Splitting Wood is Fun: Here Are Some Tips

My job as a 6 year old was to bring in the wood each winter. I did that most days until I left for college at age 18. The King of Axes here: • The King of Axes
From "Two Tramps in Mud Time"
...The weight of an axe head poised aloft, the grip of earth on outspread feet, the life of
muscles rocking soft, and smooth and moist in vernal heat...
Robert Frost has done this before...
Entire Robert Frost Poem here: • "Two Tramps In Mud Tim...
Enjoy EC? Join Essential Craftsman Academy!
essentialcraftsman.com/academy
This is the best way to support Essential Craftsman and you get a LOT of perks as a bonus!
Free Starter Blacksmithing Tool List bit.ly/blacksmithingtools
Free Guide - 100 Tools Every Craftsman Must Have bit.ly/EC100tools
Did you know we have a podcast?
Spotify spoti.fi/39ezy3d
Apple apple.co/33dbrJQ
Stitcher bit.ly/3NWy8sY
KZread bit.ly/2n4HCLG
Buy a knife from Cy Swan here: greenvalleyforge.com/
Second Channel (Podcast video, family, misc content) bit.ly/2n4HCLG
If you are going to hire a contractor for a big project PLEASE read our ebook first!
amzn.to/2v6qZ6j
T Shirts, Hoodies, and other Merch: bit.ly/2C7JFRv
Instagram / essentialcr. .
Twitter / ecnatwad
Facebook / essentialcra. .
Like the music? Spotify Playlist Here spoti.fi/3NzAnTg
Amazon Affiliate Links:
Amazon Store amzn.to/2pcUk8G
Makita 18v Impact amzn.to/2R9uamN
4 ft level amzn.to/389qsQa
Utility Knife amzn.to/2RjVRJL
Palm Nailer amzn.to/2LhvTTd
Spencer Tape amzn.to/2EQWxPy
Carpenter Bags amzn.to/2XeBaC1
Belt bit.ly/3MsdijV
Hammer amzn.to/31y4q66
Tape Measure amzn.to/2WYg23Q
Skil Saw amzn.to/2UcQyLi
Video Equipment and Misc.
Main Camera amzn.to/2WG9qSC
Secondary Camera amzn.to/32tS2Vx
Microphone (for narration from office) amzn.to/2WquPnM
Wireless Microphone amzn.to/2IGpNto
Other Wireless Microphone amzn.to/397VmxJ
Tripod amzn.to/2XOJcOd
GoPro amzn.to/3znHgTA
GoPro Tripod amzn.to/3aL8pFH
Battery Bucket amzn.to/3GVR9cV
ActionPacker amzn.to/2l7Msqv
Learn more about Essential Craftsman
essentialcraftsman.com/
Thank you, be safe, and be grateful.

Пікірлер: 561

  • @BuckinBillyRaySmith
    @BuckinBillyRaySmith3 жыл бұрын

    Well, you gotta feel good when your community members let you know that you have been mentioned in a video from someone of this caliber. Mr . Essential Craftsman, what an honour. Thank you for your words.... and great video, sincerely, Buckin’ , Be Kind .

  • @SonOfLiberty1984

    @SonOfLiberty1984

    3 жыл бұрын

    Salt of the earth hard working genuine folk here, Buckin'. Ya fit right in, brother!

  • @zachdresser315

    @zachdresser315

    3 жыл бұрын

    Dear Scott and Nate, please do a podcast with Buckin! What a collaboration that would make 🤞🏻

  • @Mr.Pennington

    @Mr.Pennington

    3 жыл бұрын

    Love it when quality channels "crossover"*

  • @davidh-p9245

    @davidh-p9245

    3 жыл бұрын

    KZread algorithm took me from essential crafstman to buckin billy! Love both of your channels!

  • @ColeRees

    @ColeRees

    3 жыл бұрын

    Two of the best channels on KZread! Thank you for your content, gentlemen.

  • @JTwelder.
    @JTwelder.3 жыл бұрын

    Buckin billy Ray is definitely the man to watch for any tree content

  • @pauledwards9493

    @pauledwards9493

    3 жыл бұрын

    Hope Buckin comes across this.

  • @snettan

    @snettan

    3 жыл бұрын

    I heard something else then buckin, had to rewind

  • @kodoan411

    @kodoan411

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@snettan as did I. Would've been the first time he uttered it.... me? It's hard to complete a sentence without it...

