anybody around here still chop?

[user 122190]

I had to split by hand some very large Tamaracks the other day. Way to heavy to stack on the buck log pile, until quartered. Even then quite heavy. A splitting wedge and a 10lb sledge hammer, took about 10 to 15 whacks to get in to halves.

 

[user 122190]

Oops, forgot to cut off my sleeves.......

Go all the way. Ditch the cap for a red bandana, and some dipping tobacco in your teeth.

 

[Homeowner]

I replaced straight handle on one of my axes, used small axe and knife to carve this handle, then bit of angle grinder to smooth upper part of the handle, I know, I'm lazy. Handle is Birch wood, it will polish in use, so no need to put any kind of finish on it.

It works, seems to have more power even handle length is same as the old one.

I don't use much of that knob at the end, but I like it being that kind of hook as it allows me to kind of pull when striking if I need that little bit extra power for hit.

Still need to make more handles until I can say that I can make a handle, but practice seems to help.

 

[Homeowner]

5 hours and 30 minutes of active chopping today, that new handle works really well, chopped almost a cord of firewood today.

From this:

To this, it took 40 seconds when I did check it from film, splits pine really effortlessly.

I'm not sure about the weight of that axe head, something around 4.5 to 5 pounds, little more from handle, not tiring at all really, I can keep chopping whole day with that.

Sometimes I have rounds that are bit harder to split with axe, but this method works well, a lot easier than hammering wedge in.

 

[GrizzlyAdams86]

Also forgot to mention the Fiskars Super Split (the older model with the wider wedge head) with its scabbard fits in the box on the 4wheeler too. Spilt over 8 cords 1 winter alone with it. All the wood off my family's land is split with it too.

 

[Logger nate]

Was thinking about buying a hyd splitter but it's so fun splitting with the x27 I don't think I will (don't have the extra $ anyway) been splitting by hand for about 30 years why change now

 

[GrizzlyAdams86]

Splitting wood by hand after a bad day at work is a great stress reliever as well.

 

[Logger nate]

Splitting wood by hand after a bad day at work is a great stress reliever as well.

Yes sir it sure is! My Dad passed away recently, my daughter just got married, and my son (best friend) has a girl friend now- been spending lots of time at the wood pile.

 

[svk]

Any type of wood work. Cutting, hauling, splitting, stacking, even carpentry (as long as it's not finishing where things need to be perfect) is good for the soul.

Been refurbing my deck railings this week, which also puts my mind at ease:

 

[Full Chisel]

Oh yeah, I split every bit of wood that I cut by hand as long as it will bust open with a maul. Right now I have around 10-12 cord on hand and probably 75-80% of it was split by hand over the past couple years. I have a friend of a friend with a splitter that I can borrow when the pile of gnarly stuff gets big enough to make a day of it. But otherwise I'm out there swinging!

This is some of this winter's haul...about 3-4 cord of red oak, black locust, black walnut and silver maple. Everything in the piles was split by hand...the big chunks have been noodled and will need hydro.