My dad is a life long arborist. The kind of guy who ran a tree service company for decades and competed in Lumberjack Competition sports. He taught me to chop wood a bit different than this video explains. If you follow this videos instruction you increase the risk of hitting your shin and after a lot of chopping you'll overuse lower back muscles on the right side. It's important to keep legs perpendicular like you're doing a squat. You wont get as much down force because the arc of the swing is smaller but you wont accidentally hit your leg if you glance off the wood and you wont over use your back muscles. Summary: Spread your legs like you're doing a squat. Let the weight of your maul do the work so you dont tire out quickly.

PREFACE: I have been cutting and splitting firewood for over 40 years, without ever having an accident or injury. My buddy and I cut and split an average of 60-80 cords per year, so I know a thing or two about proper wood splitting techniques ... This video shows improper techniques that will tire you quickly, and can cause serious bodily injury. The proper techniques are: 1. Never swing in a full arc. You bring the axe overhead one hand down on the hand grip area and the other up by the head of the axe/maul. You then slide your upper hand down to the lower hand during the swing. 2. You swing with your shoulders square to the center of the log you’re going to split. 3. Legs square to the log and a bit wider apart than shoulder width (in case you over-swing and miss the target area. 4. You swing for the far side of the log. That way if you miss your axe/maul hits the splitting block below the log you’re splitting instead of possibly hitting one of your legs. 5. You must grip the axe/maul firmly to avoid glancing blows like Jenn did at the end of her last swing. Glancing blows can cause severe injury if anyone is standing near where you’re splitting.

@mouppe

4 жыл бұрын

I completely concur and wrote the same in my post just before you did.

@danydany1973

4 жыл бұрын

That is in deed the right way. And never indoors!!!! Imaging letting go of the axe and right into the wall !

@no9254me

4 жыл бұрын

Make a video. For the love of god.

@pavelow235

4 жыл бұрын

@dimensional craftsman And of course, you have NO VIDEOS.

@DIMENSIONALCRAFTSMAN

4 жыл бұрын

pavelow235, I have no videos, YET, because I am busy working and don’t have the luxury of affording a film crew to follow me around ... YET!

Fiskars advises against using the x27 splitting axe to hammer on things like wedges....

The video's title brought Rodger to mind, miss the big guy.

@mrpiccolo23

Жыл бұрын

His video with Kevin on splitting firewood is much better...

Awsome real time video. Thank you.

When I split wood I usually just karate chop it, no tools needed and works every time.

@mr.nobody68

3 жыл бұрын

Chuck Norris just stares at his logs and they split in fear

@hambone3145

2 жыл бұрын

Great tip!

@robertfinch6602

2 жыл бұрын

Ouch lol..

Amazing!

This hurts my back just watching it. I'm 43 learning to split for the first time and I've done a few cords by hand this month. If I wasn't using a square stance, I'd probably be in the hospital by now.

I learned things. Thanks

Tommy is the man.

Love the show love the advice. I can split wood wedge in my left sledge in my right much faster than most. This is a very informative video and I love it. I miss roger showing us tho so sad a stroke got him dang near eliminated from the show

@Hebrew869

2 жыл бұрын

I been watching since the 90s wish they could come fix my home since my dad passed hasn't been the same

@shermanhofacker4428

Жыл бұрын

Not really, Roger did one a while back and didn't do better!

Thanks so much

Awesome!!!!

@ThisOldHouse just FYI, the last 4 or so videos haven’t been appearing in subscription feeds. The live stream did, but the regular videos did not. They only show in recommended. Some setting must be wrong.

How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a wood chuck could chuck wood?

Glad to see they're still going strong. With that placement and authoritative power delivery, I can tell he's definitely chopped wood a few times.

I started splitting wood when I was 9 years old using my grandpas sledge hammer and wedge than he bought me a maul I became an adult and live in a house without wood heat I don't swing a sledge hammer as much and my back really feels it.

@VitaKet

Жыл бұрын

I think you're just getting old. Nothing is stopping you from working out.

