Wood Splitting Tips

Wood splitting tips based on 50 years of firewood splitting experience. Tutorial on splitting blocks, wood species, axe types, knot locations, and splitting sequences.

[@loueckert4970]

This video reinforced 5 years of self-learning on splitting wood. I wish I had seen this video 5 years ago when we moved to Maine. That first year was a learning experience. Trust me, the video is an easier way to learn. Thanks for a great video!

[@terryhale9006]

+Lou Eckert Thanks Lou. Just about everyone has had to learn splitting for themselves. ("It's just swinging an ax. How hard can that be?") I think it's wonderful that KZbin provides an opportunity for so many things to be learned more quickly than by trial and error or by picking up on difficult-to-notice details.

[@UnicyclistRTB]

This is quite possibly the most well put together youtube video I've seen. Very informitive, great use of technical language, and good editing. Thank you for taking the time to teach me about wood splitting. I had no idea how complex a task it could be or how to make the job easier on myself. Cheers

[@terryhale9006]

+randall barr Thanks Randall. Blushing.

[@christopherbovingdon6567]

I heartily agree with you Randall. No waffle and lots of info.

[@graysonkade5326]

You prolly dont give a shit but if you are stoned like me atm then you can watch pretty much all of the new movies on InstaFlixxer. Have been binge watching with my brother during the lockdown =)

[@geraldvictor3467]

@Grayson Kade Yup, been watching on instaflixxer for months myself :)

[@gregmerckx8557]

You don’t get out much do you?

[@tonystites2134]

I have split a lot of wood but still learned a few things thanks for the video

[@terryhale9006]

Thanks. Glad to hear it.

[@aaronpompura7193]

@@terryhale9006. Mebnll KB of e ds good way no no I'm you ww

[@rjwatkins63]

Superb instructional video. Looks like a perfect demonstration of technique and experience vs brute force and ignorance! I have just moved from London to the English countryside. Today I've had two very large Ash on our property heavily pruned (due to dieback) and now have a very large pile of wood for the burner. I was dreading the task of chopping it all up, but now I'm actually looking forward to it. Maul and wedges (and headphones, eye protectors and steel-toecap boots) are ready for the weekend! Thank you.

[@terryhale9006]

Excellent! I'll hope your Ash splits as easily as what we have here.

[@matejbrezovsek6695]

I have watched several tutorials about wood splitting, but this one is one tutorial that points out almost everything you need to know about it. Congratulations mr. Hale for making such a good video, with practical informations and experiences! Greetings from Europe!

[@terryhale9006]

Thank you, Matej!

[@SCALECRAFT94]

This is by far the best one i have come across. Thanks,

[@Snalygaster]

This is one of the best videos on wood splitting I've ever seen. Actually, it's one of the most informative and well spoken videos I've ever even seen on KZbin, period. Well done and thank you.

[@beldegrom]

There are many wood splitting videos on youtube, and this is one of the best. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@terryhale9006]

And I appreciate your comment. Thanks.

[@whatyaworkingontoday5018]

This old boy has got some ump in his swing! Complimented with a smooth peaceful delivery. Explaining the thought process through individual characteristics for a more effective result is something I have not seen elsewhere. I just discovered Mr. Hale, through the Morgan Family, and great fully say thank you!

[@MrILLUMINATING]

Terry, I love your videos...very impressed and thankful that you post stuff like this. Something I can share is once I split a log I dont let it fully split, but just rotate the log and keep splitting little parts. Thanks again!!!

[@mikekim5135]

This is one of the best videos on how to split logs. Terry is the man!

[@fartpunch3937]

Just began splitting wood from the new property I moved to, this will help immensely! Thanks a bunch!

[@79pejeperro]

The best tip vid I´ve seen. I find nothing to disagree. Great job

[@SamuelJaytutoring]

This is great! I have been splitting wood now I'm up in Vermont and really enjoyed watching this.

[@mvblitzyo]

I've been splitting wood for 20 plus years , what great tips ! you covered a lot of area's most people miss with what if's so glad u put together a great video.

[@terryhale9006]

Thanks much Joe!

