Wooly, I don't want to sound condescending, but I want to offer a splitting tip. A trick if you will allow me. When you have the axe/maul stuck in a substantial piece you can fairly well pickup, you can invert it, and you now drop the axe head first onto the block, this now utilizes the woods own weight and inertia, vs. the weight of the axe...try it
Thanks, I did not know about the Hultafors model you showed us, I would consider getting one as it is long and that Sycamore was dry yet very tough and you both did well ! You have a good swing technique. I would suggest you barbell deadlift (start with a good trainer) to complement your axe exercises and to engage your hips more as you fall into the squat position on the down swing, thats the proper Swedish technique of splitting heavy wood (I am 50:50 Irish & Swedish) so a mix of the best two worlds IMO. I just lifted 120Kg for 80 reps and it did very little to me, that's after not deadlifting for 18 months (too long a deadlift holiday) when at my max of 200Kg x5, now ramping back up to that goal. Deadlifting & wood processing create mental straight and dexterity and you see the world more clearly after these activities, and remember to plant trees as beautiful Ireland is strangely lacking in them for no known reason ?
thanks man, a great comment. your right i need more dead lifts. i used to be heavy into kettlebells at one stage, it really improves your wood splitting. Ireland is a green desert as far as i can see, to much farm land
I have a lot of Shagbark Hickory...that is some extremely tough wood to split. I have a lot of Red/White Oak, Cherry and some other good types of hardwood so luckily I'm not dealing with mostly Hickory 😅 Swear to God even a 5-6" piece of that stuff can be difficult for a Fiskars X27. An equivalent sized piece of Red Oak for example literally takes like a "boop" with the same axe 🙄
I believe the best way is to have your own axe and make a wooden handel.I usually make it too long and I start splitting...adjusting the handel by cutting from it small pieces till it gets optimal for me.
Buddy, that 28” is already too long of a handle based on your height. If you cant hold the handle up to your shoulder and grasp the handle right before the head with your arm outstretched…then it is too long. If your 6’2 you coukd go with a 31”, 6’4 and above would be the only people swining a 35”. You look petite like 5’8, you dont need a longer handle
I have a splitter too. But there are logs which the splitter does not handle and the maul or axe does. Usually, those logs need one split then go to the splitter. It is nice to have both. Enjoyed this video. Thanks!
Ive been using the Husky S2800 recently, and personally find it too short for its head weight, and it crikey, does it get stuck in the wood A LOT! From your video, its seems you've been getting it stuck too...!
@@WoolysWorld lol, me too in that case! I think its larger blade contributes to the sticking as it bites more wood before it pops it, and it REALLY doesn't seem to like dried rounds. Yep, an 80cm handle would make a big difference to the balance, or even 85/90cm. On the plus side though, it seems to transmit far fewer vibrations from its plastic handle than the FibreComp on the Fiskars X27. The Fiskars is very "pingy", and not in a good way, but I find it splits far better...
Still recommend the Maul? Husqvarna is selling the same maul, labeled as Husqvarna for a very nice price. Like the looking... But I am totally new to wood splitting action
John, we have 2 splitters, one hydraulic and one kinetic, and have actually started splitting with the axe, where the tree lies, for the very reason of saving time. No need to carry the rounds to the splitter, then stack them onto the heap. With the axe, they go straight on the heap, and the time saving in less handling is huge! There will still be some really gnarly knotty bits that the hydraulic splitter still gets used for, but the key is minimising handling. Plus splitting with the axe is a doddle in freshly cut wood, and its pleasant doing it in the woods! Even the 40 ton hydraulic splitter struggles and pings on some dry rounds of knotty Elm or beech if they've sat for too long!
I have the husqvarna 2800, I do wish the shaft was a bit longer and head a bit lighter. The husky is made in Germany by Gardena, they sell the exact same one in their own brand..its a light blue if i remember correctly. Your vids are good craic!
Wooly, I don't want to sound condescending, but I want to offer a splitting tip. A trick if you will allow me. When you have the axe/maul stuck in a substantial piece you can fairly well pickup, you can invert it, and you now drop the axe head first onto the block, this now utilizes the woods own weight and inertia, vs. the weight of the axe...try it
I know what you mean man, thanks
Cheers buddy
Thanks, I did not know about the Hultafors model you showed us, I would consider getting one as it is long and that Sycamore was dry yet very tough and you both did well ! You have a good swing technique. I would suggest you barbell deadlift (start with a good trainer) to complement your axe exercises and to engage your hips more as you fall into the squat position on the down swing, thats the proper Swedish technique of splitting heavy wood (I am 50:50 Irish & Swedish) so a mix of the best two worlds IMO. I just lifted 120Kg for 80 reps and it did very little to me, that's after not deadlifting for 18 months (too long a deadlift holiday) when at my max of 200Kg x5, now ramping back up to that goal. Deadlifting & wood processing create mental straight and dexterity and you see the world more clearly after these activities, and remember to plant trees as beautiful Ireland is strangely lacking in them for no known reason ?
thanks man, a great comment. your right i need more dead lifts. i used to be heavy into kettlebells at one stage, it really improves your wood splitting. Ireland is a green desert as far as i can see, to much farm land
Gee tnx I’m going to look for a wood splitting trainer so I have a clue how to do a simple job. Some people haha
always liked the feel of the wood handle ( also find it absorbs more vibration before it gets to ya )
Agreed, looks the business to
Bruce for the win! 🤣
Always
Man that sycamore reminds me of this American Holly that I have. Damn near impossible to hand split and even gave my Wolfe Ridge hell.