@Highlanddragon

Жыл бұрын

@@VitaKet my health is stopping me 4 herniated disc two in the base of my neck and two in my lower back thanks to my idiotic stunts on my bike in my early 20s plus arthritis in every joint in my body thanks to rheumatic fever and a bum knee stops me from doing what I use to do riding a bike is a no I tried while I was teaching my niece to ride last year and I do swing a sledge hammer but not that often.

Whatis your splitter called? Make and model or maybe just type?

Wow its all about the girth

Kind of reminded me of Shenmue 3 wood chopping

Check out (The Crazy Russia guy). I like the way he split wood.

I love Tommy, but the video with Kevin and Roger splitting firewood is so much better. I don't think Tommy is swinging the axe correctly. Kevin has a better form using the hammer/axe/mauls and Roger cook has the confidence to describe in detail what the tools are used for and how they work. Meanwhile Jenn here, who I like as well, acts as if she's never seen any of these tools before in her life.

I bought several of those wood grenade wedges. Always bounce right out. A regular wedge works better. In hard to split wood, I start with a long, skinny wedge. Worst, twisted grain, I use a chainsaw. When that fails, it becomes fire pit wood.

I only use axe cheap one i cant find these expensive spliting sledges, but it works for me

I have that same Fiskar's axe (Mostly use it to split logs in half then use them to make the edges of garden pathways filled with wood mulch in between) It's really satisfying when the logs split in one swing

Makes me remember how much I miss Roger. Should be him doing this.

Indeed a difference in the girth makes a huge difference in splitting 😂

Good job Jenn. Need a little work on the swing.💪

Loved the video. Does a metatarsal guard or steel toe help? Or will an axe go through both?

@tkjazzer

4 жыл бұрын

Post more traditional hand tool videos

@greenmarine5

Жыл бұрын

proper safety gear is always recommended, a maul won't go threw steel toe unless your Paul Bunion

@allthingsconsdrble

Жыл бұрын

Wear steel toe

Love it. Fire wood heats you up at least 3 times. Check out Rocky Mountain Firewood for all things firewoodin'

I like captian americas method of using both hands to rip a log in half

I swear this guy can build a house or live in the wild with ease

I have not used either the Fiskars or splitter of the type Jenn was using. I have a splitter that is hydraulic and electric. My comment about the splitter is that with one that low, your back will soon hurt. Raise it up. My comment on both of their swings, is that neither Jenn nor Tom has their upper hand move along the maul's handle. One hand stays at the bottom of the handle, the other moves during the swing. Otherwise, Tom does pretty well. I also would not hammer with the Fiskars or any maul. Save the maul, use a sledge or some other thing meant just for pounding. A 4 pound Engineer's Hammer is what I use to pound a wedge, when something else will not do the job better, or when a log is a little stuck on the splitter or maul. Finally, a few words about drying wood would have been good for this segment.

So what do you think it's better? They cut her answer. I'm pretty sure she would've said the machine lol

@rupe53

4 жыл бұрын

Mo Ba ... when gals want to get it done, they always go for the power tools!

@kav0r

4 жыл бұрын

@@rupe53 haha yes exactly

Centrifugal force.😂😂😂😂

Good video, but I'd be a little concerned about lining up the left foot with the arc of the maul... seems like it could be dangerous, as opposed to a wider, feet apart stance.

@mark76197

2 жыл бұрын

I agree. I worry about splitting a shin if the log is missed

@TheDennys21

2 жыл бұрын

I have been choping wood for over 15 years, it doesn't matter in which position your legs are, it's perfectly safe in every position, i use a regular axe and it never came flying towards my legs, it's pretty much impossible to hurt yourself like that unless you are an absolute moron.

Fiskars Axe 🇫🇮

Also it all depends on the type of wood, try that on sweetgum or hickory

@AverageJoeHotRodShow

3 жыл бұрын

Im dealing with some nasty honey locust now. It is larget laughing at my Prandi 6.5 pound maul.

The arms and legs position are incorrect. People will chop their foot with an axe. The axe handle holding arm should be the same side with the back leg.

I want the first AXE, does anyone know what name?

@tbonesz1

3 жыл бұрын

Looks like one from big box stores

Esimene!!!

