STOP Splitting Firewood Like This!

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/ bravethewilds

[@MisterBlue55]

Hi Kenny. I'm from London, England and I'm old enough to be your grandfather. If I were one of your parents, I would be so, so proud of your achievements. I know from a young boy you have been learning your skills and you are such a good teacher. I watch every one of your videos and I would like to thank you for the entertainment and education you have provided for a long time. Keep up the good work, Kenny.

[@jakewalter3729]

Tom Noonan I

[@street1013]

Cool comment man. I agree with u. Im a young man like him myself (33) and love the woods like him myself.

[@rolinychupetin]

Hi Kenny and Tom, I'm from BC, Canada, wood country, and I agree with Tom. Keep up the good work, Kenny.

[@zippyuk]

agreed - well said!

[@mitchelltorrence]

Fantastic video. You have years of knowledge beyond your age and are obviously a gifted teacher. Hope you're still engaged in this type of stuff even 7 years after this video was posted. Thanks so much.

[@skillz1571ify]

WOW! This was very helpful. My son and I was just out back chopping wood and we did pretty good for our first time. But this video really took it to another level. I can't wait to get back to my backyard. I'm glad I watched your video. Thanks

[@ruralhomesteader6650]

Great video. Chopping wood is very dangerous if you get distracted or not paying attention

[@permaculturecommunityclass3661]

Took a wee slice to my thumb tendon yesterday...nearly healed now but kicked me up the ass to learn how to split properly. This was the most useful video I found! Thanks a lot

[@OutworkOPP]

Excellent excellent excellent. This makes things so much better. I was cutting today and I couldn’t quite get this step. Thanks again

[@russellmoore1533]

Here in Australia using some of those techniques on our hardwood eucalypts just wouldn't work. I'm always amazed at how easy it looks to split your softwoods. An old Aussie woodcutter taught me how to split gums using a splitter axe, taking pieces off the side of the log and working your way around the sides. Try and cross split our gums with an aze and it will get stuck in the timber for sure. Great clip though, lots of good ideas in it.

[@matildaadventurer41]

I agree. There's no way I would use my knife to baton Aussie hardwoods.

[@TwoPlusTwoEqualsFive32]

I have never needed an axe when I go camping for splitting logs. Australian trees absolutely just love dropping dry branches, most will snap if you put them against a tree and give it a kick. If not a good hand saw half the way through it and kick it again.

[@stormtrooperliam]

i dont know about that ive split green wood at 5 degrees here in iowa pretty easily before.

[@79pejeperro]

Russell Moore all kinds of gum are terribly hard to split... maybe redwood gum is the easiest one but it's still really hard. It takes both skill and strength but the great firewood they provide is well worth the effort

[@wagsmoto147]

Hey Russell, I'm 17 and I only just learnt this technique from a friend a few months ago. Before I use so much energy trying to split logs right down the middle. However it only take 1 or 2 hits to split a side off. Wish I read this comment a few years back, would've saved a lot of time and effort. Do you have anymore tips on how to split wood?

[@iangoodwingacich8923]

Thank you sir. I cut my knuckle this past summer and it did not want to stop bleeding. I'm sure it won't happen again with these techniques. Much appreciated.

[@raywalter3992]

nice to see young people with real knowledge and able too share it !! Blessings to you and yours!!

[@petcatznz]

Great video and advice. Another technique, one that I always use, is to stabilise the kindling to be split vertically with a piece of previously cut kindling, thus keeping my holding hand well away from the proximity of the axe. Been doing it that way for thirty years, no injuries so far.

[@vkaa3k190]

The alternative method for splitting wood is at around 9:00

[@Kleinalrik]

I should develop the habit to read the comments before watching. Coulda saved me alot of time.

[@31saint31]

Boiled Linseed oil on your wooden handles will stop the shrinkage and keep them from rotting if they get wet.

[@jacquesblaque7728]

Can you provide reference on how BLO seals wood against moisture transfer? Evidence I've seen says otherwise. See Hoadley's "Understanding Wood" for a complete discussion on wood & water, and lots of other Good Stuff.

[@jwr778]

31saint31 boy this great information I went out and got some and treated my hammer and splitting maul and axe

[@brandyf1932]

Thank you for the tip. Brandyf from West Texas.