  • @zachdresser315

    @zachdresser315

    3 жыл бұрын

    Nothing but good clean content here, ALL THE TIME EVERY TIME ! Way to go Scott and Nate 👍🏻

  • @PatrickWagz

    @PatrickWagz

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@pauledwards9493 Buckin left a comment 5 hours ago!!

  • @austinpatrick2682
    @austinpatrick26823 жыл бұрын

    I LOVE splitting wood. It's so much fun. There's just something primal and manly and energizing about it. I grunt like Tim the Tool Man Taylor every time 😂

  • @JH-kj4id
    @JH-kj4id3 жыл бұрын

    One of my favorite memories is splitting wood for my mom. She had (strategically) put a sign by the wood pile that read “He who splits his own wood, warms himself twice” I always think of that to this day while working a woodpile.

  • @MikfinityPog

    @MikfinityPog

    2 жыл бұрын

    You can also warm yourself up by hauling that wood to the house!

  • @Mikeyavelli

    @Mikeyavelli

    Жыл бұрын

    I love this

  • @tehjamerz

    @tehjamerz

    Жыл бұрын

    ​@Mikfinity depending on the wood, if you care about soot anyway

  • @danielszemborski
    @danielszemborski3 жыл бұрын

    He's the Chuck Norris of log splitting! Good job, old man!

  • @bradcavanagh3092

    @bradcavanagh3092

    3 жыл бұрын

    How much wood could a wood Chuck chuck....

  • @dannywilsher4165

    @dannywilsher4165

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@bradcavanagh3092 I don't know about a woodchuck but I know how much a Scott can split!!!

  • @jontheroofer1968

    @jontheroofer1968

    3 жыл бұрын

    The older the man, the more accurate on that checking those hits will be

  • @francisrampen9099
    @francisrampen90993 жыл бұрын

    Tip: if you live in an area with actual winter wait until the temperature is below freezing. The wood will often almost split itself. Great technique Scott!

  • @ronfox5519

    @ronfox5519

    6 ай бұрын

    And there's a lot fewer skeeters to hone in on their stationary victim

  • @joshrowe2275
    @joshrowe22753 жыл бұрын

    So glad I’m not the only one who’s favorite past time is splitting wood

  • @thegodemperorofmankind7yea704

    @thegodemperorofmankind7yea704

    3 жыл бұрын

    Pass time, because, you know, you’re passing the time

  • @joshrowe2275

    @joshrowe2275

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@thegodemperorofmankind7yea704 that’s what I meant, thank you haha

  • @kurtdietrich5421
    @kurtdietrich54213 жыл бұрын

    I'm 63 too and I've been splitting firewood since I'm 12. Love it. Great way to relax after a tough, long day at work. Or, a cold weekend morning with a mug of hot coffee and a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich. (It's a long island thing.)

  • @AKdesignsandhardwoods
    @AKdesignsandhardwoods3 жыл бұрын

    I feel like I am the only one in the heart of Tacoma still burning wood. I get free delivery from arborist in the area, and always have a group of older folks watching and talking when I am out there splitting on a nice sunny morning. buckin billy ray is a master of his craft and his love for what he does in life is absolutely amazing.

  • @steven_farmer89

    @steven_farmer89

    3 жыл бұрын

    I’m up near issaquah and building a house has giving me plenty of cords of wood for years to come. As you know, firewood heats you up three times, when you cut it down, when you split it, and when you burn it.

  • @MikfinityPog

    @MikfinityPog

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@steven_farmer89 Love that quote, I think I heard Buckin' Billy Ray Smith say it before.

  • @badlandskid
    @badlandskid3 жыл бұрын

    Knot my favorite childhood memory. 😁

  • @essentialcraftsman

    @essentialcraftsman

    3 жыл бұрын

    Haaa!!

  • @PatrickWagz

    @PatrickWagz

    3 жыл бұрын

    I *saw* what you did there! Hope you weren't too *board* by this video!!

  • @kevisthegoat
    @kevisthegoat3 жыл бұрын

    Cool of you to shout out Buckin Billy Ray! Guy is a tank with an axe

  • @elizabethclaiborne6461
    @elizabethclaiborne646112 күн бұрын

    This is an awesome channel! Dude taught me to use a scary chain saw safely, I took apart the trees down in my driveway. If I can split them for firewood I don’t have to pay to have them hauled away. I’m a 64 yr old lady and it’s very satisfying to chain saw an oak tree apart! 😉

  • @joshrowe2275
    @joshrowe22753 жыл бұрын

    Buckin Billy ray can chop and drop! Great video Scott!