Thank you for your video. But what about a Foot Operated Manual Log Splitter, and a Log Splitting Drill Bit ??

@fatboy19831

2 жыл бұрын

The log splitting bit looks like a bust for consumers. With a high power motor on a press the bit might be awsome. As a home owner using the bit in a battery powered drill looks like more trouble than it is worth.

Fiskars are AMAZING, but NEVER use them to pound anything like wedges in!

@SalvadorSTMZ

3 жыл бұрын

It even says so on the handle when it's new. Its not a maul. Plus that axe is so good you won't need a wedge.

@silverismoney

2 жыл бұрын

Are they really worth the cost? They're quite expensive in the UK.

Your doing good, but keep working at it you'll get better and bigger arms

I came here to see Tommy rip those logs apart using his bare hands. An axe or maul are two simple machines in one, the lever and wedge with a human as the power-bank :P

@CHEVYCAMARO4GEN

4 жыл бұрын

rabbitslayer42 sometimes manual labor is fun and keeps your mind busy so I’d chosen by hand, that girl seems very down to earth and she prob choose the axe

@wilsonxyz92

4 жыл бұрын

Was expecting this also. We want to see Tommy rips those logs like Captain America 😄

I’m sorry, I really like your show etc. But this is not correct advice. The log should be towards the far side of the chopping block so that if you miss, there is a good chance the axe hits the block instead of your legs. Also you should not do a full circle swing, but rather a controlled lift and then strike down. Legs perpendicular to the block and bent slightly as you swing the axe. And yes, I chop a lot of wood regularly.

@loganharrison1692

4 жыл бұрын

Roger would have done this correctly

@idriveanagerar

4 жыл бұрын

Richard Leon, It’s actually a healthier and more natural motion to swing in that full circular motion. It’s the same mechanics of a softball pitch. Just going up and down repetitively can actually cause more harm and “repeated use injuries” to your wrists, arms, upper back, and hips. I have worked throughout my college career with athletes, athletic trainers, and physical therapists, and a plethora of coaching staff including strength and condition coaches. A full swinging motion like this is actually much better for you because you transition more of your energy and force into that piece of wood. Plus, If you have proper grip and stance while swinging an axe, you should not ever hit yourself. That’s why they line up before, and then take that small step/twist with the foot, forward. It’s eliminating the chance of missing while still maintaining full control of the axe. While you may chop wood regularly, understand that if something works well for you, by all means do what works. I’m just saying from a physics and athletic advantage standpoint, you actually have more control and a better range of motion doing it like this. Additionally, this is a way that would prevent you from straining yourself lifting a heavy axe just up and down over and over throughout the day. Using a full circular swinging motion is far more advantageous and better for your body over a longer period of time. Just know that if you chop wood like how you mentioned, you very could could be harming yourself and creating greater issues for you down the road.

@mouppe

4 жыл бұрын

@@idriveanagerar In practice, there is full control and minimized risk in the proper way to chop wood- the way I and others in the comments are advocating. Indeed, because you are taking a precise limited arc swing, your accuracy is increased and the chopping requires less strokes and is therefore more efficient and requires less exertion. There is a reason this technique has been used for thousands of years.

@elihibdon5548

Жыл бұрын

Eagle Scout here, we always swing in a full circle. Works great!

@jacobramsey7624

Жыл бұрын

My family uses wood as a second heat source in the winter time and we have to split wood at times that is wet or full of knots. That electric wood spliter is cool but even our conventional wood spliter has trouble at times with stubborn pieces of wood and I don't think the electric one would fare too well with those pices of wood.

If get splitting wedge and small hand sledge hammer 3-4lbs don't need know how to swing an axe. If do swing an axe an old tire stops the wood from flying and from hitting and busting your leg if miss. My grandfather severely broke his leg chopping wood when axe hit him in leg, them developed a blood clot that traveled to his brain.

what if im trying to split wood that ISN'T rotten, for a show?

Anybody tried to split 16 inch long 2 foot thick SYCAMORE rounds BY HAND? even difficult with a splitting wedge.