[@alexmclain8097]

@@jacquesblaque7728 mostly just through experiences with different handles and whether or not they were treated, the oil gets soaked into the wood and fills in the "tubes" of the wood. Just like how wet wood expands, the oiled wood expands but then the oils don't evaporate out the same as water does so it doesn't shrink the handle or let other liquid soak in

[@coffeebuzzz]

@@jacquesblaque7728 Try and wash out an oily rag with water.

[@therealmccoy70]

This video has been a lot of help for me. Thank you

[@TheKinGJux]

I love splitting wood, i see a lot of people do dangers things while splitting wood, great info. I heard a story a while back about a guy way back when who was roughing it and he missed the wood and hit his ankle, he was unable to get to help and his wound got infected and he died, always be careful when splitting wood and never drink and swing.

[@trentszeponski3456]

I can see the love of the Lord God all through out this video. Even when the tiny insects are nipping at his arms or getting in front of his eyes. God is always trying to get our attention. Thank you Kenny for sharing this video and for your love to anyone whom finds your videos.

[@Moonshinedave1]

Something I learned a long time ago when using my table saw: use a push stick. in the case of holding wood for splitting, use a small stick to hold the wood keeping hands fingers and other likeable body parts away from sharp things. Sticks are easier to replace than fingers, and a lot less painful.

[@mikesibert1723]

Great vid Kenny. I saw the episode where Mary Kate got hurt. I cringed when she first started splitting wood that way. Kind of a no brainer figuring out she was gonna get cut. Keep these type of vids coming. Thanks

[@sundancer442]

Ijust learnt more in 2minutes, than in 20years of splitting firewood ! Thanks very much.

[@ryanj6877]

I'm guilty of doing the bad method, almost on a weekly basis. I've seen people older than me (26) do it that way which is why I learned it. I'm looking forward on going away next week for 9 odd days and feel confident on not hurting myself. Most of the time when I go to camp, I'm cutting falling timber and stocking the wood pile. These methods will save my life someday so thank you!

[@timm1139]

"...knives the size of lawnmower blades..." great line!

[@jamescason1674]

Lawn mower blade makes a great camping knive. Have one from years back I made still use all the time very good video

[@pyroman6000]

Looks over at Ka Bar knife in sheath. Hey!.... Used lawn mower blades are damn handy! My Fire Department used to keep a couple on our rescue- they cut through safety glass like a hot knife through butter! A blade and hammer or axe could remove a windshield from a wrecked car at least as quickly as a fancy glass saw could- and cost FAR less. You already have the striking tool. It'd likely be great for batoning kindling, too- esp one of those mulching blades. Just wrap the end you aren't using in some duct tape to prevent cuts.

[@ericdysert1880]

was a boy scout, have been chopping wood forever.... but never thought of the side cut.... thank you

[@Mixwell1983]

I like those techniques. Before you said anything i was thinking lay it down and chop the length not top but didnt know u were gna use the two hand approach. Will def add that to my memory bank if i go camping and need to split wood

[@WoodFiresWithVince]

I really enjoyed this video, lots of good careful thinking here, I know two people who pretty much lost their first finger cutting kindling. I'm sure you know the 'sissy stick' technique - but maybe good to mention it in your next video. Thanks for making it.

[@coacoapuff123]

I have been doing it the same way that girl in Alone did. You have taught me how to break this bad habit. Thank you, Sir.

[@defauluse5524]

Nice job. When my heads get loose. I soak the whole head in a bucket of used motor oil for a few days, closer to a week. This causes the wood to swell. Works like a charm.

[@hmh3808]

My uncle Elwood and his 9 fingers would've benefitted from this vid...haha! You are an EXCELLENT teacher! You need your own show, at the very least teach bushcraft if you don't already...I'm going to watch all of yours now, you're the best! Clear, concise, knowledgeable and w great demos...thank u! More Plse.

[@cintie45]

Best one I have seen so far and I have looked at many, and especially from one who looks like my grandson Thank You

[@1stcSOLDIER]

Lol

[@janelleanderson6744]

God's blessings on you, son.