  • @skoparweaver7692
    @skoparweaver7692Ай бұрын

    I hated splitting wood as a kid, but now I sort of love it. You are right that things that bring us back to childhood are definitely things we seek out.

  • @blankroomsoup666
    @blankroomsoup6663 жыл бұрын

    One of the highlights of going to visit my parents is that I almost always get to chop some firewood

  • @naaaaaaaaaa3549
    @naaaaaaaaaa35493 жыл бұрын

    I like the subtle shout out to Buckin’, shows the respect these men have for one another. He’s the man if you’re trying to learn about trees and splittin.

  • @mdrobnson3912
    @mdrobnson39123 жыл бұрын

    From the hills of Tennessee. When I was a kid, my granddad sharecropped a 375 acre cattle farm. 100 acres of those was on a ridgeside. The grade was so steep the only way up was to go three miles down the valley and three miles back up to the back gate and the only vehicle that would pull that road was a tractor. We were up there one day. He was cutting I was splitting and loading, or trying to. He had cut an old growth oak and because of the grade it was a tall stump. We sat down to lunch and after he ate, he picked me up and sat me on that stump. I sat there eating my bologna and cheese, looking down at the scenery. Mr Wadsworth, I love your channel because you remind me so much of my papaw. He, too, was never one to sit still. So many things I learned from him just through his actions. He never was one to say much. My homelife was pure hell on Earth and the only place I felt safe, was when he and I were out having our adventures. We always worked but it never seemed like work to me, because I knew I was with the one man in my life, that truly loved me. I'm not much on such work these days. Not much of that goes on around here now But oh how I'd love to have one more time with just he and myself, up there on that ridgeside, making littleuns out of bigguns and knocking time off the clock dial.

  • @essentialcraftsman

    @essentialcraftsman

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much for this...

  • @mdrobnson3912

    @mdrobnson3912

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@essentialcraftsman No sir Thank you!!! Your content is top notch and so helpful in far more ways than you realize for myself and so many others. On their behalf, I say thank YOU sir. Godspeed and God bless!!!

  • @hansangb
    @hansangb3 жыл бұрын

    Is there *ANYTHING* you don't know how to do well? 😁 You certainly are the valedictorian of School of Hard Knocks... Scratch that, you are the Dean!! Mad respect!

  • @michealdchastain3637
    @michealdchastain36373 жыл бұрын

    I'm an 8 lb man, myself. Also prefer to go straight through knots. That said, I grew up in Polk County, OR. Timber and firewood was a constant occurrence, in my life from the late '70's-late '80's. In the early 2010's, I ran a firewood company for 3 years. Rediscovering my enjoyment of slinging a chainsaw (ran an early '70's Homelite and a Stiel 360, both with 24 in bars), and how good it felt to swing a splitting maul. I was blessed to gather my material in Detroit Ranger District, which ment Douglas Fir. Honestly some of the most beautiful wood to split. In 3 years time, my company grossed over $100k, heating over 200 homes. I miss the work, sometimes. Thank you, Mr Wadsworth, for this video.

  • @lancelenoir2875
    @lancelenoir28753 жыл бұрын

    Nothing beats some good Ash or Red Oak that is split-friendly.

  • @mikesr3407

    @mikesr3407

    3 жыл бұрын

    Red oak makes you look fantastic , white oak , not so much ! Most of my red oak is dieing not sure why , no apparent reason . Biggest one I've seen still alive is 18 diameter .

  • @lancelenoir2875

    @lancelenoir2875

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@mikesr3407 Not sure what part of the country you are in but it could be a water mold. The amount of rain we've had in the south this year is insane. Consider myself lucky to have hundreds of 24" to 30" red oaks on my property. Lost a 38" a few months back in a storm and have loads of firewood now.

  • @modvavet
    @modvavet4 ай бұрын

    God, this did my heart good. I see so many folks on KZread- in a lot of cases, folks who are trying to educate other people- taking the most difficult paths, possible to split firewood. Hell, there was one guy I saw a couple weeks ago who spent a solid 5 minutes on a single piece just kind of fooling around with wedges. I'm 43 and grew up splitting the same way you do. I hated it when I was younger, but I absolutely love doing it when I get the chance now.

