I agree the chopping block has its place and too each their own. The fiskars is a perfect tool for splitting where an overstrike doesn't make you cry. Great points on not having to exert all your force in doing work. Wedge and sledge to manage the pieces you cant even get to the splitter. Thanks for sharing
Really good info on wood splitting. I have been using a fiskars x25 since 2015. It is my go to axe for splitting firewood. It just simply works. I just recently bought a fiskars isocore 6lb maul. I tried it out and while it is lighter than an 8lb maul, it has a 36 inch handle which I do not like. You can use it to pound wedges which I look forward to doing in the spring. If the handle was the same length as the x25 I think it would work great. Anyway stay blessed and stay safe! Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.
I’ve also had one for a long time. And I’ve looked at the maul before for the reasons you brought up, but I’ve never got one for the exact reasons you mentioned.
@@KevinsDisobedience when I used the maul a few weeks back I found that I buried the head in the dirt when I split on the ground quite a bit. Using a maul is quite the work out. The fiskars maul worked really well but I think I'll start using a metal wedge to split the twisted and dense pieces.
I’ll be 40 next year. Have worked construction all my life. Have had a herniated disc, dislocated knee, and chronic tendonitis all in the last three years. If you made it far enough, you saw that I use a gas splitter as well. You want both.
Awesome video !!! I really like how in depth you went on all of it. I’m going to forward this video to my sister because she lives alone, just got a wood stove and I sent her a fiskars x25 for Christmas, but I am worried about her obviously. This is perfect timing with this video. There was only so much I could explain via txt so this will be great information for her !! Thanks for the great video man !!
Great vid ! I grew up splitting lots of elm. Some of it quite big , 36" diameters sometimes. And rock maple ect. That was pre hydraulic splitters so we used chainsaws to split the worst of it. On larger White and Black Spruce I have not had much success with the X25. The X27 worked ok. A standard 6 or 8 lb splitting maul doesn't work any better. A full size Tassie works the best. We burn LOTS of spruce here in Alaska because it's what grows here. For dry Spruce, beattle or fire killed. The X25 and X27 work wonderfully ! As they do for birch and some aspen when they can be gotten.
Deserves way more than 75 likes, nice video. I am currently reading the Ax Book by D. Cook and it's great. All the best, from Snowdonia, North Wales, UK.
Yeah sure, different woods different tools and techniques, but my take is more just go out there and hit it with what you got and you’ll figure it out. Not rocket science, eh? Definitely not as much involved as learning how to chop.
Good vid Kevin. I thought this was going to be a short at first. ‘The ultimate splitting tutorial’ “Hit the wood with an axe and stack it by the stove”
I still don't have Cook's book so it was great to get a tidbit. Also, cute dogs. I bought an axe and a couple other things yesterday from a couple with a Beagle x Bernese Mountain Dog mix. Seemed like a great dog. Finally, my uncle has an old hydraulic splitter that sometimes creeps closed, so slowly that you don't always notice it. A couple years ago he absentmindedly set his chainsaw on it and some minutes later...*CRUUUUNCH*.
I agree on the sledge and wedge Vs the big maul. I've been wanting to try that Fiskars also. Never notice you had a finger missing. Or was it reattached?
I agree the chopping block has its place and too each their own. The fiskars is a perfect tool for splitting where an overstrike doesn't make you cry. Great points on not having to exert all your force in doing work. Wedge and sledge to manage the pieces you cant even get to the splitter. Thanks for sharing
Just general stuff that makes sense to me. No need to complicate it.
Really good info on wood splitting. I have been using a fiskars x25 since 2015. It is my go to axe for splitting firewood. It just simply works. I just recently bought a fiskars isocore 6lb maul. I tried it out and while it is lighter than an 8lb maul, it has a 36 inch handle which I do not like. You can use it to pound wedges which I look forward to doing in the spring. If the handle was the same length as the x25 I think it would work great. Anyway stay blessed and stay safe! Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.
I’ve also had one for a long time. And I’ve looked at the maul before for the reasons you brought up, but I’ve never got one for the exact reasons you mentioned.