@Mr.Pennington

3 жыл бұрын

Never tried it, ive heard the same though. Ive got some short splitting videos if you are interested. Might get a lol

bruh I Was splitting woot with an axe while I was still in high school... I loved cutting wood and heating the house for my family. plus you get a pretty good work out for it.

Less work if you have your left hand near the bottom of the handle and your right hand near the top of the handle, and as you swing you slide your right hand down to meet your left hand. Legs perpendicular to the log and spread a little wider than shoulder width, knees bent slightly.

@nickgulde9203

4 жыл бұрын

Went to the comments to look for this specifically. I am very surprised no one beat you to it. I love splitting wood, really great for working through stress, and whenever I am with anyone or helping anyone these are usually the first things I mention. If you're strong and use this method, it isn't incredibly difficult to split a log in one chop.

@waynejohnson9855

3 жыл бұрын

@@nickgulde9203 no one beat him to it because not everyone splits the same. The first part I use but not the second as standing like that I do not achieve near the power as if I swing over my right shoulder, also the chopping block takes the best part of your swing away and not all wood that I split do you want to try to get on a block. I compare it to baseball not everyone uses the same stance to hit.

lemn putred, ala se sparge si daca il dai de pamant :))

This is a very exhaust way to split wood. I prefer to use a hammer tapping an axe to split woods the easy and much less exhaust way.

for those who are asking that axe is made by *FISKARS*

You don’t need to swing the axe like that, lift it above your head and while dropping it your left hand should slide down on the handle. You will generate a lot more force with higher precision that way.

@NittanyNation22

5 ай бұрын

There’s zero chance you’re creating more force that way.

You didn’t correct her when she swung the ax from her right side She has to square off and the ax comes over her toward the wood.

Attention: I have zero experience splitting logs, but what I do know is how to insult them. When walking past an oak tree make sure to say "How's it going Suzy?" Really makes em' mad. Oak trees hate being called Suzy. You can also walk up to a tree with an axe and yell "More leaves next year or it's the axe for you bark face!" Nothing makes you feel better than threatening a tree, except when you see all those sweet sweet leaves on the tree the next year. Then you know that the tree knows who's Beech it is.

@shahul8222

3 жыл бұрын

Wtf

@Mr.Pennington

3 жыл бұрын

sensible chuckle*

I just use my manhood to split logs. The ladies love me.

@deanwinchester7179

2 жыл бұрын

Is it callused for her pleasure?

Axe this old house?

The machine looks easier and safer

just gonna wait for all the youtube wood splitting experts to chime in

@ryank5281

4 жыл бұрын

definitely no expert here but i cant imagine its recommended to hit the near side rather than the far side. near side just seems like a leg injury waiting to happen

@N-hunter

4 жыл бұрын

@@ryank5281 If you have a proper stance with two hands on the axe, its actually pretty hard to hit your leg.

@fadetounforgiven

4 жыл бұрын

@@ryank5281 no expert here, but I've done my share of log splitting along the years. I don't begin on either place. I prefer beginning on the side (the right side from my point of view as I'm right handed). That will make the job a lot easier as you are somehow cutting tangentially to the rings of the tree (so to speak, I know this is not exact as you are actually cutting tangentially to only one of them, but you know what I mean). Doing it the way Tom does it requires you to work harder. If the log is quite wide, I even go around, chopping a bit at every step. I only do that kind of perpendicular way when the log is narrow enough to be splitted into only two or four pieces.

@DIMENSIONALCRAFTSMAN

4 жыл бұрын

Actually Nicholas Hunter, even with both hands on the axe and a proper stance you can hit your leg quite easily. I have seen three people in my life hit their legs during a miss-swing, a glancing blow and a ricochet. The miss-swing resulted in a 3/8” thick slice to the outside my cousin’s left calf, the glancing blow resulted in a goose-egg sized lump on my buddy’s right shin, and the ricochet resulted in the end of the maul bouncing back into another buddy’s right shoulder and dislocating it. So, “proper stance with two hands on the axe” is not a guarantee.

@DIMENSIONALCRAFTSMAN

4 жыл бұрын

fadetounforgiven, splitting tangentially decreases the burn time of the wood. That is why wood is split perpendicular to the grain; it burns longer.

