Good to see you're getting around with your new knee. Admittedly, I fast forwarded through most of the video, but saw enough to see you swinging with your brace on. Pretty soon you'll be able to go without that.
I see he has 2 categories now: fellers challenge and buckers challenge. If he would only add the splitters challenge I would qualify as I easily get several cords a year split by hand! (A lot of us here would qualify for that.) Maybe defeats the purpose of the challenge...
Yeah, it was a long video, I know.... this was my first attempt at editing footage of this nature, so next time I'll probably shorten it up. Most of the other ACWC videos can be a little long too, typically those who view or sub to ax swinging or related videos are watching techniques and the effectiveness of the chops, so I figured I'd include that in my content for either praise or critique.
I've actually had the brace off and walking freely for about 2 months now. I only wear it while working outside as an added safety precaution. Walking around on wet, muddy, and snowy ground can be uneven or slippery, the brace just gives me added stability and rigidness on that leg if something were to happen. This level of activity has been approved by both my PT and surgeon
— but for now, only if it is on mostly flat ground. Uneven terrain (like in the bush) will come with time as my strength returns and the graft is fully integrated with my body. Fortunately, I have at least 4-5 small to medium sized trees than are easily accessible by me on flat ground, so they can keep me busy until my recovery progresses.
I understand what you're saying, though splitting with an ax is certainly not as strenuous nor does it require as much skill as felling, limbing, and most importantly - bucking with an ax. The majority of this challenge is bucking. Having a properly ground ax and good technique is the difference between an efficient worker and calling it quits due to exhaustion. These are dead skills, long replaced by crosscut saws and power equipment. A lot of people think this challenge, or using axes for anything other than splitting is stupid. Often, when I tell others about this, they look at me as if I had two heads...
As someone who splits all of my wood with an ax (not a maul), I am in your camp sharing that sense of pride of executing a laborious task by hand. You know, the minimum requirement for this challenge is a 8' long by 4' tall rick. The length of the cuts doesn't matter, so for most that's a half cord - easily doable if your willing and able. Who has time for this? I really don't either, but I want to make the time for it. With this challenge and these skills, you either get it, or you don't. It's definitely not for everyone.
I am eager to get back out there today, but the rain on top of the snow we had yesterday is very slippery with the overnight freeze, and the wind is blowing very hard right now. I'll probably go into the shop and work on a few projects instead, right after I tend to the wood stove.
