How to Split Wood with Axes and Mauls Like a Pro: Hardwood, Softwood, Safety, Wedges

Just discovered your channel, and it's a fab resource. Keep up the good work! For someone who's new to splitting wood, and is looking at Husqvarna axes for splitting 300-400mm green oak logs, would you recommend the A2400 or S2800?

Excellent video very helpful, i like the way you explained to stand where the axe cannot deflect and hit your leg and feet

Great video, thanks. What boots are those?

I have a small (1x2ft) sheet of 1/2" chipboard to split on- saves a lot on my axe since the log pile was dumped on a concrete floor.

Also I kinda throw my axe up sideways with one hand close to the axe head, and then while its circling I slide the hand over the axe handle and make that all one fluent motion. It requires practice and sometimes it fails but it saves energy

I prefer longer handle and a good weight

I didn't see any hickory

Ben, Mate magic Vid, as an old Bloke now, lots of knowledge I could have used 40 years back. :)

Excellent advice greatly appreciated I split a ton of elm it sucks🤣

Nice work! Talent for sure. I've been spitting firewood here in the Northeast US for about 20 yrs (using mauls) and have come to a number of similar conclusions. I do at times use an alternating cyclic swing and "body spin" technique to vary movements/avoid overly repetitive motion, but your method clearly works beautifully as well...

A few yrs ago I was splitting cordwood at our ski club. We were amazed that just myself splitting and two ladies bringing more and carting split wood away were able to out stack TWO teams of men using large horsepower gas splitters (3 men per team). We avoided gnarly pieces of course. I was not trying to hurry, in fact I was mostly focused on being calm and aware of those around me, not swinging in an arc that might endanger anyone if my head flew off (hasn't happened yet but theoretically possible) or it slipped from my grip (also never observed). Many folks were remarking how elegant it looked. I attribute it to what you said: minimal effort/movement helps ensure efficient splitting, sustained for hours without exhaustion. Glad you're sharing professional insights. This is satisfying work somehow. Zen like...

Log splitter might be coming for your job, watch out!

Fantastic video, lots of great info. I wish i'd watched your videos before buying my axe but looks like I got the wrong tool for the job! still going to enjoy putting it to work!

Great vid and you are clearly in good shape .Maybe think about a kinetic splitter to at least break the rounds for you mate just to take some of the strain off your body in years to come ....it does catch up with you in time 🙂.Thanks for posting.

Awesome hair
Awesome video
Useful for the amateur and the pro

? Gettting in any Fiskars X27 splitting axes and Fiskars XL Splitting mauls ?
Highly recommend them
! And guaranteed for life !

Please don't hold a log you are splitting with your hand. My sister almost lost her finger that way.

WOW thanks, you taught me a lot and I’m way older than you, thank you so much. Old dogs can learn new tricks lol

Skillzzz and info !! Thanks

What were the blue axe?????

This is now the video I have saved to show all my friends and family how-to when it comes to wood splitting/chopping! Thanks dude!

Many ways to skin a cat.. I personally don’t care for ur methods. You swing like a girl.. a little sissy lahlah 🎉

Thanks!

Pros spread their legs when they chop, so if you miss, the axe swings between your legs.
Your legs are basically together.
A miss standing like that, would catch your shin.

Great video 💯💯

Now try it woth oak.

Based on recommendations, i bought the Fiskars X27. Its 36" long, I see the Hus A2400 is only 27". IMO, its not the panacea, as advertised. Any comments or comparisons?

Best splitting video on the internet, hands down…

Husqvarna must sponsor this man! You should all be giving this man a standing ovation. the best product review videos on the Internet are when seasoned veterans immerse the viewers within an in-depth safety, instructional video. It amplifies the product miles above, compared to somebody, using the entirety of their product review video trying to verbally convince the viewers to buy a product.

When I was a kid we burned wood and had to split it. Dad would say, boy this will make a man out of you. Did not like it back then, love it now. My body hate me for it.

I use a section of log to split on. I rarely split it directly on the ground.

you are amazing

I like the advice around 21 mins about splitting horizontally. Saves any chainsaw work

The beginning of this video I would have chopped my hand off.
You make splitting wood look like cutting paper with scissors...when I split wood it looks like a crime scene with wood chips everywhere.
Great video, I picked up some good tips here. Thanks again for the detailed wood splitting knowledge.

Really helpful thanks

Hey man this was a great video, as someone whos been struggling with extremely knotted live oak and fir i definitely got some great tips from this. Also has me rethinking the axes ill be using.

Excellent video
Do you use a pickaroon?

Been axe-spliting wood for years in our household, but didn't pay too much attention to my technique until saw this video. This was very helpful and informative for me. No doubt this will make my work easier and safer. Great and honest video. Thank you.

Ok

Great video ben!!!

Can you tell me if it's possible to chop wood ACROSS it or against the grain with an axe (when the wood is say...15" diameter/thick)

Hi from Portland Oregon

Hey Ben, can you swing by and split some Maple wood for me? I could only split three of the eight rounds with my axe. I tried using my maul and wedges with no luck. If ammo was not so expensive I would pull my AR15 💥🔫 to make room for a wedge! 🙁

Cuantas hachas tienes?

Excellent video! The info here is very useful and practical.

Not a fan of double bits for splitting at all. The small advantage in certain circumstances is outweighed by the increase in danger to my way of thinking., Great video all in all.

That is an absolutely brilliant video Ben, full of great footage and great wisdom and experience. Great slo-mo's of the famous Flick method too! Thanks!

NEVER hold a piece of wood ANYWHERE and bring a blade down!!
Use a 'kindling cracker' or use a small piece of wood to steady the piece you're splitting. Safety first, not speed.

you need a splittin stohler

I have the same mindset as you. I prefer to split most green. Split it as soon as it's been bucked up, stack it and leave it breath till winter. I like your channel man.

Excellent info thanks Ben.
Great demo and explanations. What axe is lighter one with wooden handle ?
I am looking for a lighter axe with a wooden handle .

What are your thoughts on wood grenades?