  • @EdWilliamsPDX
    @EdWilliamsPDX3 жыл бұрын

    Oh, man, this took me back!! Some of my most favorite times as a teenager were those spent splitting up the winter's firewood in the late summer. Maine, August, a strong, healthy 16 year old with the sun on his back, a grin on his face and the world at his feet. Gosh, those were wonderful years. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

  • @ALAPINO
    @ALAPINO2 жыл бұрын

    I love, love, love, splitting clean wood. Rarely have opportunity to do it so it was nice to see you enjoy doing it.

  • @pfcaraujo
    @pfcaraujo2 жыл бұрын

    You are the grandpa I never had. I’ve learned so much from you, and I in turn, I am teaching my two boys. We have the sharpest knives in the city, and are getting very handy. Thanks so much for the time you have spent to to show us your hard earned experience. We built primitive shelters in the forest yesterday and used many skills that I learned right here on your channel.

  • @mackfisher4487
    @mackfisher44873 жыл бұрын

    Nate, did you read the "Adventures of Tom Sawyer" and how Tom get Ben to paint the fence?

  • @jamesclose5085
    @jamesclose50859 ай бұрын

    Dear Scott, between you and Buckin Buckin, I have survived two existential crises. Honest craftsmen with a wider message.

  • @cooperrumph6868
    @cooperrumph6868 Жыл бұрын

    I remember I was just getting good at splitting wood around 14yrs old living outside Spokane. Just like in this video I'd line up a bunch of rounds and obliterate them at one blow. Incredibly satisfying. Recently had to split and stack some wood for a relative and learned the hard way that it makes a HUGE difference to have nice dry wood.

  • @BuckinBillyRaySmith
    @BuckinBillyRaySmith Жыл бұрын

    Just watched this again such a great video .. firewood has salvaged so many wondering men out there just wanting to accomplish something. It’s where it all started for this busted up ol’ faller. Thx again Scott

  • @crossboss2718
    @crossboss27186 ай бұрын

    Grew up hating this chore now as a young adult I find it relaxing and it’s a great workout

  • @AnthonyStabler
    @AnthonyStabler3 жыл бұрын

    I'm 64 and remember a time when my boys gave me an excuse to beat the snot out of a pile ash rounds. They've grown up but I occasionally still enjoy the exercise.

  • @OceanofMaya
    @OceanofMaya3 жыл бұрын

    Have to agree about Buckin' Billy Ray...that guy is perhaps the best 'feller' I've ever seen. Nice to see him get a compliment for his wood-splitting as well. Says good things about a person who is willing to compliment others for no reason but to acknowledge their skill. Good stuff.

  • @marklyon3071
    @marklyon30713 жыл бұрын

    My family burned wood as a primary source of heat in the winter and my dad thought it was a great skill and character building experience for us 5 boys to split the winters wood, I never forgot after first learning from experience how to get the wood to split from the checks in the grain then the he brought home some logs that were Cedar telephone poles, wow we thought we were Superman! We could split them so easy it was so fun! We ended up splitting up that wood into kindling and dad also taught us how to use a fro to make wood shingles. Thanks for bringing back the memories!!

  • @lbhunter6341
    @lbhunter63413 жыл бұрын

    One of the "chores" that never fails to satisfy...thanks for taking us along!

  • @bluegrassoutdoors
    @bluegrassoutdoors Жыл бұрын

    Some good hand splitting footage. I prefer an axe all day as well over a maul. You can hit many angles with an axe that are far more challenging to accomplish with a maul. One of many reasons I prefer an axe. Thanks for sharing!

  • @IronsInTheFire-Official
    @IronsInTheFire-Official3 жыл бұрын

    Love it :) My dad was bound & determined to use ONLY a mechanical log splitter when I was a kid (read: wanted me to split the logs while the exhaust blew in my face haha). I eventually found some peace and, quite frankly, some exercise value in splitting by hand. I'd spend hours just busting piles of firewood! Mom & dad had firewood and I had an excuse to get out of the house & get sweaty haha!

  • @melchiorcaumo1678
    @melchiorcaumo16782 жыл бұрын

    I went to a boarding school while in high school. We had to do various chores, but i always liked spliting wood more. I got good at it and was always given this task. To date, i still remeber the peace and calm it gave me.

  • @jayyambrovich3740
    @jayyambrovich37403 жыл бұрын

    Scott, you're a firewood splittin' beast! Brought a grin to my face. Thanks

  • @junkredo2518
    @junkredo25183 жыл бұрын

    Some of the hardest things in life can be the most rewarding. I love splitting wood.