I have a lot of Shagbark Hickory...that is some extremely tough wood to split. I have a lot of Red/White Oak, Cherry and some other good types of hardwood so luckily I'm not dealing with mostly Hickory 😅 Swear to God even a 5-6" piece of that stuff can be difficult for a Fiskars X27. An equivalent sized piece of Red Oak for example literally takes like a "boop" with the same axe 🙄
Some serious wood out there
I believe the best way is to have your own axe and make a wooden handel.I usually make it too long and I start splitting...adjusting the handel by cutting from it small pieces till it gets optimal for me.
Brilliant
You need to split half and half on the edge of the wood, preferably on a concrete, level surface,you are going too far into the wood,
Glad ye picked Bruce. Old school all the way. That other one is fugly as hell
Lol, you just don't like it because it's a husky
Nice video Yust get a blonde wig
A blonde wig?
The longer handle,will create,more energy in your swing, also the level,where the point of contact,is important,
Wood/Trees in Ireland? I thought that you guys just had grass, moss, and peat there :). Nice video, the Hultafors appeared to perform better, indeed.
Pretty much!
Be realistic man! They also have rocks and shamrocks...
Lol
Still swinging Wooly, do it while you can, one day those axes will swing you!
Lolo, that day gets closer and closer
@@WoolysWorld that is why I got a splitter 😂😅😂😅
Nice job god bless
Thanks John
Buddy, that 28” is already too long of a handle based on your height. If you cant hold the handle up to your shoulder and grasp the handle right before the head with your arm outstretched…then it is too long. If your 6’2 you coukd go with a 31”, 6’4 and above would be the only people swining a 35”. You look petite like 5’8, you dont need a longer handle
But I like a longer handle
This is why I have a wood splitter
Lucky
I have a splitter too. But there are logs which the splitter does not handle and the maul or axe does. Usually, those logs need one split then go to the splitter. It is nice to have both.
Enjoyed this video. Thanks!
Cheers Dan
Ive been using the Husky S2800 recently, and personally find it too short for its head weight, and it crikey, does it get stuck in the wood A LOT! From your video, its seems you've been getting it stuck too...!
sometimes, but i have a habit of making things look hard
4 inches extra on the handle would be great
@@WoolysWorld lol, me too in that case! I think its larger blade contributes to the sticking as it bites more wood before it pops it, and it REALLY doesn't seem to like dried rounds.
Yep, an 80cm handle would make a big difference to the balance, or even 85/90cm. On the plus side though, it seems to transmit far fewer vibrations from its plastic handle than the FibreComp on the Fiskars X27. The Fiskars is very "pingy", and not in a good way, but I find it splits far better...
It depends on the wood I find
Nice.😆 mate love it.👍 😆.💪
You know what I'm talking about, right ?
Cheers man
Yes I do, I've done it before, very effective
Still recommend the Maul?
Husqvarna is selling the same maul, labeled as Husqvarna for a very nice price. Like the looking... But I am totally new to wood splitting action
I recommend both these, both excellent
It is best to use the hydraulic wood spliter.personaly i wouldn't waste the time or fuel.
I enjoy using the axe
John, we have 2 splitters, one hydraulic and one kinetic, and have actually started splitting with the axe, where the tree lies, for the very reason of saving time. No need to carry the rounds to the splitter, then stack them onto the heap. With the axe, they go straight on the heap, and the time saving in less handling is huge! There will still be some really gnarly knotty bits that the hydraulic splitter still gets used for, but the key is minimising handling. Plus splitting with the axe is a doddle in freshly cut wood, and its pleasant doing it in the woods! Even the 40 ton hydraulic splitter struggles and pings on some dry rounds of knotty Elm or beech if they've sat for too long!
You keep doing your thing brother, awesome stuff
Cheers buddy
I have the husqvarna 2800, I do wish the shaft was a bit longer and head a bit lighter. The husky is made in Germany by Gardena, they sell the exact same one in their own brand..its a light blue if i remember correctly. Your vids are good craic!
Cheers Alan, I agree with the extra length but I love the weight
You seem really bad at hitting the same spot twice...
I am
I am just as bad, needing more target practice.
Lol, more swinging needed
Man o ma wallie u don't know how to split wood ..... guess everybody and anybody can make a video ....
Cheers buddy that's a lovely thing to say, have you watched any of my other wood splitting video?