) which is more wood for the axe to split at its initiating point. And yes very true point chopping is physics, & u are very smart sir.

[@SkillCult]

Yeah, I think we have come to pretty much the same conclusion. It's easier to get the split started and that is a lot of the battle. Easier to continue a split that is already started than initiate a much larger crack across a flat surface.

[@bobrascal]

“do it when you’re sure you can do it and not before”

[@stevenblake8642]

Hey i just wanted to come on here and let u know im takin on the cordwood challenge!I just started today !it's winter now and I can't do my firewood anymore so i decided the cordwood challenge would give me something to do this long winter!I'm doing softwood such as hemlock,my property is full of smaller size hemlock and they need to go anyway,plus they chop very nicely!I've chosen two axes to do this and the wood will just be used for campwood and or outside fire pit so it won't be going to waste eaither,I'm supper excited about this!

[@SkillCult]

awesome. There are a few differences this year. One is you can cut any size and it will be measured by number of cuts against a standard cord that is 48 inch logs, 48" high and 8 feet long, anyting is measured against that as the standard equivalent, or Axe Cord Equivalent ACE. So, if you cut 24 inch wood, you only have to cut a half cord of actual wood, because that equals the same number of cuts roughly as the standard cord @ 48" lengths, but if you want, you can cut any size and calculate the equivalent of the base cord. But, with that formula there is a one ACE minimum. I'm doing this because enough people want to cut for uses other than a woodstove, like you. Also, so everyone is making roughly the same number of bucking cuts, which is the majority of the work. I should have an official start video by Jan 1st and running through Sept 1st this year instead of June 1st. But, you are welcome to start now.

[@SkillCult]

Oh, and stay safe :)

[@stihl_joking570]

Great vid and solid axemanship! If that’s a world lol!!

[@BradGad]

This so great! Exactly what I was looking for to start to begin the initial stages of the first part of mastering my just-acquired GB Ray Wilderness axe. I have gotten OK, pretty food, with a hatchet, but - much as I love my hatchets - it’s a bastard tool (in the technical sense). I really resond to your take on using on tool... using the chopping axe as the processing tool. I have been reading Cook’s Axe Book, which is such a treasure, and when you referenced it, I knew I could trust you. And, I really like... and I think I get... the parts about “reading” a piece of wood. Like reading a stretch of water.

[@SkillCult]

I'm glad it's useful. Just pay attention to staying out of the danger zones with your feet. I just did a follow up vid on that to reitterate. I'm not familiar with that axe, but it's probably short. The shorter the axe, that more dangerous for this and most things. Hatchets are pretty bad that way, I mean short and dangerous. Great tools, but have to be used carefully. Cheers.

[@twilightgardenspresentatio6384]

I often use a chisel and a few wedges. Lightweight work makes easy going

[@medeiros3610]

Finally a dude that can swing a axe on you tube. Beats all these kids shining their axe on their moms couch

[@oldschooljack3479]

I helped my cousin split an 8' locust log lengthwise into staves with a sledge and wedges... Afterwards I wondered if that would be an efficient way to make firewood... Split the log lengthwise into staves... And then chop the staves into stove length pieces. Probably wouldn't work as well on some hardwoods or really knotty/twisted wood. But if you have several feet of clear, straight grained wood, it seems it would be really efficient.

[@SkillCult]

that is standard practice in parts of Europe. Most often though I think they are using easy to split woods, like beech that have been practically farmed for centuries. so a typical log is only 4 to 6 billets. They are usually split from the ends with a maul, seasoned, then bucked to length in piles, or on a big circular saw with a rocking cradle, often powered by a tractor PTO. there are a few videos in this playlist, kzbin.info/www/bejne/kH63n5t6p52Kl5Y

[@TheOldManOutdoors]

Excellent video. I learned a lot. Thank you!

[@daniellanier9090]

Not a chopper but I am a splitter, thanks for all the technical information.

[@scotyfilms]

I guess we all have our way within the world we live. Out here on the coast, It's a mall and spitting wedges. I don't split anything less than 16". 3ft - 4ft cants are best. Sometimes I'll get a cord out of six 40" cants. Its great because the split wood doesn't fall over after each wack.

