I was about to say the same thing! Man if I tried that, especially with a big axe like, that it would be chip city! The double bit axe would become a single bit axe by the end if that thing was in my hands lol
This is the best way to do it! I use a 5lb Council tool splitting axe. It has a large poll which helps with the flick similar to a double bit. I can't imagine going back to using a block or messing around with other implements.
I think it's a bit chicken and egg - there is a technique to setting up and maintaining an effective tool, so a fundamental part of being a good workman is learning how to ensure your tools are up to scratch, in the first place. A good chef doesn't cook with blunt knives, because a good chef has learnt how to sharpen them, perhaps?
@@waelisc I meant more that the price tag on the axe or the prestige associated with it isn’t what makes the difference. You could buy a council tool boys axe or a gransfors bruks, the difference will come down to how you maintain and use the tool. I’m fairly certain you could give Ben any Chinese hardware store axe and he could set it up to be a serviceable tool
Nice work Ben! You handled that full size double really well. I find a full size double can be more jarring on my wrists, so I tend to use axes with a closer center of balance (bit to bit/ bit to poll). My favorite axes for flicking are my council jersey and true temper 2.5 cruiser. The best guy I’ve ever seen doing the flick is named Tom Clark. There are some YT videos on him. He built his own axe specifically designed for flicking wood. He calls it the “Buster”. Worth looking up if you haven’t seen it already.
yeah seen him ages ago! makes me tempted to weld some steel to the poll of a cheap axe and see how it works. maybe a big bolt so I can continue to add nuts on and increase weight to see if there is a sweet spot
Hi Ben I’ve been watching your videos for years always a pleasure it’s been nice to see someone love there job and have the commitment to it I’ve got two axe heads both Elwell one 41/2 lb and a 3lb both need re hanging I’ll be using them for splitting wood I’m hoping you can help i prefer a short curved handle 26-28 inches have you any idea who could supply them Many Thanks Roly
Hey Ben- Any advice as to your form after striking the bolt? I notice you slightly turn the axe. Am I seeing this correctly? Thanks for these videos. Just getting into axes again. I have been gathering axes since I was 18 y.o. 53 now but only have 6 axes/mauls. Bought a new place in the woods/on the water and am looking to expand the collection for "utility purposes". That's what I tell my wife when she hears me watching your videos. To me though, the axe can/is a very beautiful tool and should be hung on every wall in the house including the bathroom to be appreciated...😂
is this double bit as good, better or worse than say a fiskars from b&q or the like? you did seem to be more aware of where the head is when you were using this one. And yes, also jealous of the hair!!
The flicking technique is very easy with a double but harder with something like a fiskars. On easy wood its hard to beat a doble but on knots and stringy stuff thicker profiled axes such as fiskars are vastly superior
My 9 month old son is named Ben and I have that same double bitd pattern. I'm going to make sure he upholds your guy's good name and wields that axe equally masterfully one day
@@jimmylarge1148 its just ash. It mostly splits easy till you get a big knot. Cedar splis far easier but basically anything forest grown is nice to split. The same species grown in an exposed field or garden end up crap to split because they grow short, twisted and put out more branches
Ben while I was watching this I was imagining you uttering Scottish expletives under your breath with each hit...."Bampot!" Still less explicit then some of Owens of course. Great video but I'm still not comfortable with a double. I try to have fairly decent form and lift the axe in front of my body/face rather then "over the shoulder and I don't feel safe with the 2nd blade going past my face if you see what I mean. Just another thing for me to worry about so to speak.
Yeah im not a fan of doubles either, i liked them more a few years ago but now i rarely use one. Like riding a bike though, first time splitting with one like this in ages
its ash, its a hard wood but splits easy when knot free. splits better green than dry. I split oak like this all the time too. Elm is the wood this doesn't work well on
anyone: How much confidence in your skills does it take to split wood on a concrete sidewalk without a stump ?
Ben: Yes.
I was about to say the same thing! Man if I tried that, especially with a big axe like, that it would be chip city! The double bit axe would become a single bit axe by the end if that thing was in my hands lol
Most efficient, fast, energy saving and enjoyable way in my opinion. Great work my friend and beautiful axe!
Put down the double bit and get this guy a proper “axe” and put him in an 80s glam-rock band immediately. He’s got the hair and the tricks for it!
I tried this.
All I got was loads of sparks.
At least I started a nice fire.
We had s'mores. Thanks Ben! 👍🏻🤣
You're a maniac with absurdly impressive axe skill. 99% of people who this for long will end up in the hospital lol
I split on my driveway all the time. I just put a piece of plywood down first. Lol.
Excellent display of superb skills! Well done!
This is the best way to do it! I use a 5lb Council tool splitting axe. It has a large poll which helps with the flick similar to a double bit. I can't imagine going back to using a block or messing around with other implements.
Ridiculously slick! Nice one Ben.