  • @plumhillfarm7285
    @plumhillfarm72853 жыл бұрын

    I like how this methods lets you wreak havoc, then rest your guns while you pick up and re-stand the pieces.

  • @spock59
    @spock593 жыл бұрын

    Scott, at 63, you still have the moves! Buckin' Bill Ray would be proud!

  • @zx6rdood
    @zx6rdood3 жыл бұрын

    The Fiskars splitting axe was a life changer for me. Lighter than a maul and you can swing it at the speed of light all day long

  • @johnjenkins4139
    @johnjenkins41393 жыл бұрын

    I admire this man . I helped my Dad split wood for several years . He taught me to use an axe , a three pound axe . It isn't how hard you swing , you add a little twist just before contact . If it doesn't split , your axe won't stick .

  • @patvogt1106
    @patvogt11062 жыл бұрын

    This channel contains some of the most wholesome content on KZread. Thanks for doing what you do !

  • @Brainchild69
    @Brainchild693 ай бұрын

    Great video. I used to split firewood when I was a youngster and I honestly enjoyed it. My Daddy told me some of the things you pointed out about how to go about it and seeing and hearing you say those things brought back fond memories, so I thank you for that.

  • @metricdeep8856
    @metricdeep88569 ай бұрын

    Yup...Spent many a day splitting wood with my best friend while left to ourselves. Good times. Good skills. No one watched us back then.... and we just wanted to discover what we could do. Sometimes we had some stories to tell....sometimes we kept our mouths shut about what happened. No one got hurt (though very close at times), and that's all mom needs to know. Dad always knew there was more to the story and he would just tell us how to make sure we were safe without asking too many questions. We learned a lot....and are better for it.

  • @jpm1211
    @jpm12113 жыл бұрын

    That's so cool, unlike what you see on TV with the guy (very inefficiently) picking up one piece of wood at a time and swinging at it, now I've learned the REAL smart way to do it is set up a field of logs so you can get in a rhythm, walk around swinging, and get exponentially more work done, all without the constant bending/swinging alternate which would destroy a man's back. (Bonus points if you have a young guy like Nate to do the setups in between!)

  • @timgiles9413
    @timgiles9413 Жыл бұрын

    This guy is an awesome teacher about most anything.

  • @wfldfire
    @wfldfire2 жыл бұрын

    I love hand splitting fire wood. This video put a smile on my face and now I can't wait till the weekend because I've got some work of my own to do

  • @Andrea-bw8xm
    @Andrea-bw8xm3 жыл бұрын

    My father used to say..."...wood warms you twice!!" That was a good workout! Fun to watch. I used to put each log up on a bigger log, then pick up the next and the next...wish I had done your set up...but man I was warm!! Also, lately (and I'm sure this is sacrilege...) i love my hydraulic log splitter! 67 now so i pick my battles! And my shoulders thank me for it!

  • @woodlandburl6648
    @woodlandburl66483 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the video. I have not long ago found the joy of splitting logs . In fact found that I would ask my neighbor if I could help him. Not for profit but for the shear joy. Thanks again for the video.

  • @matthewfigelski2587
    @matthewfigelski25873 жыл бұрын

    What bring back some memories is the smell of the exhaust of a 12 valve Cummins. And yes for some reason 24 valve Cummins exhaust smells different

  • @duanelundgren7985
    @duanelundgren79853 жыл бұрын

    That was great.... after 60 years in Minnesota, I'm living in Las Vegas and my yard has trees that are of a size too large to just throw away... and so I have a couple 'walls' of firewood between the Palm (yuck!) trees for my Fire Ring. You can take the boy out of MN but you can't take the MN out of the boy!! I think my maul is a 5# and I've used it and loved it. Mom & Dad burned wood so there were years of splitting, there too. Splitting wood is THERAPEUTIC, at least for ME!!!! Thank You!!

  • @DustyOfferson
    @DustyOfferson5 ай бұрын

    I split wood for the first time in a very long time yesterday and had an absolute blast. Would love to have logs like yours to split!

  • @leontorkelson6246
    @leontorkelson62463 жыл бұрын

    I worked at the Minnesota Challenge Incarceration program (prison boot camp) as a Corrections officer. Manual labor was part of the program, I would supervise. Most of these men never used a 2 man saw, split wood, removed stumps or gardened. I taught many how to do these things because of my upbringing on the farm.

  • @introprospector

    @introprospector

    3 жыл бұрын

    Prison labor is state sanctioned slavery

  • @leontorkelson6246

    @leontorkelson6246

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@introprospector The Offenders volunteered for that program. Early release, shave 1-2 years off their sentence. But they had to complete the program.