[@danhober150]

Thanks for the video terry. Still the best wood splitting demo on you tube in my opinion.

[@Roadie40]

4 years after originally published----still providing great information. Thanks,

[@douglasallan9461]

Absolutely terrific video. I've split wood for decades but learned more in 15 minutes, and Terry Hale is to be thanked for that.

[@terryhale9006]

+Douglas Allan Thanks Doug. Us old guys gotta stick together or we'll fall apart.

[@turks24]

I have been splitting wood for over 45 years... wow...I still love the challenge. t is great to see someone else has learned and is teaching what I learned by trial and error over the years. There is a real science to do it more effectively as has been pointed out in this video. I have often felt sad that I do not have someone close by that is interested in the tips and tricks I have learned. My maul of choice is a bit shy of 10 lbs, modified from somewhat rounded sides to flat sides much like the Stihl in this video. It is much less prone to stick in the wood compared to a maul with rounded sides.

[@tomcurran1538]

Yeah, using a mechanical splitter is cheating!

[@loueckert4970]

Terry, yours is the best video I have found on splitting wood. Good job, stay warm!

[@terryhale9006]

Thanks, Lou. With diabetic neuropathy setting in, I definitely do need to keep my toes warm. Winter came before I could do the videos I was hoping to. Hurry Spring!

[@waldtricki]

Been using your techniques since I saw your video and love your approach. It's becoming 2nd nature now to read the block in front of me and decide on the most efficient course of action.

[@terryhale9006]

+Ben Griswold Great! Thanks for the feedback.

[@VikingOlberg-NymoenOfNorway]

I never tought an upstate New Yorker could teach a guy from the darkest forests of Norway so much about wood😅 God bless you. Great video

[@terryhale9006]

Thanks. I'm sure I could learn some valuable things from you.

[@abbassihm]

Simply the best. I learned a lot from it.

[@daftTony]

love the tip on keeping knots at the ends when bucking. thanks!

[@Truen091]

I don't usually comment on youtube videos unless I am compelled to. That being said, this video clearly showed me how to overcome various wood splitting problems and intern helped me clear out the dead tree in my yard. Thank you!!

[@terryhale9006]

Great! Thanks for sharing that nice news.

[@slofr8dan]

your strike placement is superb. I split about 4 cord a year by hand and noticed that, for the first time in years, I was having trouble hitting where I wanted. I finally figured out that the transition from my bifocals during the swing was throwing me off. When I split without my glasses I'm all set! Nice vid.

[@terryhale9006]

+slofr8dan Thanks Dan. I have progressive lenses myself. Sorry to hear the bifocals were causing issues. Glad you were able to remedy.

[@johnlanthier9047]

I wanted to thank you as you have saved me so much time and energy. Excellent tutorial. I actually enjoy splitting the wood now. That was years of knowledge in 15 minutes. This is why KZbin was created.

[@terryhale9006]

You've made me happy. Thanks.

[@TornWalsh]

Terry this was just the video I needed. Splitting nice straight dry cracked wood is fun and a piece of cake. My diseased maple that was just cut down outside my house is horribly hard, knots all over! Your video gave me solid knowledge and the confidence to tackle a huge job. Living in a neighborhood with little yard, I need to get this wood moved to my garage. Thanks again its helping so much!

[@terryhale9006]

You're certainly welcome Tom. You've definitely got a challenge ahead of you with all of the contorted grain that open-grown maple has to offer! Best of luck to you!

[@TornWalsh]

Wow! I was hoping you would see this but wasn't expecting you to, being the video was from 3 years ago. Thank you. Since I have about maybe 3 hours worth of experience and you have 53 years, I was wondering if you had anything to say about splitting this wood now when it is "green" as opposed to trying to dry it first. Some of it I will definitely need to split now as the pieces are too big for me to move, but if it would be any easier one way or the other it would be good to know. Thanks again

[@terryhale9006]

Gloomy day out. Sticking by the computer, dreaming of Spring.

[@geo_walters]

Great video! I've incorporated these suggestions into my splitting.

[@terryhale9006]

I'm flattered. Hope they work for you.