This just goes to show that above all else, really good technique and experience make the axeman, not the axe.
I think it's a bit chicken and egg - there is a technique to setting up and maintaining an effective tool, so a fundamental part of being a good workman is learning how to ensure your tools are up to scratch, in the first place. A good chef doesn't cook with blunt knives, because a good chef has learnt how to sharpen them, perhaps?
@@waelisc I meant more that the price tag on the axe or the prestige associated with it isn’t what makes the difference. You could buy a council tool boys axe or a gransfors bruks, the difference will come down to how you maintain and use the tool. I’m fairly certain you could give Ben any Chinese hardware store axe and he could set it up to be a serviceable tool
You have mastered the flick technique my friend
Great video Ben!
Excellent!
I just got done hanging a sager doubke bit, and it surprised me on how good of a splitting axe it is
Great skill as always!!
Nice work Ben! You handled that full size double really well. I find a full size double can be more jarring on my wrists, so I tend to use axes with a closer center of balance (bit to bit/ bit to poll). My favorite axes for flicking are my council jersey and true temper 2.5 cruiser.
The best guy I’ve ever seen doing the flick is named Tom Clark. There are some YT videos on him. He built his own axe specifically designed for flicking wood. He calls it the “Buster”. Worth looking up if you haven’t seen it already.
yeah seen him ages ago! makes me tempted to weld some steel to the poll of a cheap axe and see how it works. maybe a big bolt so I can continue to add nuts on and increase weight to see if there is a sweet spot
Well done sir!
I always use my Husky 2800 on a block, always worked great for me!
yeah on tougher wood i still use a block and a bigger axe. the s2800 is a good one
There’s so many garbage videos on CZcams by men claiming to know how to split. Ben is efficient and effective
Good job
💪
Altobelli in action.
Hi Ben I’ve been watching your videos for years always a pleasure it’s been nice to see someone love there job and have the commitment to it
I’ve got two axe heads both Elwell one 41/2 lb and a 3lb both need re hanging
I’ll be using them for splitting wood I’m hoping you can help i prefer a short curved handle 26-28 inches have you any idea who could supply them
Many Thanks Roly
Faithful make a decent enough 30"
Just for my understanding, you are striking the blocks at a slight angle so the axe head wont go through straight into the ground, right?
Yeah
Hey Ben- Any advice as to your form after striking the bolt? I notice you slightly turn the axe. Am I seeing this correctly? Thanks for these videos. Just getting into axes again. I have been gathering axes since I was 18 y.o. 53 now but only have 6 axes/mauls. Bought a new place in the woods/on the water and am looking to expand the collection for "utility purposes". That's what I tell my wife when she hears me watching your videos. To me though, the axe can/is a very beautiful tool and should be hung on every wall in the house including the bathroom to be appreciated...😂
glad you like the videos, heres a clip that explains it czcams.com/video/qDUi_MsWFgk/video.html
is this double bit as good, better or worse than say a fiskars from b&q or the like? you did seem to be more aware of where the head is when you were using this one.
And yes, also jealous of the hair!!
The flicking technique is very easy with a double but harder with something like a fiskars. On easy wood its hard to beat a doble but on knots and stringy stuff thicker profiled axes such as fiskars are vastly superior
I'm a simpleton that splits with a Fiskars but to me it seems like axes with lots of wait in the poll are the best for flicking?
Lots of poll weight or perfectly balanced like a double bit
My 9 month old son is named Ben and I have that same double bitd pattern. I'm going to make sure he upholds your guy's good name and wields that axe equally masterfully one day
Klaus Dieter is a machine 🪓 💪
I don’t think I’ve ever split a round that split that easy tho! 😂
Not sure what you mean by adult
@@benscottwoodchopper sorry Ben! Was supposed to say easy. Lol bad proofreading
@@jimmylarge1148 its just ash. It mostly splits easy till you get a big knot. Cedar splis far easier but basically anything forest grown is nice to split. The same species grown in an exposed field or garden end up crap to split because they grow short, twisted and put out more branches
Nice🪓👍
Ben while I was watching this I was imagining you uttering Scottish expletives under your breath with each hit...."Bampot!"
Still less explicit then some of Owens of course. Great video but I'm still not comfortable with a double. I try to have fairly decent form and lift the axe in front of my body/face rather then "over the shoulder and I don't feel safe with the 2nd blade going past my face if you see what I mean. Just another thing for me to worry about so to speak.
Yeah im not a fan of doubles either, i liked them more a few years ago but now i rarely use one. Like riding a bike though, first time splitting with one like this in ages
Are you kin to William Wallace?
You mean mel gibson haha
I got some red oak rounds you ain't gonna do that to I promise that wood is dry and lite you can tell
its ash, its a hard wood but splits easy when knot free. splits better green than dry. I split oak like this all the time too. Elm is the wood this doesn't work well on
That wood looks bone dry,
Pretty dry, ash splits better green anyway