I think with this method of splitting wood by hand you could end up driving the axe into your foot or leg if you miss the log. Please check out safer methods before attempting this.

Who splits wood indoors?

Don’t use the Fiskars to hammer anything. Says right there on the plastic cover.

Smashing down on a wooden floor

Go watch bucking Billy Ray for some real steel swinging.

@johnsteffy4472

3 жыл бұрын

“Split with the bark to ya, friends!” -Buckin’ Billy Ray

Would not use gloves when using a axe the handle might slip though gloves

@i.m.askance7996

3 жыл бұрын

I've split a lot of wood wearing gloves, and also not wearing them. Never had the axe or maul slip out of my hands...yet!

@TheHoleInMyBucket

Жыл бұрын

Now you've done it! Next time you use one it'll be....arghhhhhh!

I just want to call attention to one small thing This Old House did get wrong in this segment. It’s nothing about what they used nor their mechanics. They reference that splitter to use centrifugal force to split wood. This is incorrect. Understand that centri-“fugal” force is not really an actual “force”. What references that kind of circular path motion for force, is really called centri-“petal” force. That is the actual force that is tangential (think a line from the center of the circle, and the end of that line there is a 90° angle directed toward the path of motion the circle is moving. THAT is really what that force is called, “centripetal” and NOT centrifugal. Please make that clear designation. I know this because I studied physics and engineering throughout college and there is no such centrifugal force....but centripetal force is the actual name of this kind of circular path of motion “force”.

@rupe53

4 жыл бұрын

David Sarnevitz ... When they are talking about centrifugal force, they are talking about what's inside that machine. Instead of hydraulics (like most splitters) it uses a flywheel to gather up enough force and maintain it through the power stroke of the wedge. The lever action simply engages the moving parts to the stationary wedge, then slams it home. This way you don't need a 10 hp electric motor to do the job.

@idriveanagerar

4 жыл бұрын

rupe53 I understand that. But scientifically there is no such thing as centrifugal force. That is actually what’s called centri-PETAL force. What you said and what they said about how the machine functions and splits is totally correct. But that kind of force is really centripetal force.

@rupe53

4 жыл бұрын

@@idriveanagerar ... ok, but we're splitting hairs to the common man. The reality is centrifugal force is what makes a centrifuge do it's job in chemistry labs.

Good video but both of you wouldn’t last long bustin wood like that!

I love "This Old House" but the techniques taught in this video are very suspect. That stance is the absolute worst you can have. Get your distance and stand with your feet shoulder width apart or a little more. Get good footing and DO NOT helicopter the axe around like that. Pick the axe/maul up above your head and drive it into the edge of the log like he described here. Never stand with your feet staggered like that and wear heavy leather or rubber boots preferably with a safety toe in them.

Bad for your back, the splitter has to be on higher legs!

Sorry, this is not how you split wood with an axe. You split wood to help it dry, therefore you split it wet. You twist your wrist as the axe strikes the wood. If the block does not split the axe should strike the block on its side. If done correctly it is loss work than the hydraulic splitter.

Which one is better? well it depends. The Electric log splitter cost $530 The splitting Axe Tommy was using cost $68 At the end of the day, your budget will answer the above question.

These city folk tho. Lol

@bing12345678901

3 жыл бұрын

Seriously, lol

@mrpiccolo23

Жыл бұрын

The video with Kevin and Roger from about a decade ago is much better.

Always be sure to split indoors with bystanders close by to catch those flying splits with their shins Also, in the event your bystanders don't catch em, your dog, children, furniture, lamp, walls, doors, or windows will. Please wear long pants to prevent bloody shins when a log inevitably flies at you. It happens. And do I really need to mention steel toed boots? Gloves prevent splinters and blisters. For large logs, start closer to one side (left to right) rather than center. Once you get it open, it's easier. Alternate technique (right hand dominant) Hold your left hand at the base of the handle. Hold your right hand snug against the head. During your back swing, your right hand slides down to meet your left. Easier than it sounds and I feel like I get more control, less fatigue, and a faster, more powerful swing. Stuck maul Swing the maul again while it's still in the log. The added weight is awkward but helps give a more powerful swing. Can be dangerous if the maul isn't wedged in there very tight. You can also continue driving it through by smacking the Christ out of it with a heavy sledge or another maul (hammer to hammer contact). The law of the lever: If you don't love er, leave er. Kidding Use the entire length of the handle for leverage to rock the maul loose. Might even have to lift the maul and the log and ram it forwards into the side of another log in order to get it loose. Don't hold the log with your hand while shaking the maul loose. I've watched idiots do this, lose control of the weight of the maul after muscling it loose, and bouncing it off their hand

