Splitting WITHOUT a splitting block?

[Craby]

Very good points about the rocks & knicks, tool of choice, energy lost, frozen dirt vs spongy dirt, swing speed, rubber tire, and perpendicular strike.

I think the perpendicular strike is a variable that may be brushed over and needs a closer evaluation (height at which the handle is perpendicular at impact).

I am wondering, could height play a roll and the shorter you are the more you prefer that the wood you are splitting is on the ground?

I am tall, and when I'm on a scrounge run I try to get in & out ASAP (sometimes trying to make multiple trips to beat the next guy to it) so I quarter the large rounds on the ground w/ sledge/wedge/maul so I can lift them into the truck, but I prefer breaking them up to split size on a block in my yard w/ the Fiskars X27 where I can take my time and enjoy the process (fast food vs restaurant).

We have tall toilets, countertops, and shower heads in my house because the average height is too low for us.

There are pros and cons to both, but I gotta figure if I were short it would feel unnatural to split on a block.

 

[ArsenalDon]

I always used a block. I felt that the ground was absorbing some of the energy.

+1

 

[yooperdave]

Guess you need to post a video and show us how to do it.

Lumber Jack...
Here is what I am talking about as to how to swing a maul and get the most of the swing. It starts at about 1:30 on the vid.

I started out splitting the way the person in your vid does (long long time ago), and was soon taught to split like the guy in the vid I posted. Better use of energy and motion, no? Only thing is with the guy in my vid, I don't think I bend my knees like he suggests...seems awkward.

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[STIHLY DAN]

Where is this video? I can't see one. That is a fiskers also, not a maul. They swing totally different.

 

[tymbee]

Thank you Savage for saving me all that typing as your post sums up my sentiments re. ground vs. block EXACTLY!

Would someone please come here and find me a piece of ground that absorbs the energy?! Sorry, but our ground is very hard and will not soak up any more energy than a stump would. In addition, if I am splitting wood, no matter if it is with axe, maul or hydraulics, it will be a cold day in that other place before I lift every piece of wood before I split it.

It is strange to me that many give the excuse of the ground soaking up energy but make no mention of the energy required to lift every log before splitting. In addition, I have watched some splitting on a block and most times when they split, one or another split will fall to the ground and then they are picking it back up to place it on the block. So which wastes more energy? Splitting on a block or letting the ground absorb a little energy?

I've also stated as have others that hitting the ground is not a concern of mine. In most cases, I know how much power it will take to split a log. If I am splitting some easy stuff, why on earth would I swing hard to push the axe or maul through the wood and into the ground. It is just like splitting with hydraulics; on the easy splitting stuff, you don't have to run that wedge all the way through the wood! Many times you barely touch the wood with the wedge and it will split (would be nice if all were this way). So, if I'm splitting, say, soft maple or white ash (we have lots), it is rare that I would put all my muscle into a swing.

One more thing about the splitting on the ground is that as someone else wisely stated, you have a longer stroke on your swing if your log is not placed on a block. That alone gives you much more splitting power.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

You are welcome.

 

[Jags]

Come on down to good farmland. I will show you ground that can absorb a good swing

 

[razerface]

Come on down to good farmland. I will show you ground that can absorb a good swing

It all depends on if the ground is frozen. If you split in my woods, it would be like a sponge if not frozen. Good black dirt!