[@dickditty480]

You're the best woodsman on youtube! Keep the videos coming please.

[@leckst3r]

I just spent the weekend splitting wood from a maple we had felled on our property. Very fulfilling work and gives me an appreciation for you skill and knowledge you shared in this video. Thanks for the tips. Keep up the good videos.

[@terryhale9006]

Thanks! ... and you're welcome. (Sugar maple or red maple? Red makes a pretty good fire wood, but the added density of the sugar maple puts it pretty high on my list.)

[@williamnewmeyer47]

I appreciate all your videos Terry. The felling ones have even saved my butt a few times.

[@terryhale9006]

Thanks Bill. Don't know whether to be pleased to have helped you save it or concerned that it was at risk.

[@SuperRoger1953]

great video. I have been splitting wood for about 15 years learning by trial and error. I thought I had discovered some great techniques known only to me. But its all here, and more.With better accuracy. Well done

[@terryhale9006]

+SuperRoger1953 Thanks Roger. Kind of you.

[@captainpegs07]

Best wood splitting instructional on the internets!

[@flix7753]

Same here, I've split a lot of wood in my day and yet learned a lot from your video. Cutting crotch pieces even, and cutting so that the knots are at the top or the bottom are great ideas. Cheers

[@terryhale9006]

Thanks! To you as well.

[@richardfederico1672]

This was very well done and is extremely layered with helpful info and facts. I am impressed with the technique and ease with which the crotch wood was split, maybe I won't shy away from these pieces in the future. Thank you Terry!

[@terryhale9006]

...and thanks for the positive feedback.

[@tedpsll80]

Thank you for making this video. Great information and advice.

[@terryhale9006]

Thanks Lewis.

[@simonhwang4]

this was an extraordinarily well thought, well produced, and informative video. Thank you so much for this.

[@terryhale9006]

...and thank you for your appreciation.

[@444gtb]

Great video Terry. Your a good axe man. Thank you for sharing.

[@paddlefar9175]

Thank you for the video! I can hardly wait for the next time my sons are splitting wood out at the cabin. I'm going to be a font of good advice. They'll be going, " Mom! Don't you have a pie to bake or something ?!"

[@terryhale9006]

+Betty Swerhone Ha Ha Ha. I can see it.

[@mgarozzo11]

Very helpful video Terry, Thanks!

[@northshorebushlore5902]

I spent 2 years of my youth at a boarding school that was heated by students processing wood, wish they had shown your videos before most of the students swung their first maul....My great grandfather taught me with a hatchet at age 6 and still love the feel of a crisp morning chopping, the explosion of frozen wood, the pop when you hit it just right. Thanks again

[@terryhale9006]

There's definitely a satisfaction with overcoming something so strong.

[@northshorebushlore5902]

They always said work smarter not harder and your video does that, Thanks for the machete lessons as well and keep up the good work, loved the bit where you almost got yourself.

[@terryhale9006]

The timing was good for the video, but it was very much an unscripted moment ; )

[@sanducu76]

Excellent description. Thanks!

[@doctari1061]

Good to know. Thanks for sharing your techniques.

[@carmelpule6954]

You certainly can handle that Maul. When I was young I did hear that there were competitions in the use of an axe and a good man can spit a sixpence ( England) every time, Well, this is the first time I have seen such procedure and the fact that you are continuously talking and describing what you are doing and at the same time splitting that wood, the accuracy at which you are doing it shows that you could split a sixpence every time, You keep saying that you are not optimistic , but if this was a competition I would put my money on you. You have a very powerful drive , with all your weight behind it and so accurate on your target, I have never seen this before . Well done, a good man makes it looks so easy.

[@jeffcraig3344]

jeez guy just ask him to marry you lol

[@tommyjr4703]

Nicely executed Terry. You made my project go easily with that valuable info.

[@terryhale9006]

Glad to hear that!

[@mikeweaver6220]

Excellent quality, very good sound and camera placement! I also like the explanation of the grains and knots plus technique. Overall fantastic knowledge.