  • @camcarb3
    @camcarb33 жыл бұрын

    This channel is one of the only places I feel surrounded by kin. "Two tramps In Mud Time" is posted on the wall next to me, been subbed to Buckin' Billy Ray for a while, and spent some time this weekend splitting up maple blocks in between remodeling my bathroom. It's time for me to go ahead and order an Essential Craftsman wearable...or two.

  • @anuronironworks6164
    @anuronironworks61643 жыл бұрын

    We heat our house with wood and I've been able to split all the wood we burned this winter. It's great work! Nothing quite as satisfying as a piece of maple blowing apart like you dynamited it!

  • @ensleywyatt3957
    @ensleywyatt39572 жыл бұрын

    I grew up with my grandpa...parents were always there just was better off with my gramps...used to spend all summer and fall cutting and splitting wood and obviously in the blowing snow 10 15 degrees...before school every morning. I loved it...it gave me the work ethic I have now. I used to get so excited when he backed in the dump truck ready to be split or when we went and got a few truck loads every weekend ready to be split. Never bothered me to spend my days after school splitting wood. Don't do it no more caise we have electric heat. Wish my son could know the same joy I did growing up.

  • @fadetounforgiven
    @fadetounforgiven3 жыл бұрын

    Right on time. I was given a tractor trailer of eucalyptus logs and branches last week. I've cut all of the branches and some of the logs with the chainsaw. I have to finish that and then the splitting should begin. However, eucalyptus is a bit harder to split compared to ash, so when I cut them with the chainsaw they are about half or so as long as your logs seem to be. Also, they're not going to a chimney or so, they have to get into the fireplace and that also dictates its maximum possible length. By the way, I don't tend to try and split them in half unless their diameter is small enough, I'd rather go kind of around the border, as if I were peeling the log all around, not just taking the bark away but some of the wood with every hit of the axe (yep, that's what I have, that's what I use). Not my case this time, but I remember having to splitt logs that were nearly 1 meter (3 feet) wide, and trying to split them through the middle is quite hard, and if it's already dry, even harder. Thank you!

  • @LukeA_55
    @LukeA_553 жыл бұрын

    I fell in love with an axe last year when everything went downhill with covid. I had some things happen that really got at me, so one day during quarantine I decided to sharpen my grandpa's ax and start cutting down the dead trees in our woods. I cut down about 10, good sized, ash trees. It really was a good way to deal with my frustrations

  • @richw9205
    @richw92053 жыл бұрын

    Both my parents were educators so summer breaks were a big deal. We lived in the ever so pleasant world of western AZ (Lake Havasu area). Except in the summer that is. Summer months were insane. Nate can attest. In fact you could almost ALWAYS add 5 degrees to whatever temps you’d find in the Phx metropolitan area. 115 in Mesa? You could nearly rest assured it was 120+ in our tiny little town. So when school got out we’d hightail it to northern UT and raid Grandma and Grandpa’s house for nearly the duration of the break. It was FANTASTIC! Point of my story, Grandpa was big on recycling aluminum cans. He had a wood splitting apparatus that I swear weighed 20 lbs. With the metal handle sticking straight up in the air and your dominant hand resting right where the handle met with the tool and your off hand adding support further up the handle you would raise that 20 lb, piece of pizza shaped, monster straight in the air and smash one can after the other. We got paid by half, each, of what the yield was from the recycling yard so the more cans we smashed the more $$ we got. My brother and I could do about a can a second. Smashed and bagged between the 2 of us. Grandpa taught us the value of hard work and completing a task. Yes there was a reward at the end but the magnitude of that reward was contingent on how hard we worked and on how much we got done. Much like you and your fire wood, Scott, smashing cans brings brings back the same sentiment for me. My Grandpa passed away about 8 yrs ago. Nearly never a day goes by that I do not think of that man. I miss him dearly. In my adult years he was my first go to when I needed advise on something. Thanks for sharing this story and keep up the good work. You guys are the best!!

  • @kjklsa
    @kjklsa3 жыл бұрын

    This brings me back to my childhood! I split Doug fir and green madrone every summer for the winter.. That’s some southern Oregon living!

  • @johnhunter273
    @johnhunter2733 жыл бұрын

    Knocking em down like a boss! Nothing better than a stack of fresh splits. Keep up the good work!

