A test of splitting technique!

[British Red]

Older members on here will remember Cegga. When we moved in here, he gave us a maul as a housewarming present. It's by far the best manual splitter that I've ever used. Check out the grain directions in this log!

Awkward grain in split log by English Countrylife, on Flickr

I'm trying to get in some manual splitting three or four times a week right now - got some nice cedar & turkey oak to work on right now

Firewood sections for splitting by English Countrylife, on Flickr

I reckon that five barrows full of logs is better than gym membership

Split logs by English Countrylife, on Flickr

Anyone else enjoy processing firewood?

 

[Broch]

Love it! On a cold frosty morning, there's nothing like swinging a big axe onto ash logs

But, now, manual splitting aggravates my sciatica and just half a dozen swings will cause me days of pain

I've tried changing my technique and my tools but to no avail. So it's the hydraulic splitter I'm afraid.

 

[lou1661]

Now that is impressive! It’s always the twisted grain that makes me put it a pile for later!

 

[MrEd]

Love it! On a cold frosty morning, there's nothing like swinging a big axe onto ash logs

But, now, manual splitting aggravates my sciatica and just half a dozen swings will cause me days of pain

I've tried changing my technique and my tools but to no avail. So it's the hydraulic splitter I'm afraid.

Me to makes light work, and with dodgy knees and shoulders axe swinging is behind me, still I am lucky enough to have access to a splitter whenever I need at a family place. Still cutting it all up and manhandling it all around the place is work out enough!

 

[Kadushu]

I love every aspect of harvesting and processing firewood, be it coppicing hazel or felling large mature trees and using hand, electric or petrol tools. Nothing beats it

 

[Wildgoose]

That twisted grain gives me equal dread and excitement. Tough to split but will be a solid burn, or certainly feels that way to me

 

[British Red]

Me to makes light work, and with dodgy knees and shoulders axe swinging is behind me, still I am lucky enough to have access to a splitter whenever I need at a family place. Still cutting it all up and manhandling it all around the place is work out enough!
View attachment 78715

I have an 11 tonne vertical splitter. Awesome thing - we've processed over 75 cubic metres this year

11 ton splitter by English Countrylife, on Flickr

That said I do enjoy hand processing. I can't do it for as long but what I can do is a cubic metre at the end of a lot of days. Frankly I need the exercise and I would rather split logs than go to the gym. I know that sounds silly to many people. But I prefer work with a tangible result.

I probably don't fit it in to the modern world.

 

[bobnewboy]

[..snip..]
I probably don't fit it in to the modern world.

As time goes by, I find this to be more and more true myself…..

 

[TLM]

I probably don't fit it in to the modern world.

Just call it "functional exercise" and you are right at the front

I enjoy splitting with a large axe, do 3 or 4 cubic meters a year. Very good exercise.

 

[FerlasDave]

It is that time of year again! I cut, split and stacked half a cord today. Keeps me warm more than once as they say.

 

[MrEd]

I have an 11 tonne vertical splitter. Awesome thing - we've processed over 75 cubic metres this year

11 ton splitter by English Countrylife, on Flickr

That said I do enjoy hand processing. I can't do it for as long but what I can do is a cubic metre at the end of a lot of days. Frankly I need the exercise and I would rather split logs than go to the gym. I know that sounds silly to many people. But I prefer work with a tangible result.

I probably don't fit it in to the modern world.

That’s a nice splitter!!

I 100% understand and would rather a productive thing like firewood prep (or even a long walk!) to going to the gym, i find it beneficial both physically and mentally - sense of achievement.

People will argue ‘oh but you can get the same at a gym, when you beat your personal best’ but for me I like the fact I can point to a pile of wood, or the dug over veg beds or whatever and said ‘I toiled for that’ - just has more satisfaction to me

 

[British Red]

I like the fact I can point to a pile of wood, or the dug over veg beds or whatever and said ‘I toiled for that’ - just has more satisfaction to me

Exactly!