[@ronaldstrayer580]

Great video sir. I have been splitting wood for years but I have learned a few things from this. Thanks....Take er easy, Ron

[@d4v1d5c0tt]

This is a great video terry. Not many people concentrate on showing you how to split the really tricky stuff like the crotch. I for one found it very helpful. Thanks

[@terryhale9006]

You're certainly welcome. Thanks for commenting.

[@harrisquicksilver6595]

One of the most informative videos on wood, thanks friend

[@GL-tp5hg]

This very helpful. Thank you so much.

[@wetmittens0]

Hell yeah man. Excellent video.

[@ajaxtelamonian5134]

So satisfying when you get a good split. Sadly I seldom get to split nice wood its almost always Leylandii with side limbs the same size as the trunk and I found this video super useful to reference when trying to split it.

[@ForViewingOnly]

Very helpful and interesting, especially the information on how to deal with a 'crotch', and the technique for 'slabbing'. Thank you!

[@AreWeMuslims]

I just purchased a wood splitter similar to your STIHL. I came onto youtube looking for tips on wood splitting, and I found the most epic video on the topic. :-)

[@terryhale9006]

Aik Aam Aadmi Thanks Aik. Good luck with your splitting.

[@jameslester6785]

Excellent video. I'm new to spitting and have discovered a few of your tips to be true. I look forward to trying more. Again, really good, clear, and concise.

[@terryhale9006]

+James Lester Thanks James. I'll keep my fingers crossed for the rest of them. ; - )

[@frozenjoe6313]

Have been looking everywhere trying to buy a powder wedge . I am finally having 1 made by a machinist..Wonderfull tool.

[@pernillesuewinton5558]

Thank you! Really helpful and informative video, inspiring too

[@ctcollinthib]

Been splitting wood all my life and just spent a hard day splitting wet, green fir. Wish I would've watched this earlier- I learned a lot!

[@terryhale9006]

Thanks, Collin. On the good side, your wood should dry a lot quicker now.

[@Scharpy1]

Perfect tutorial. Learned a few things, even after all these years. Thank you. Oh, one thing that finally dawned on me why my accuracy was sort of poor. Was looking at a general target area. Once I'd started to focus on a spot as small as a pinhead that maul would magically strike there! Seems obvious, but a revelation to me. Thanks again.

[@terryhale9006]

Cool! The maul was just waiting for a precise mission assignment. Glad to hear it.

[@martinelectraglide8490]

In answer to your last remark:"Yes sir, your video is very helpfull and informative." I enjoyed it quite a bit. Also the way you speak and give us your tutorial is very nice to listen to. Thank you so much!! I myself use a Fiskars X27 for all my woodsplitting. An excellent axe, which can do the job like no other. I can fully recommend it to all you logsplitters out there! Groeten uit Holland

[@terryhale9006]

Thanks much, Martin!

[@martinelectraglide8490]

@@terryhale9006 Thank you for your response. Good to see you're still around with us. I hope you 'll continue to enjoy your fire ànd collecting and preparing your wood! Groeten uit Holland;-))

[@SkillCult]

One of the best wood splitting videos on youtube. I've watched most of them :)

[@terryhale9006]

+SkillCult Thanks!

[@FYMM69]

You certainly know your stuff Terry. you make some serious power with that mawl. Appreciate you sharing. God Bless and Merry Christmas

[@charliebronson1274]

Great video. Purchased a Stihl pro splitting axe last week. Lighter than a maul for me. I decided though to buy the Mueller maul too. To have the best of both. I have a lot of wood to split in my backyard.

[@thomasbroderick6388]

Great tutorial. Thank you very much.

[@catyear75]

This was super informative ! I learned a lot! Thanks !

[@terryhale9006]

+catyear75 I'm so glad. Thanks!

[@georgemartinez8434]

The best demonstration on splitting so far, I've learned something new finally and after watching the video before was not gonna watch this one. Thankyou Sir for your educational video...

[@terryhale9006]

Thanks, George.

[@joshramdeen5063]

I learned a lot, thank you! Great video

[@thisandthat176]

thank you for this video it was very helpful because you mentioned the differences of the different species of wood and how to deal with them while splitting the wood

[@terryhale9006]

You're welcome. Hope you have the option to get the species you want.