@wfemp_4730

6 ай бұрын

Long pants won't prevent bloody shins. Don't ask me how I know.

😂

never one leg closer. yikes

Seriously, you couldn't do that outside?

@rupe53

4 жыл бұрын

Jeffrey John ... that shop is already set up as a TV studio so lots less work to do a quick demonstration.

@jeffreyjohn2037

4 жыл бұрын

@@rupe53 it might be easier to bring a camera outside, than to lug all of that stuff up the stairs.

@rupe53

4 жыл бұрын

@@jeffreyjohn2037 ... it's not just the camera. There's lighting, sound recording, heating / AC... and the possibility of a tight shooting schedule with a pending weather problem. IOW, there's lots of reasons they might have decided to do the scene inside. (as goofy as it sounds)

You’re splitting all wrong. She almost got her leg on her last swing. This old house needs to watch some how to vids themselves. Lol

@mickjager5974

3 жыл бұрын

Yeah, I'd recommend a shorter block to set the log on so if you miss short of the log the splitter hits the ground before it comes swinging toward your feet and legs. Also makes putting big logs up on it for several hours less work.

@mrpiccolo23

Жыл бұрын

They need to watch THEIR OWN video with Kevin and Roger from about a decade ago... so much better!

Fiskars not designed for pounding metal wedges

Your swinging method is all wrong you need to slide your hand down the handle during the swing it puts more force in the hit

@colinlazaruk8654

3 жыл бұрын

thank goodness someone finally said this... more force, WAY more controlled and you dont get tired nearly as fast. I split 4 cords every fall this way. Also, people think a heavy maul is more work, but the point of the extra weight is so you dont have to muscle it, with good technique gravity does half the work.

she's cute!

If you don’t have steel toes pls watch your feet

Old video, but still a lot of incorrect information. Some good. Some bad.

If you've ever 3/4 split a log and didn't split it by hand and imagine your self as Captain America you ain't living man.

This is absolutely inaccurate and somebody's going to get hurt doing it this way

@mrpiccolo23

Жыл бұрын

Who let Bob Vila write this segment??

Not how I'd ever chop wood.

She is standing too close and in the wrong spot; shouldn’t be off to the side.

Negative

That is not how you should split by hand !

There is just so much wrong with this video: a) totally wrong and dangerous feet positioning when using an axe. Sooner or later that axe will find it way into her leg. b) A Fiskars X27 should not be used as a sledgehammer c) most of all I have literally never seen somebody splitting wood on wooden floorboards indoors. OK you put down a wooden board which may help to distribute force, but still you will be putting huge strain on the floorboards and at some point that axe will go right into your lovely floor. That's not to mention the shards of offcuts that will go everywhere in your workshop, split any quantity of wood indoors and you will have a huge clean-up job on your hands.

@mrpiccolo23

Жыл бұрын

The video with Kevin and Roger from about a decade ago is much better.

Too many hits along the center. That’s why she’s so buff, lol. Splitting wood doesn’t require a whole lot of muscle. Women did it all the time in the old days. Wasn’t just a man’s job.

Please dont split wood like this. This will save you thousands in Doctor bills.

Thats why females don’t chop wood. “Stay in the kitchen and get dinner ready hun. I’ll chop some wood to keep us warm.”

@mrpiccolo23

Жыл бұрын

There's probably females out there that could easily chop you in half.

That's the wrong way

If you're new to splitting wood, don't listen to this fool. Look up Thoren Bradley and he will show you da way. Only Listen to this guy if you plan to chop your foot off.