Which is what God intended when he invented firewood
Splitting by hand
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Which is what God intended when he invented firewood
Mettlemickey
Member
Yes this is similar to how I do it. My whole body goes down with the maul. I don't know which is worse, squats or bending over
This is the video that should be taken down. This technique is bound to help people lose their toes.
Plus his chopping block is very high.
Hi, im pretty new to all this. Wondered if i could ask some dumb newbie questions?
Why is the second video dangerous, it doesnt look that much different to the technique in the first one? What am i missing?
Would really appreciate the advice i have quite a lot of splitting to do and want to keep all my toes!
Thanks
JC
Shawn Curry
Member
I think the poster was mostly taking issue with his stance in the video. His feet are too close together and he's not bending at the knees enough during the stroke. This causes you to use your back more than you need to, and if the maul were to deflect off, there is a risk of following through right into your foot. However, I personally think the guy in the other video had his legs spread too far. I also prefer a higher splitting stump, because I'm 6'3". I like it high enough so the handle of the axe is horizontally level when the head is making contact with the piece I'm splitting.
One thing that rarely gets mentioned, but is probably THE most important labor-saver, is a sharp axe. You can have perfect technique, but still work twice as hard as you need to if your axe isn't sharp.
"Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe." - Abraham Lincoln.
One thing that rarely gets mentioned, but is probably THE most important labor-saver, is a sharp axe. You can have perfect technique, but still work twice as hard as you need to if your axe isn't sharp.
"Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe." - Abraham Lincoln.
That's why I like my yellow maul. No need to sharpen for past six years. Old Abe will be sharpening that axe when I'm back in the house enjoying a beer after splitting.
Mettlemickey
Member
Thanks guys, I use a maul too, just because someone recommended it.
I always try and keep my legs apart having watched some videos on You Tube before my first splitting session. I suspect im also keeping my legs too far apart, as im paranoid about catching my leg if i accidentally follow through!
The knee bending is something i wasnt aware of though so will give it a try next time.
Any other tips?
Jason
I always try and keep my legs apart having watched some videos on You Tube before my first splitting session. I suspect im also keeping my legs too far apart, as im paranoid about catching my leg if i accidentally follow through!
The knee bending is something i wasnt aware of though so will give it a try next time.
Any other tips?
Jason
Brewmonster
Burning Hunk
Why does everyone start out by saying, "Don't make a big roundhouse swing"? I do that all the time and I'm sure I get a lot more power that way than by just raising the maul overhead and swinging straight down. That slingshot action gets it moving much faster.
Thanks, youtube, for letting me know I've been doing everything wrong my whole life!
Thanks, youtube, for letting me know I've been doing everything wrong my whole life!
laxin213
Burning Hunk
My technique is a lot closer to the one shown in this video. Thoughts? I used to use a 6lb splitting maul, but I'm using the X27 and I really like it...
farmboy05
Member
I haven't tried it that way. But I might have to give it a shot. He's squared up though which is probably the important part so you don't go losing toes.
But I am jealous of his stash.
Craig S.
Burning Hunk
laxin213
Burning Hunk
Yes:
-gloves
-steel toe boots
-eyewear
I always try to end the swing driving straight into the piece and not pulling towards me, to save from injury. I tend to be the most focused on that. I might even have my wife video me swinging, its really go me thinking how my backswing looks...
when I'm splitting large rounds, they sit on the ground. When I'm just messing around, I take the other rounds and place them on a large one. When I'm splitting wood in the timber on a tree less than 20" I stand the piece up if I can and split it. Then I split everything else where it lies. If you wanna talk about a way to lose toes, then find my youtube video where I try to demonstrate this. It was with some less than optimal wood and I was just messing around, but you get the idea.
SO, I was doing a lot of reaching down to adjust pieces for the camera, but with the 8lb I'd just split away without bending over much at all. There was some original Fiskars action in there. I have the longer fiskars these days, I like it a little better than the older short one, but a 6lb or 8lb maul is pretty much all I split with.
Its like a golf swing - all about club head speed and specific angle/point of contact. You get consistency there you're long..
Many think a roundhouse gives them good head speed but consistency (for me at least) is elusive. Another myth is that the more effort equals more effective splitting. I could probably out muscle most pro golfers but while they're happy if their fade lands in the right place I'm happy if I can find my ball anywhere.
I spread my legs, raise the maul directly back overhead and using legs and hips start the arc down to the point of impact on the round.
Tips Concentrate on "dropping" the maul on the round ( ie use gravity as much as you can)
When your timing and aim is good, break your wrist just before impact to get a little more speed at contact.
Many think a roundhouse gives them good head speed but consistency (for me at least) is elusive. Another myth is that the more effort equals more effective splitting. I could probably out muscle most pro golfers but while they're happy if their fade lands in the right place I'm happy if I can find my ball anywhere.
I spread my legs, raise the maul directly back overhead and using legs and hips start the arc down to the point of impact on the round.
Tips Concentrate on "dropping" the maul on the round ( ie use gravity as much as you can)
When your timing and aim is good, break your wrist just before impact to get a little more speed at contact.
