Yup.. Should have specified, this Snow & Nealley would have a similar profile to the double you were using, at least from what I can tell from the pictures of it. Those old Maine Patterns fattened out pretty close to the bit.
Wood splitting with the Twist
- Thread starter Steve Tall
- Start date
Yup.. Should have specified, this Snow & Nealley would have a similar profile to the double you were using, at least from what I can tell from the pictures of it. Those old Maine Patterns fattened out pretty close to the bit.
I am rebuilding my woodstock ha ha and found some easy wood to practice on. Just thought I would share my experience
No pain but I didn't split for very long.
My first swing was crazy wide my second hit the block but I twisted to soon, my third swing made good contact and almost split the round.
After the initial attempts I started to get into the zone. Sometimes it doesn't split off but it sets up the round for a 3 way split.
I used a vintage craftsman michigan style single 3.5 lber and am starting to understand the technique a little more. Like you said it is different with different axes.
I like it because your bit doesn't dig into the block and you can use a lighter ax instead of a heavy splitter.
I am still in the learning stage but I am implementing this on smaller camp style splitting too it will save your edge.
viva la splitting with the twist :thumbup:
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Finally some people who like axes as much as I do!
I simpathize with you cattle dog we don't get to much call for wood shucking down here in North Carolina either. I can't wait to try this new method though, my neighbor and I split firewood all the time for camping and for his fireplace but we are a far cry from experts. Most of my real axe use has come during backpacking or hiking trips, but I've found that most often a tree and two good hands is all I need to make a fire. I'm buying either a small cruiser/forest axe to accompany me on my next couple of trips and see how that treats me, but I will definitely make a note to practice the twist before I head out.
If anyone is interested Ray Mears (UK traditional skills expert) also demonstrates this technique using what I believe to be a GB small forest axe.
On I side note I'd just like to thank both Woodsplitter and Sparrow for getting out and keeping these old traditions alive. I'm only 18 myself, and it's a rarity to find people who take the time to do things right anymore. I wish yall the best of luck with whatever your up to and look forward to hearing more from ya.
I simpathize with you cattle dog we don't get to much call for wood shucking down here in North Carolina either. I can't wait to try this new method though, my neighbor and I split firewood all the time for camping and for his fireplace but we are a far cry from experts. Most of my real axe use has come during backpacking or hiking trips, but I've found that most often a tree and two good hands is all I need to make a fire. I'm buying either a small cruiser/forest axe to accompany me on my next couple of trips and see how that treats me, but I will definitely make a note to practice the twist before I head out.
If anyone is interested Ray Mears (UK traditional skills expert) also demonstrates this technique using what I believe to be a GB small forest axe.
On I side note I'd just like to thank both Woodsplitter and Sparrow for getting out and keeping these old traditions alive. I'm only 18 myself, and it's a rarity to find people who take the time to do things right anymore. I wish yall the best of luck with whatever your up to and look forward to hearing more from ya.
Hey MC It sure is refreshing to hear the younger than me generation chime in on axe stuff. Sounds like you enjoy axe work. This place has lots of good info and like minded folks willing to share.
That ray Mears vid I watched before but it just didn't hit home like the longer version of the technique by Splitter Sparrow here.
Anyway thanks for posting and N.C. is my all time favorite state to visit I just love the Nanthahala mountains.
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x2 on that
i wish that i would have been into axes at a younger age... i just think sometimes, only if i had been collecting back then, god only knows what i might have today...
i use to go to flea markets all the time with my parents when i was a kid, im sure i walked right by hundreds of axes and didnt think a thing about it...
oh well... just need to make up for lost time
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I'm 19
And just picked up my first 2 axes, a single bit and a double bit kelly perfects, I have a lot of wood at our land waiting to be split from when we clear a decent size area out. I believe there is pine, oak, and a couple others, may even be some black walnut. Now I need to learn how to use this method
And just picked up my first 2 axes, a single bit and a double bit kelly perfects, I have a lot of wood at our land waiting to be split from when we clear a decent size area out. I believe there is pine, oak, and a couple others, may even be some black walnut. Now I need to learn how to use this method
Don't cut your toes off. I started back when I was like 14 or something. I remember thinking I was some hot tickets and then swinging an axe into my boot. Luckily nothing got cut (even the boots are still in service about 4 years later!), just a good wake up call. Be careful. Also, don't ever hand an axe to a young (or any age) friend without some careful forethought and a little instruction.
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I wear boots while I work too
I know about not handing it to younger people with out instruction
But, you are forgetting, you need to give instruction to anyone not experienced, even those older than uou
I know about not handing it to younger people with out instruction
But, you are forgetting, you need to give instruction to anyone not experienced, even those older than uou
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I wear boots while I work too
I know about not handing it to younger people with out instruction
But, you are forgetting, you need to give instruction to anyone not experienced, even those older than you
I know about not handing it to younger people with out instruction
But, you are forgetting, you need to give instruction to anyone not experienced, even those older than you
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Most of the time I am working with people who are much older than I am, most kids do not really care for the work involved unless you let them figure out that its actually quite enjoyable.
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This is true, I found out on my own when I was probably 15 or 16, I enjoy work, not always, but a lot of the time. I enjoy mainly when I am not forced to do something. If I am asked or I volunteer I find that I enjoy it
I also enjoy it when I can use my new tools (my axes), that unjust recently tool the rust off of and sharpened
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Ah, give crazyengineer a break... you must know that many teenagers don't learn proper English grammar these days. At least it wasn't all 'text talk'!
As for translating that, maybe it was meant to be something like "I also enjoy it when I can use my new tools (my axes), that I just recently took the rust off of and sharpened." Am I close?
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Damn autocorrect, I'm on my phone right now
Translation "that is until recently, I removed the rust from my 2 new axes
Translation "that is until recently, I removed the rust from my 2 new axes
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Yeah, go easy on the grammar and syntax fox paws or faux pas however the french spell it. His first paragraph was perfect so the second must have been a brain fart. We all feed our brains some beans now and then, that's OK, open the windows and move on.
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Sorry CE. I meant that in good humor but obviously it didn't come through. Admonishments accepted and apologies offered.