@@KevinsDisobedience when I used the maul a few weeks back I found that I buried the head in the dirt when I split on the ground quite a bit. Using a maul is quite the work out. The fiskars maul worked really well but I think I'll start using a metal wedge to split the twisted and dense pieces.
Good vid Mr. Kevin, lots of variety and scenarios...
Thank you, sir. Just my two cents. You know me, I say what I think when I think it-right or wrong.
@@KevinsDisobedience Oh yeah, and your friends sometimes cringe, feel empathetic and grin when its over...
Well said! Hit the wood, and don't waste energy. Love it! 🪓🪵👍👍
Simple as, ain’t it?
Great when you're young & uninjured. I use a gas powered splitter. I use to have a Granfors Brux small forest split axe
I’ll be 40 next year. Have worked construction all my life. Have had a herniated disc, dislocated knee, and chronic tendonitis all in the last three years. If you made it far enough, you saw that I use a gas splitter as well. You want both.
Awesome video !!! I really like how in depth you went on all of it. I’m going to forward this video to my sister because she lives alone, just got a wood stove and I sent her a fiskars x25 for Christmas, but I am worried about her obviously. This is perfect timing with this video. There was only so much I could explain via txt so this will be great information for her !! Thanks for the great video man !!
Hope it helps her. This is definitely the right axe.
Great vid !
I grew up splitting lots of elm. Some of it quite big , 36" diameters sometimes. And rock maple ect.
That was pre hydraulic splitters so we used chainsaws to split the worst of it.
On larger White and Black Spruce I have not had much success with the X25. The X27 worked ok. A standard 6 or 8 lb splitting maul doesn't work any better.
A full size Tassie works the best.
We burn LOTS of spruce here in Alaska because it's what grows here.
For dry Spruce, beattle or fire killed. The X25 and X27 work wonderfully ! As they do for birch and some aspen when they can be gotten.
Fair point. Knotty spruce and pine suck!
Deserves way more than 75 likes, nice video. I am currently reading the Ax Book by D. Cook and it's great. All the best, from Snowdonia, North Wales, UK.
Cheers, the book is great!
Excellent well presented video Kevin! I liked the narration also. Happy 2023.
Happy new year!
great video! there is certainly a place for all tools, techniques and methods to improve efficiency
Yeah sure, different woods different tools and techniques, but my take is more just go out there and hit it with what you got and you’ll figure it out. Not rocket science, eh? Definitely not as much involved as learning how to chop.
Good vid Kevin. I thought this was going to be a short at first.
‘The ultimate splitting tutorial’
“Hit the wood with an axe and stack it by the stove”
That’s basically enough said. Hit it until it splits and stack it lol.
You've convinced me. I'm getting a Fiskars.
You won’t be disappointed. It’s a splitter.
What is the wood your splitting at 3:38? Red oak? Looks nice
Black Cherry. It’s my favorite firewood.
Good tip on not roundhousing the maul. Older rotator cuffs don't tolerate that!
Yeah, it’s hard on the cuffs.
👋
Great vid bro! just found your channel. new sub. love the d.cook reference of the ax book, my copy has tons of highlite cover to cover. u in PA?
Thanks, welcome aboard. Yeah in PA
I always thought the buckin and Ben were both using the “flick,” it didn’t realize they were different techniques.
Similar, but Ben starts out with the axe at a 45, but I think he would tell you anything with split cedar.
I still don't have Cook's book so it was great to get a tidbit. Also, cute dogs. I bought an axe and a couple other things yesterday from a couple with a Beagle x Bernese Mountain Dog mix. Seemed like a great dog. Finally, my uncle has an old hydraulic splitter that sometimes creeps closed, so slowly that you don't always notice it. A couple years ago he absentmindedly set his chainsaw on it and some minutes later...*CRUUUUNCH*.
Cook is a must read for any wood’s loving, axe junky. Yikes! That sucks.
I agree on the sledge and wedge Vs the big maul. I've been wanting to try that Fiskars also. Never notice you had a finger missing. Or was it reattached?
Great axe, that. No, missing a good inch or so on my left hand, middle finger. The fingernail grew part way back so it’s not so noticeable.
If it feels like work you're doing it wrong.
It’s why I won’t use a maul. Feels too much like work.
First !!!
First