[@patrickamato8839]

This was really helpful. Thanks!

[@originalsfc]

Great video and very helpful - Thanks from the UK

[@terryhale9006]

Thanks!

[@Brainmalfuction]

best video on hand splitting ive seen on youtube very well done

[@browneye77]

Thanks for sharing the tips! Keep up the great videos!

[@terryhale9006]

Thanks! I have an Engineer's Perspective on Tree Felling (8 parts) that I hope to post in April.

[@roccoliuzzi8394]

Right on target. Confirms all I've learned by experience in upstate NY. Thanks.

[@terryhale9006]

Experience is the best teacher ... provided it doesn't leave bad scars.

[@reconquistaahead1602]

still very helpful after ten years. God bless you Terry. Best greetings from Switzerland.

[@terryhale9006]

Thank you, RA.

[@reconquistaahead1602]

@@terryhale9006 I am 59 years old and yesterday I started splitting wood thanks to your video. God bless.

[@terryhale9006]

@@reconquistaahead1602 AH! Still young! (At least I hope you feel that way.)

[@reconquistaahead1602]

@@terryhale9006 I feel always young before splitting wood... and a little less after having tried. hahaha! God bless.🙏🙏🙏

[@terryhale9006]

@@reconquistaahead1602 Chuckling.

[@ranmangolf]

Nice work. Appreciate watching your videos.

[@richardsandwell2285]

Great Tutorial.

[@danlott2814]

That was awesome. Manliness award for you, bro.

[@terryhale9006]

Kind of you Dan. Sure wish I was 25 again.

[@charlieo013]

Excellent info! Thanks for sharing

[@hanswelder]

Very good explanation for stuff I do mostly intuitive after wood cutting since I'm a little boy ;-) Thanks! I'm improving in doing the same stuff with my other hand now and it gets better.

[@johncraftenworth7847]

This is the best advice and tips on manual wood splitting on youtube. I've watched hundreds! And that stihl is a PRIMO woodsplitting maul.

[@terryhale9006]

Thanks John. I have to confess, though, that my love is now torn between the Fiskars and the Stihl. The Teflon (?) coating on the Fiskars really helps it slip into the wood. Other times, the weight of the Stihl is more helpful.

[@johncraftenworth7847]

Yep. I have one. It's good on ash but not my favorite for really large cottonwood rounds or nasty twisted stuff (for my area that is boxelder). It's fine once the large cottonwood rounds are quartered. Now fiskars has a true weight/shape splitting maul, too. I'm planning to do a shootout between mauls (fiskars, stihl, husqvarna, gransfors bruks, old american) and splitting axes (stihl, fiskars x27, husqvarna) and wedges (gransfors bruks twisted, oxenkopf/stihl aluminum twisted, easton clone Roughneck brand steeped steel wedge from northern tool, and one of those fat 'wood grenades' you see everywhere). I'm gonna wear a heart rate monitor to record time taken per comparable round, record beats per minute and estimate calorie burn with each tool! It is going to be epic! Years in the making. Maybe this winter or spring. Watch for it!

[@terryhale9006]

I'd be happy to know your conclusions. The weight definitely helps on the twisted stuff.

[@net2000man]

Excellent job, Terry, thank you for this informative video. I got a new chainsaw and lots of volunteer wood around me, and am getting to the big cuts today. Don't have a good stump for a chopping block yet,but I will grab one as soon as I can. My trouble is moving the lumber from where I cut it, I find cutting to be the easy part! Thanks again, from one upstater to another, Brother!

[@terryhale9006]

When you find a round that doesn't want to comply, consider it a good starter chopping block. If your cutting leaves you with big rounds, it is completely reasonable to either partially or completely split the big ones where they are so they are easier to load onto your wheel barrow. Of course that's assuming your ground is level enough to use a wheelbarrow on. On site, you should be able to cut the/a stump to a good height to act as a chopping block. Stay safe and definitely wear hearing protection with your new saw. Best to you, Upstater!

[@tejinashi62]

Thank you, excellent tutorial, you really know your stuff. Gotta split!

