AXE ONLY Tree Processing, Saw Free Firewood

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RE-UPLOADING, FIRST UPLOAD WAS MISSING JUST A FEW MINUTES. Processing firewood with an axe, felling, limbing, Lopping, bucking and chopping with commentary. Preparing wood for a video on splitting axe cut wood with an axe.
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Council Tool Boys Axe: amzn.to/3z0muqI
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All steps in the processing of firewood can be done with an axe. In this video, I fell a tree, limb it, lop off the smaller sections at the top, then buck the remaining trunk into sections for a wood splitting video I'm planning to do. The most lkely problem a skilled worker is to encounter is splitting large rounds of wood with an axe, or splitting long logs of large diameter, but even a small axe can be surprisingly effective for average log rounds.
Felling with an axe can be very dangerous depending on the circumstances. The front notch is cut first, about half way through the tree or so. The back cut is made higher by about 2 inches, which helps keep the log from kicking back as it falls. It behooves any would be well rounded axeist to learn to chop offhand, with their non-dominant side. There are may situations that one can find themselves in where doing so is either necessary, safer, or easier in some way.
Limbing is very dangerous and requires constant vigilance and adaptation by the axeman. Limbs are best cut flush to the trunk, or as close to flush as possible. Limb stubs left behind are an annoyance. They snag each other, clothing, and make stacking, loading, unloading and carrying more difficult. stubby trunks and rounds are the signs of a novice.
Lopping off pieces of a suspended trunk is a very efficient way to process the smaller wood at the top of a tree or a protruding limb, but it is very dangerous if some important strategies are not employed. You have to be able to hit the target for sure. You also have to understand how the axe might travel if it cuts through or the branch is missed, or the axe glances off in order to position the body safely. The direction of cut is also very important. The axe blade should be aimed and pushed away from where your body is, so that any accidents or slips are less likely to hurt you. If none of that makes any sense, I recommend not doing it until it starts to.
Bucking is fun with a sharp axe and reasonable skill. Accuracy and an effective strategy will reduce the number of cuts and the amount of energy needed.
splitting wood with an axe can be very effective. The next axe video will be about splitting axe cut wood with an axe. Strategy, reading the wood, and being constantly vigilant about your safety and the safety of your axe can yield very good results.

Опубликовано:

9 сен 2024

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Комментарии : 402

@kvnmhl 7 лет назад

I watched a 20 min video about a guy choppin wood and I have to admit I really liked it

@derekemrich2253 5 лет назад

almost as satisfying as doing it

@lumberjaxe8910 5 лет назад

Yes you get more than wood.

@123TauruZ321 4 года назад

I'm telling you, if you get into it, it is the best workout you could possibly think of.

@vlanza1999 3 года назад

Sounds like a Katy Perry song.

@ModernGentleman 3 года назад

No homo

@AshWont 4 года назад

15 year old here just bought my first axe and learning how to properly sharpen an axe and fell trees thus video taught me alot that i didnt know thank you sir

@SkillCult 4 года назад

Awesome. Be careful, those things are super dangerous. Watch more of my axe vids, I have a playlist ru-vid.com/group/PL60FnyEY-eJAb1sT8ZsayLWwFQ_p-Xvn7 and watch Ben Scott's channel too. Stay safe and don't try to cut down big trees until you know what you're doing.

@AshWont 4 года назад

@@SkillCult yes sir! Always play it safe and thanks again

@jacklasalle9575 2 года назад

Same except 22yrs, thanks👍

@blackychan8570 2 месяца назад

This is really what it's all about. He's gonna have a hobby or skill that will shape him into something better in the future. Just like it did when I started at 15😅

@KevinsDisobedience 2 года назад

Can’t help myself. I’m watching this for the fourth time. There’s something about this particular tree and the way you shot it that makes me not only want to go chop, but also watch you chop. But the mosquitoes buzzing next to the mic makes we glad I’m watching lol.

@SkillCult 2 года назад

lol, weird huh. Mosquitoes here are oddly polite. If you keep moving even a little, they don't bite and they almost always go to bed right after dark.

@moonlightfarmer 2 года назад

This tree is what I would describe as "crunchy". Very satisfying sound!

@tractorman4461 6 лет назад

Great control sir. When I was a kid, the old man wouldn't fire up the chainsaw for anything under 3"-4" in diameter. I too have spent countless hours limbing by hand, left or right. Its just something you learn from necessity. Those years are long behind now and I appreciate your sharing of your skill which I'm sure is foreign to many people.

@SkillCult 6 лет назад

Thank you. I'm getting better at limbing off hand, but I'm still a lot stronger with my dominant side. What kind of axes did you use. I like short axes for limbing because of the manueverability, but experienced hands look comfortable with larger axes, especially on larger trees, it seems to make more sense.

@tractorman4461 6 лет назад

SkillCult the only kind we knew were either double bit or pole axe. I'm thinking in the 3 1/2 pound range. I still have my dads old axe as well as my own, so I should go weigh them. He would mark 16" and 24" marks in the handle by driving in two small nails and cutting them flush then sanding smooth. Using the ax as a measuring stick to mark off logs in those increments. Holding one hand on the mark then elevate the bit and slightly scratch the bark and continue up the trunk. Sixteen for firewood and 24 for marking Saw logs for the old circular mill. Seldom were the pole axes used. To us any ax with a flat head on one side was a pole ax regardless of size. Unless it was a hatchet. Oddly I've found my weaker side for swinging an ax in my younger years has become my dominant and more powerful swing. Of course I do not swing one anymore with any frequency at all. Spoiled with a variety of chain saws, I am. Lol

@SkillCult 6 лет назад

Very interesting, thanks for the anecdotes.