[@b2spirit86]

Hey, I know this video is from 6 yrs ago but still thanks for all these nice tips. I've never been camping before but suddenly things changed for my lifestyle and I started go camping after I'm 36. so basically I'm old enough but I had no idea and no skills just like tiny kids. now I gotta learn everything by myself and this video helped me a lot.

[@abebroham6417]

Great video. Actually just what I was looking for. So much of the wood I have is not fully dried. I've split many of the larger pieces. Is the best medicine to get it down small just waiting for it to dry?

[@LatinoGrande]

Can't never be too safe, Thanks for taking the time and sharing

[@commiesarehorrible7622]

Pretty good ideas for cutting up wood. Doing things safe is important especially when by yourself.

[@Heatsauce70506]

I like the log and Axe in one hand. I think i'm going to start using that one.

[@Woodys_Wisdom]

yeah its pretty ingenious

[@michaelsullivan8934]

If youre having trouble with axe handles drying out, really soak the endgrain by the head with boiled linseed oil after youve mounted the head. You can also intentionally dry the wood before you mount the head so it woll soak up more oil and swell up more.

[@williammcginley3448]

Wish I had seen your video a bit earlier. Almost chopped my thumb off three weeks ago. Didn't cut all the way through the tendon, but sure got my attention in a "bloody" hurry! Got my cast off yesterday and am doing fine......about $2,000 poorer after medical bills though.

[@Soothsayer210]

have you tried stacking all those wood in an old tyre and splitting them. Works like a charm and safe too.

[@BruceThee]

Wish I watched this two months ago. Could have avoided three weeks of having my thumb wrapped while it healed. The nerves still haven’t healed; the top of my thumb is numb for a little over an inch. I was using a small splitting axe.

[@douggoines]

Great video! Nice to see someone teaching axe safety tips who actually admits that like the rest of us they sometimes do the wrong thing. Keep up the good work!

[@nextphase2000]

This guy is one of the very best amateur/DIY speakers that I have seen on KZbin. I am a grammar nazi and can't help it as well as being an engineer and truly happy and certainly more knowledgeable now after watching this video. One commenter said straight out of the Boy Scout Handbook. I think is't great that the scouts teach this, if so, but I am not a scout so thank you for sharing with the rest of us!

[@lukep6017]

Excellent advice.

[@johnr.timmers2297]

Boiled Linseed oil for the handles. Coat thoroughly, maybe even make a tape pool for the top to let it sit overnight. It will swell and smooth the wood permanently.

[@wbdrugstrat]

thanks for the video. i live in the tropics and ocassionally need to use the axe, and not having much experience it is great to learn how to optimize safety. thanks.

[@izatt82]

soak the loose handle in linseed oil might expand enough to be usable.

[@sierragoldrush7479]

Same principal with the axe handle. You hit the butt of the handle on the stump to seat the head. But it was smart to put it aside till you could fix it.

[@roncar1761]

Thanks from "Three Finger" 🤟 Ron from Portland Oregon!

[@alexbeedie6940]

I make my axe handles out of green wood I just leave it near my wood burning stove for a few days before I fit it and then soak in linseed oil it stops my handles coming lose.

[@longscallop2107]

Thank you for making this video. I was always afraid to split kindling but now I'm going to try this. :)

[@MrBirdonawire]

I love that technique of holding the axe and small piece together. I appreciate that knowledge. I will be doing that from now on. This past summer, I took off the tip of my finger holding my kindling while striking. I grew up around axes and bushcraft. Like with the girl on alone. I simply got too complacent and cocky and I paid the price. So this will be my new technique. Thank you my friend for this informative video.

[@QuantumMech_88]

It's amazing how many people who think they have woods experience have never heard of or used a Tip Stick which is nothing more than a stick used to hold small wood upright while using a hatchet or axe ... and preferably a hatchet - large knife or machete . More than a few individuals have bled to death far from any hospital because they were not trained and got in a hurry . This video is like a Public Service Announcement - very much needed and should be required viewing . Congrats and Thanks .

[@dannybaker4641]

I saw that episode.I also have the scar to show why that's not a good technique. I even knew better but just wasn't thinking.Now I do.Great video Kenny.