  • @vanuren3345
    @vanuren33453 жыл бұрын

    Scott, you are a machine. Even in my youth I could not split wood like you do. Now, being 13 years your senior I wouldn’t even try & thus I buy cord wood already split. You’re amazing.

  • @Dicer328
    @Dicer3283 жыл бұрын

    What a legend. Once he got slammin' I just couldn't stop grinning.

  • @lancemcque1459
    @lancemcque14593 жыл бұрын

    Holy cow! You went through those blocks like a BOSS!!

  • @johnpoffenbaugh7172
    @johnpoffenbaugh71723 жыл бұрын

    Buckin Billy Ray told us to check out your fine channel. He is right. Nice job. I am 70 and also enjoy splitting firewood with my single bit. A great feeling of accomplishment busting that wood. Now to put a new handle in my mail. Thanks for what you do.

  • @dangates2266
    @dangates22663 жыл бұрын

    When I was a young warthog, my brother and I used to split 40 face cords a year to heat my grandparents' farmhouse. It was mostly sugar maple, with a little oak, elm and ash mixed in. One thing that really helps is cold! We would cut in February (dad on the saw, grandpa supervising) and split and pile right away so it would season over the summer. -20 C really helps them split! And, as Henry Ford said, wood heats you twice. When you split it and when you burn it.

  • @k9elli
    @k9elli3 жыл бұрын

    I just split a cord of poplar that dropped in the ice storm last month- it was so strait and green, I split some of the rounds with my hatchet and the rest with a 4lb flat head! Cheers from Turner, OR

  • @michaelzera9361
    @michaelzera9361 Жыл бұрын

    Great video - very informative. You're a beast at 61! Thank you for the tips!

  • @dannyderamus3524
    @dannyderamus35243 жыл бұрын

    I love the sound of a good swing and splitting wood block.

  • @dume
    @dume7 ай бұрын

    when I was a kid I lived with my grandparents and I always helped them with walls, animals or wood... they had a huge sledgehammer for breaking rocks or for forging and that's all I 'had..' I built up my muscles with it then finally as a teenager I was entitled to have a real "merlin" to split wood. For very heavy duty I use a huge sledgehammer with a piece of steel I drive in... I don't know how the name in English ... I love your videos and you me think of my late grand father who was a great man.

  • @AndyColglazier
    @AndyColglazier3 жыл бұрын

    Nice. I wish we had more straight-grained wood at our disposal, but mostly we have live oak. A knotty nightmare.

  • @matteberry58
    @matteberry582 жыл бұрын

    They're are thousands of young men that can't hold a candle to your strength and more importantly your work ethic. I'll be 63 in 4 months and I can't hold a candle you sir. Blessings and keep up the great work.

  • @davesalzer3220
    @davesalzer32203 жыл бұрын

    Buckin is the most positive, loving man on KZread. Great video here sir.

  • @HogshooterHotrods
    @HogshooterHotrods3 жыл бұрын

    Lots of memories with my grandpa and some wood splitting, he could pick the tree that would split better, tell you where it would fall and be able to cut it into the most usable pieces. I did manage to retain some of his lessons, and you my friend brought back some fond memories. Great job and good to see a 63 year old bustin wood!

  • @samuelpayne8275
    @samuelpayne82756 ай бұрын

    “I’m 63.” We’ll I’m 25, and you make splitting wood look easy. I use a 4.5lb splitting axe, it is the best combo of speed and power for me… love the video, thanks! Sam

  • @dereksstuff8395
    @dereksstuff83953 жыл бұрын

    I absolutely love this. It's exactly how I do it these days. Buckin has got it too!

  • @andrewc7369
    @andrewc73693 жыл бұрын

    Just read "Norweigian Wood" all about firewood, cutting ,splitting and burning in Scandinavia. Great read.

  • @DAVESLINGER
    @DAVESLINGER3 жыл бұрын

    Greetings from the Buckin Army. Love and kindness to you.

  • @daviddeupree7707
    @daviddeupree77073 жыл бұрын

    Yes sir. Mr Smith can swing an axe 🪓 I love his channel and and what he stands for. Great guy. Thanks for the cool video and all the best from Northern California

  • @Jay_Ira
    @Jay_Ira6 ай бұрын

    You make it look easy viejo, thanks for all the great videos you put out. I'll go get some experience chopping wood so I can pass it down to my nephew.

  • @ericbengtson3490
    @ericbengtson34903 жыл бұрын

    Yes. You do learn to love cutting and splitting wood because you must. It keeps you warm 2 times. God bless.