[@simidhel]

The trailer looked fun but scary, probably partly due it being so different to the norm when splitting wood, but your subsequent explanation of it was excellent. Your constant balancing of assessing the wood structure, avoiding the knots via plane and strike point selection whilst also protecting your self and the axe via position and controlled power is just brilliant. I can see how developing that skill on both a strategic and physical technique level, to where it becomes second nature, could quickly become addictive and much less of a drudge than some of the standard methods. Intelligent axe work and really nicely conveyed through your presentation and teaching style. *Quicker, funner, better, smarter...* Oh, and understood about the axe cut wood being easier to split. The cross section of the tapered wood would minimise the surface area of the strike point from the blade and hence maximise the initial penetrative power intensity, versus the larger surface area of a length of the blade striking a flat surface when splitting saw cut wood? Great video, thanks!

[@SkillCult]

thanks for that thoughtful comment. It takes time and chops and being a little warmed up to start to fly through the stuff. Also, easy wood helps, but everything I split here is easy as long as it's not growing really weird. Tha's not because I choose easy woods, they are all just good splitters. I think the thing about hitting axe cut wood on the wedge shaped end is probably correct, just as you described it. I'm pretty sure it's try regardless. Of course similar may be true hitting on the edge of a round as in the video I linked by upnorthof60 but I'm not convinced it's as effective yet.

[@samadams9557]

Man I love it. I call it man gold. I need a smaller axe. I use the American felling axe and I think I’d do better with something lighter. Used to have a nice HB that would have been perfect but someone decided they needed it more than I. Thinking the Scandinavian forest axe may be my next purchase.

[@SkillCult]

Those forest axes are very small. I have a series on modifying one. they are compromise axes in amost every way, existing in a limbo. Very versatile, but possibly best for nothing. For splitting, I would usually use a full sized felling type, but for general forest work or one axe, the boys axes pretty well suits the bill for me.

[@BeSatori]

As an alternative to "pushing" your swing when trying to avoid coming at your legs I actually like to crouch, or bend at the knees, dropping my whole body to change the trajectory of the arc. I seems to generate more power, instead of less, when that is useful.

[@SkillCult]

That has never worked for me personally. Also, my body isn't what it used to be, especially one of my knees. Splitting with the maul, I've been sort of cultivating the least amount of movement. I see younger people using this maul technique where they lift it way up over their heads and come down with the whole body, but I couldn't do that anymore if I wanted to. I'm thinking more along the lines of bruce lee's one inch punch. How much speed can I generate in a shorter space using that rotational leverage. When I get into a situation where I have to keep the handle parallel to the ground. Any twisting aside, it still comes down to speed with any given axe. Once I get it going, I can push faster than I can squat, but combining the two, might be more than the sum of it's parts. I don't think either or both together can equal the speed produced by that rotational mechanical advantage with various body parts as the pivot point. This is a fun playlist i put together of people splitting wood on youtube. kzbin.info/www/bejne/kH63n5t6p52Kl5Y

[@Tony-rd9rc]

A bit of a strange question, atm I can't get my hand on a sharpening stone for my Axe, at home I have some sandpaper and files, but I've heard u could use some types of rock to sharpen an Axe, any recommendation? Update: I tried 3 different rocks: *Limestone (calcite) hardness 2.7: No effect on Axe *sandstone (usually quartz rich so hardness around 7): bit deep into Axe, grit is too low to sharpen properly (may vary in other rocks) *unknown plutonic rock: (around 50% quartz) the rock was polished flat and at first was too smooth, after rubbing some of that sandpaper( can't use file... Steel has a hardness of around 5 to 6.5 i believe) on it's surface the rock managed to finish the job after about a whopping 70 minutes of pure rubbing. I think the rock was so fine that a burr didn't form at the tip Note that the hardness listed are those of the main mineral the rocks contain. The rocks themselves are probably a bit softer. Oh and yes the rocks were lubricated There u go, no clue why I wrote all this, hope y'all find it useful

[@lukearts2954]

Ah, those knotty beeches are always a challenge, but once broken in they can be so satisfying... X'D

[@krustysurfer]

Great observations Steven! Aloha

[@markschafer4554]

Hi, I find your videos interesting and helpful in the way you treat viewers like adults and caution them to think for themselves regarding their own skill level, risk aversion and safety consciousness. Do you have any updated comments in hind sight for this video?

[@SkillCult]

Not a lot I would do different, more emphasis on safety if that's possible, and the ways things go wrong. not much different, just different ways of saying it or emphasis. especially where to stand. I did a video just on that because I keep seeing people ignoring standing "behind" the blow. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eJmrlKSklJx0a7c

[@panama-canada]

You opened my eyes!

[@HWLee-vu4hv]

Thanks for sharing this valuable knowledge

[@SkillCult]

Thanks.