[@astrazenica7783]

cool hatchet, been looking for one like that -- pole/hammer hatchet with the pry groove. Almost like roofing hatchet but bigger

[@ACoupleStoners]

Thanks for the video. I Just got my first wood stove installed in our bus and this will help a ton.

[@imtopher61]

I did exactly what you're talking about two weeks ago. I put a 3/4 inch gash in my index finger. 4 stitches and $840 dollar hospital bill.

[@kingbradypus3505]

If your handles have shrunk, try dunking them in water or oil. Oil will take longer to expand the handle but will last longer, it saves you handles. Old logger trick my dad taught me.

[@gunner1811]

Yes! Green hardwood splits nice when the temp drops below freezing.

[@TheTikinator]

I love that you do these kinds of videos. I first discovered you on KZbin because of things like this. Excellent! Thanks for another helpful vid!

[@LDBoone]

Soak head/handle in oil when not using. Solves handle shrinking

[@preparedsurvivalist2245]

Good tips and techniques Kenny. Another thing that helps avoid hand injuries is leather gloves. They will prevent most cuts and significantly decrease the severity of these types of injuries.

[@TheINTELBRIEF]

That handle looks good,when they loosen just soak the axe head and handle in some antifreeze over night ,it's an old blacksmith trick,it'll save you the trouble of having to put on a new handle.

[@outdoorsmansgarage]

I've never seen anyone use the techniques that you've explained and shown very cool however every time I see somebody batoning with a knife makes me kind of twitch a little bit I just don't baton with knives

[@NYZOutdoors]

Good video. Safety is always important.

[@Away.Aweigh.A.Way.]

The technique you did with the knife at the end is called batoning and you showed the perfect way to do it. Anything bigger diameter than what you were working with is best left to the axe. On the other side of the same coin when your wood gets to thin to baton with a knife, you can do a similar technique to the one you used when you swung the axe and the wood together. Simply put the point of your knife into the side grain, and swing them both into the stump. Your knife will pierce through the wood and into the stump. Then you just push the wood into blade and you can get some super thin pieces of kindling.

[@joycastle2881]

Good video , I should say another good video. How long have you been doing these video's now ? Time flies it seems, I know it has been several years now . a old man, that weeks go by like days

[@NRGDiesel]

soak the handle in Ethel glycol antifreeze full strength and they will swell and tighten.

[@juststeve8902]

Really good tips bud! Definitely gonna try these out even around the house

[@MrBogeyone]

I split wood every day during the winter for my wood heater in the shop. I process down to baseball size with a hatchet and then baton on down with a hand made hand ax..........or a thick mower blade that has been beveled with a bedknife grinder to a sword edge and has plate steel welded to both sides for a thicker handle that WON'T break from hitting it. If anyone processes wood regularly, I suggest they get a dedicated blade for batoning. Doesn't have to be real long but needs to be at least 3/8 inches thick on the spine or back of the blade for easier splitting. I also make wedges for helping split wood. I'll dig around in my videos and see if I still have one of me processing wood at four in the morning in 34 degree shop.

[@Lilyflowers659]

Hey kenny great tutorial and good sound advice, I’m saving your video to let hubby watch. Thank you so much 😊

[@snaponjohn100]

Thanks for the post. Great tips. Have a blessed week. John

[@Grizz270]

the plum is a rigging axe meant for frameing not a roofing hammer

[@danskpridehansen9191]

the most simple things are the most effective, great video ✠

[@Qdexer]

Thanks for showing this technique.

[@davidgenthnerjr4995]

Glad your keeping the unsafe educated. I prefer the baton method with the knife or with my camp hatchet. Great video.

[@waxyTOOL]

I ALWAYS use my lawnmower blade knife to make kindling. Soo much safer than the hatchet I used for years as a kid with wood stove heat only. Shocked that I never cut off an arm or leg. Time for a video on replacing that loose handle! Keep it up, Kenny, good work!

[@raulsalza]

Great video, What knife are you using?

[@jamesjones8256]

very good will be watching you again Jim

[@oldtimer4567]

Other than safety, your second best point was, that if its dry out, your just going to gather small kindling from your surroundings instead of trying to process it with an axe. That's exactly what I do. No need to over think it, over complicate it or over work it.