  • @jamesfarnham1976
    @jamesfarnham19763 жыл бұрын

    When I think back about all the wood that I've split over the years and all the little tricks and nuances that I've learned, it's so pleasing to hear someone describe a few of those as you just did. Work smarter and then work harder....good honest work for sure. We always said wood warms you at least twice! Lol

  • @Trancefreakeh
    @Trancefreakeh3 жыл бұрын

    A colleague used to say "chopping gives you thrice the heat: once from the actual chopping, once from the actual burning, and once from the ladies gratitude. I tried, but found no much use in chopping air for my heatpump...

  • @appalachianoperator
    @appalachianoperator3 жыл бұрын

    Man splitting and stacking wood is my jam

  • @shovelhead3280
    @shovelhead32807 ай бұрын

    I used to hate splitting logs as a child. But, having done it now as a 29 year old man for my parent's fireplace, I found I really actually love it. This video was great

  • @Mikeyavelli
    @Mikeyavelli Жыл бұрын

    I did this for the first time today and really enjoyed it. We've got a lot of wood to get through, so I'm quite excited to test these tips out

  • @rasmusdanborg7803
    @rasmusdanborg78033 жыл бұрын

    'Hey Dad? Why don't we make a video about splitting logs, where you do all the work and I keep all the firewood; wouldn't that just be great? 😄' - Love the channel, keep it up! 🤙 Kind regards from Denmark 🇩🇰

  • @terryhatton3622
    @terryhatton36222 жыл бұрын

    I enjoy your videos the have so much meaning for the craftsman . You reach out and touch people in their heart the people that has had a great country life, working with metal, wood, leather your not afraid to keep learning. Thank you sir for being the person you are. People learn from you everyday.

  • @buggs9950
    @buggs99503 жыл бұрын

    I haven't seen any of your videos for a while, not sure why to be honest. But watching this reminded me of how calming I find your approach to life. Splitting wood can be so good, though I reckon one in twenty of the logs I end up with splits as easily as those!

  • @ryanmaitland1230
    @ryanmaitland12303 жыл бұрын

    Right up until I got my Eagle Scout I would always just go off right outside the camp and split all the firewood we would need over the weekend/week. My favorite memories from my childhood were spend, that maul and I just doing our thing. Great video!

  • @stantheman5163
    @stantheman51633 жыл бұрын

    I need to get a splitting maul. I have a pile of cut logs from various fallen and cut trees on my property. Lots of work to do before next winter. Haven't burned wood in the fireplaces for a few years, but recent power outages and free wood makes it appealing for the next cold spell.

  • @ronburke
    @ronburke3 жыл бұрын

    Happy Easter and a shout out to you from Buckin Billy Ray and the Buckin Army!

  • @davidz2950
    @davidz29503 жыл бұрын

    Scott, thanks for the tips and the efforts. I also am 63 and love the manly excitement of logging. Cutting wood, splitting, and stacking. I now cut wood for my neighbors also. Just to do it. Love your show.

  • @dcrog69
    @dcrog693 жыл бұрын

    I like the trick of putting the wood in an old tire to keep them upright for multiple splitting.

  • @chrismachado193
    @chrismachado1933 жыл бұрын

    Pure golden content Mr. Nate & Scott. Happy Easter to you and the whole family. Appreciate all the work you guys do and share

  • @hutchdw77
    @hutchdw773 жыл бұрын

    Brings tears to my eyes. Felling, hauling, splitting, stacking, shuttling, and burning firewood defined my childhood.

  • @oldschooljack3479
    @oldschooljack34793 жыл бұрын

    People just don't understand how enjoyable a truckload of Ash rounds is to split. When the picture panned back and showed Scott standing in front of all those Ash rounds, a smile crossed my face.

  • @steveuible5915
    @steveuible59153 жыл бұрын

    I was impressed how you are able to hit the same spot on every swing. That is experience ! We often had wood that didn’t split well so we used a wedge more often than not. Not fun when you have to use a wedge and sledge hammer. Thanks for another great video !!

  • @Neenerella333

    @Neenerella333

    Жыл бұрын

    I'm 53 and am just learning this year. I have been using a wedge, because my lovely neighbor cut the stumps with a lot of angles. I'm getting it done, but it's taking a bit longer than this guy. 😄

  • @redscortgt93
    @redscortgt933 жыл бұрын

    Nice shout out to good ole Buckin’ Billy Ray! Thanks for the content.