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Frank625
Burning Hunk
Now that I have a splitter I don't like splitting by hand as much. I can go for bigger rounds and not worry how hard they will be to split. I was a monster maul guy but the hydraulic splitter allows me to put up much more wood because I still have energy to haul and stack. I just get more done. I put up 6 cord the past month.
I have a power boat, but rowing my ultralight rowing skiff and my Adirondack guideboat is so much fun I never use the power boat. I'm hoping I'll get more use out of the hydraulic splitter I picked up recently...but the power boat has been sitting on a trailer in my yard for several years no while my rowing boats get lots of use...
Jeeze Louise I'm getting old....my point, in the above post, is that splitting wood with an axe is still a lot of fun....not as quick perhaps....like rowing boats are not as quick as powerboats..but still a lotta fun.
8686
New Member
my technique has evolved somewhat from when I started. Now, I bring the x27 over my head and let it fall back behind my knees. My hands are holding the handle behind my head, as if I'm about to do a sit-up. In one motion, I bring my body vertically upward while I left the x27 above my head. Then I bring my body down, crouching at the legs and the x27 swinging down onto the log. My body from the waist up does not bend over, and I do not actually involve the arms that much as far as power is concerned. My arms act as a lever in a whipping motion. This has saved my back big time. And the added range of motion gives the x27 some real power. All at the cost of perhaps looking a bit odd when you're doing it.
I do all my splitting by hand. My father in law had to hydraulic splitters, pretty old ones but they work. He gave me one as he didn't need two. I used it for about 10 minutes to finish some uglies that I couldn't do with my axe's. Maybe the splitter is old and not as good as the new ones or I don't have good technique but I find splitting by hand much faster. I also enjoy it and find it good exercise.
How small do you all go with splitting? I find it can be fun splitting the 2-3 inchers with the fiskars. Target pratice! Most of the time I split anything 3 inches and over.
How small do you all go with splitting? I find it can be fun splitting the 2-3 inchers with the fiskars. Target pratice! Most of the time I split anything 3 inches and over.
Mettlemickey
Member
So, I'm thinking of getting the fabled x27. Its clearly the axe to have. But ive seen mixed reviews about different versions. Is this the right one? Also people are saying in reviews its ineffective if not Sharpe. Shouldn't it be Sharpe when you buy it? Should I buy the sharpener too?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fiskars-788...984&sr=8-1&keywords=fiskars+x27+splitting+axe
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fiskars-788...984&sr=8-1&keywords=fiskars+x27+splitting+axe
Wow, they're expensive in the UK. I'm from England but living in the US now. I got mine on amazon, not sure what the shipping to you would be but try doing it on amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Fiskars-7884-...F8&qid=1413495188&sr=8-1&keywords=fiskars+x27
Thats the one I have and as it has almost 2,000 reviews I assume it's the version most people have. All I know is mine is the x27 and it cost about 45 dollars. The one I linked is 48 dollars, thats about 28 quid. Much cheaper than the one you linked. Even if you gota spend 20 for shipping you'll be saving. When I used to live in England I found myself often buying stuff from the amazon.com and having it shipped over.
When I bought mine it was very sharp. Mine is still very sharp but it's a little rough. Just give it a little tune up every now and then. I've only gave mine a quick sharpen once. I think it's a great axe. I only have three axes, most people here have many more than that. I have a gransfors bruks large splitting axe which I love but find the handle a little short. A cheap 6lb maul and the fiskars. The fiskarks gets used 95% of the time. Like I said, I've not used many different axes but I love the fiskars and would highly recommend it.
http://www.amazon.com/Fiskars-7884-...F8&qid=1413495188&sr=8-1&keywords=fiskars+x27
Thats the one I have and as it has almost 2,000 reviews I assume it's the version most people have. All I know is mine is the x27 and it cost about 45 dollars. The one I linked is 48 dollars, thats about 28 quid. Much cheaper than the one you linked. Even if you gota spend 20 for shipping you'll be saving. When I used to live in England I found myself often buying stuff from the amazon.com and having it shipped over.
When I bought mine it was very sharp. Mine is still very sharp but it's a little rough. Just give it a little tune up every now and then. I've only gave mine a quick sharpen once. I think it's a great axe. I only have three axes, most people here have many more than that. I have a gransfors bruks large splitting axe which I love but find the handle a little short. A cheap 6lb maul and the fiskars. The fiskarks gets used 95% of the time. Like I said, I've not used many different axes but I love the fiskars and would highly recommend it.
Mettlemickey
Member
Cheers Shane, I might do as you say. Think ill check out good old B&Q as well and see how much they want. I saw one site selling it for £42 and thought it was that much less it looked a bit suss, could be bang on from what you say though.
farmboy05
Member
They keep the cost down by using softer steel. It comes very sharp but you'll have to give it a quick sharpen now and then.
Scooter422
Burning Hunk
Split all mine with the x27. Take the tire and wedge it over your chopping block. Should be better than chopping on the ground Get an extra tire for those longer rounds and throw it on top of the other. Works great. If the tire is tight just trim with your saw and make it fit.
Pennsyltucky Chris
Minister of Fire
For me, 4 hours. And I'm still relatively young and in good shape. But I'm splitting Red/White Oak, Beech, and other hardwoods. The type of wood makes a big difference. Pine splits if you look at it mean.
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