[@chrisgibson2328]

If you put your loose axe heads in a bucket of water overnight it should tighten the wood (swell the wood).

[@jacobl2203]

Ever since learning to baton with a knife at 12 years old, I've rarely needed a hatchet (or small axe as he calls it). I've batoned down small trees and split a lot of fuel (small logs as big as 1 to 2 times the size of my wrist). I carry an estwing campers axe (with the orange handle) just in case, but I rarely use it. Also, lay a log down horizontal in front of you and lay a medium size log vertical against the horizontal log. Split the vertical log against the horizontal log. It's easy!

[@davisfamily1712]

you can also just get a decent size branch and use it to hit the hatchet into the wood. Great video though, too many people forget the old ways

[@ChickensAndGardening]

Some great ideas for safe wood splitting! I'm kind of new at it, and I hit my hand once -- no major injury, just a cut -- which cured me forever of putting my hand in harm's way. If it won't stand by itself on the stump, I'll lean it against the stump, bury the axe in it, then continue from there on the stump as usual. But the parallel/axe+wood method is very cool, will have to try that. I also recently got that New Zealand gadget, the upside-down axe-in-a-ring thing and it's great for making kindling (obviously not something you're going to bring on a hike, though).

[@FunkyNutbar1982]

Do you also sell propane and propane accessories? Great video, always good to learn some new techniques! Thanks.

[@street1013]

Im trying to figure out why u asked that

[@defauluse5524]

@@street1013 it's because he's a dick. One of the only dbs to watch Hank on King of the Hill.

[@brendaberrygreen]

Thanks for all the good information. Well done.

[@chaosvolt]

Definitely interesting. Though if I already have a hatchet and need finer kindling, I might prefer hammering the hatchet into it instead, enough to seat it to lift and split. Same idea as demonstrated a bit before that. Especially as if you get fine enough, you start getting it not quite down the middle and wind up creating finer pieces that'd be better as tinder. XP

[@Anonymous-ul4er]

If you use boiled linseed oil on your handles it will keep them from shrinking

[@kurtsimmons1587]

I’ve got to say I cannot believe the thumbs down you received! I myself didn’t know this and I’m twice your age at least! Kudos to you young man!!!!

[@dro1956]

try tightening the axe head by soaking the wood with linseed oil. or I also heard antifreeze works but haven't tried that yet.

[@flon57]

great advice, thanks for the vid, safety is ALWAYS the priority

[@heisafraid]

Aw I thought this was a new video, just got recommended after so many years

[@leslieb6881]

You only need to soak a loose ax head in a pail of water for 2 minutes to make the dried handle expand back to tighten it up.

[@punknhead23]

Canoe the Boundary Waters several times a year. No cell towers no roads etc. We don't even take an ax with us. Anything we need can easily be gotten with a good folding saw. You may be 5+ portages/lakes away from getting help (if you are even mobile after an injury) Not worth the risk in a situation like that. Great video! p.s. I yelled Nooooooo! at my TV as Mary Kate was using that method to split her kinding 3 seconds before her ax slipped!

[@derek8095]

wish I saw this before cutting through my hand lol, great advice

[@backwoodsminnesota6858]

put boiled linseed oil on the eye and handle to prevent handle loosening

[@johng9815]

Holding the axe against the wood (for kindling) and then striking it against a larger log is really smart and safe. I never really thought of it that way. You can always learn something from even the simple things. Keep up the good work.

[@Row389]

Tks for great ideas Stay safe y’all from Toronto Canada 🇨🇦

[@awittypilot8961]

Look up crazy Russian hacker....his method of splitting wood works great and it's a hell of a lot safer than hitting the end

[@BlueCollarBibleStudy]

Thats the technique I use. I had some really dense apple I could hardly split from striking the end grain and I switched to that method. I flew through it and while using less force.

[@phoenixtwo87]

You just really seem to know your content! You also seem to love it! I will keep watching!

[@bgadventuretime]

Thank you fir the advices, hello from Bulgaria , Europe

[@CaptainBerz]

I had the same thought as I saw her doing that as well.

[@daveme33]

Smart vid! Would like to know how you sharpen your axe!

[@lukem7203]

Great Video. Thanks for posting it Kenny