[@terryhale9006]

(Snicker...)

[@kent0242]

Hello Terry, I am a hobbyist wood splitter. it was a pleasure to view your tutorial. I kept nodding in agreement with your techniques and terminology, strategies and methods. Excellent video for someone who is starting out in wood splitting! P.S. Try the 4-sided splitting wedge, about the size of your fist at the top, tapers down to a point at the bottom.

[@terryhale9006]

Thanks Kent. I've been curious to see how one of those "wood grenades" works, but try to avoid wedge work as much as possible. In spite of protecting my ears very carefully, my genetic predisposition to tinnitus has caught up with me anyway. It leaves me with a strong desire to avoid anything that might produce a ringing noise.

[@jordansb8]

Wow very accurate I'm impressed

[@mferrarorace]

Great tips. Thank you

[@kellenlawrence4667]

Great video Terry!

[@terryhale9006]

Thanks Kellen!

[@gravityloose]

Thanks for the video mister and your kindness to present us your long year experience in such and excellent way of explaining things ...This refers to other videos too... If there were only more people like you on youtube.. 👌

[@Grumpygus94]

good work, thank you for spreading your knowledge!

[@terryhale9006]

Thanks, Curtis.

[@JesseWright68]

Great video, Mr. Hale.

[@ayambo3281]

Thank you for the useful tips. I split a lot of red and blue gum and sometimes pine and yellow amber here in Australia but all your tips make sense and I'm sure will prove helpful.

[@terryhale9006]

I hope they do. Having heard from a few Aussie splitters, I am now wishing I could go down under to try some different woods to split. Now THERE'S a strange tourist trip!

[@darrenmurdoch6622]

Really good video. I'm about to split wood with a maul having never done it before so this was very helpful. Thanks.

[@terryhale9006]

Thanks, Darren. Be sure to wear gloves!

[@brockrovenstine8489]

Love your vidoes. Keep them coming

[@terryhale9006]

Thanks Brock. I've got a bunch I want to make, but that nasty four-letter word (work) keeps getting in the way.

[@lerch25]

You are amazing! This is some deep knowledge and very helpful for simplyfying a hard job.

[@terryhale9006]

Thanks Lerch. Just an old man trying to pass on some of what he's learned while he still can. Best to you.

[@keriamakrueger4493]

Very helpful, thank you.

[@terryhale9006]

+Keriama Krueger Thanks Keriama.

[@sandmastermaster]

Best wood splitting video. I've watched many

[@terryhale9006]

Thanks Jesse.

[@ADRIAN-fb9xj]

Thanks Terry that was good. I likes the tip on the chopping block, I'll try that one. I've got a new one down in my paddock, not sure how I'm going to move it yet but I'll shape the top. The wood I cut is Aussie Hardwood and I'm not physically strong enough to cut it that long so I cut it to the length that I can split it. I'll have a look at the Stihl Splitter for sure. I like your line at the 12 minute mark, if you can go right up the middle of the crutch you can get those things split apart! Been too long since I've done that. Good to see an Older Bloke still active an sharing his experience.

[@terryhale9006]

Thanks Adrian. What we can, while we still can ...

[@adamasz54]

Thanks for perfect guide on firewood chopping. I've watched mainly the greenhorn axemen showing off on the screen so far! You are approaching to every knotty stump in very wise way. And this brings positive result: to achieve the goal with minimum effort. If you put an old tire on the stump within operation - less need to bow lifting the refugees...

[@terryhale9006]

Thanks Adam. Each day, I'm giving more consideration to adding a tire.

[@adamasz54]

Terry Hale Never think re-tire - I'm 60now and feel still stronger splitter now thanks to watching your YT films:-)

[@willyjilly9684]

Fantastic video! very straight forward and informative. I also use the volunteer wood living in the Midwest it's 90% Ash tree. Couple silver maples uprooted in wind storms but a lot of Ash. Great video thanks again!

[@terryhale9006]

Thanks, Willy. I envy the amount of ash you have. I have enough, but a lot of pine to get in the way.

[@obctm]

Great advice. Enjoyed the vid