@olddave4833 5 лет назад

the same when I was a kid, we got our first chain saw about 1950, a Mcculloch and it was just used for falling the tree and cutting the big stuff, all the trimming was done with axes and every thing under 4-5 inches was cut with an ax but our axes could cut a 5 inch piece in about two whacks. no TV then so we spent nights getting the equipment ready for the next day.

@AlCampo76 Год назад

I think I'm an axeist

@helgleypr770 3 года назад

9:54 When he runs reminds me when you steal something in a game and the NPC’s drop whatever they are doing to confront you.

@Rowdy216 7 лет назад

Sound of the mosquitoes in this video made me itch.

@usnhotcarl 7 лет назад

Yeah same here. I was watching with headphones on and kept swatting around my head!

@Crawlerjamie 6 лет назад

Rowdy Yates glad I’m not the only one....

@BeSatori 7 лет назад

Good call on the off-hand swinging. After watching your repetitive stress injury vid it was the only thing I could have added. I started working construction when I was 12 (my dad is a carpenter), and after turning my entire right hand into a blister on my first week as a laborer I was forced to work lefty more, which I realized was a good idea. I now make a point of not having an "off-hand" by trying to work both sides evenly with all my tools. It's very handy as a tree pruner, which I do all winter. I've found the trick to avoiding the awkwardness of it is to start the job with the off-hand rather than get used to your dominant hand and then switch it. Give it a try.

@BeSatori 7 лет назад

I'm curoius if after having had all this opportunity to watch your form on video, if you have any critiques of it?

@SkillCult 7 лет назад

That's a good sounding tip. I'm not very good at it usually. With the axe offhand chopping it still feels awkward most of the time, but I'm surprised at how well I usually do in spite of how it feels. I usually make the front cut with my good side. I've thought about chopping left handed only for a while, or alternating days. Felling is the hardest, but felling is always the least comfortable for me, because it's thing I do the least since you only have to do it once per tree v.s. multiple bucking cuts. I've had times with bucking and limbing where I had to think for a few seconds about whether I was using my dominant side or not. I should do it more though. This year I didn't do it enough. The left hand cordwood challenge, there's a next level ha! Accuracy could always be better, but it's not holding me up very much. Limbing could improve, again with the accuracy, mostly in awkward positions. I could relax more and there are certainly still physical inefficiencies. Overall though, most of that will improve on it's own with practice, and part of it is just attitude. I often start out with a little more frantic attitude than is sustainable, but you can't keep that up, so it naturally falls away by the end of processing a tree. If I were working for longer periods of time, I'd make a point to slow down a little bit more and maybe drive the axe a little less deep. I'd like the axe to stick less, but this wood is really sappy and sticky and the axe is sinking in pretty deep without a lot of effort. Strategy is a whole thing too though. There is strategy for limbing, like when to cut what, or will it be easier from the other side or when the log is rolled over. In bucking or felling, how much to overlap and what order to make the cuts in. I think if you took all of that stuff together, there is a significant amount of inefficiency going on, but I don't think it's huge. I'm not working very hard to sink the axe and my accuracy is pretty good, and those are probably most important and the rest can gradually be improved.

@LeadingPaws 5 дней назад

19:35 this is so unbelievably relatable 😂 having the patience to do all the work you’re doing, and then getting mad at the log for rolling back to you lol

@njc110381 2 года назад

I spent most of my life wondering how people managed to fell trees with the axes I was familiar with growing up. Most were blunt wedges with a handle, not much good for anything. This shows what a skilled woodsman with a good axe is capable of, probably how my grandfather would have done things. I'm now the proud owner of a few Gransfors axes, ground to cut really nicely. I still use a chainsaw at work but for my own firewood I prefer to use an axe. Thanks for the great videos. They've motivated me to learn how to do things the old fashioned way.

@someoneidk308 2 года назад

Our pecan tree let down a huge branch during a recent storm. It's been a hassle trying to chop it down small enough for our firepit! This video helped a lot. Also very satisfying.

@isaaccrockett6470 2 года назад

I'm indoors in the winter in the city and the constant mosquitoes flying made me itchy. Good video

@kevindorn2508 6 лет назад

before this i thought about buying a fancy modern saw for this purpose, now i want an axe!

@prioritytree 6 лет назад

I like your method of leaving branches on to hold the main trunk up in the air. Thats what I do when I use a chainsaw. I call them 'tripod branches'. I leave them on as long as possible to keep the wood off the ground.

@SkillCult 6 лет назад

It that case it's just what happened. You can see the tree is on the edge of the forest, so the branches are all on one side.

@joshuasarabjit 3 года назад

Those mosquitoes made me feel like I was right there. Thanks for the awesome videos throughout the years!

@Crawlerjamie 6 лет назад

13:00 just about put me to sleep. The ambient noise. Is just dandy. Love the woods. And the chopping is oddly enjoyable.

@themonsterunderyourbed9408 Год назад

You fall asleep with mosquitoes buzzing in your ears?

@thejerseyj9422 2 года назад

Your accuracy with those strike is impressive. I've been processing firewood for many years but I suck at using an axe. Time to put the saw down for a bit and get better with the axe. Thanks for the inspiration.

@SkillCult 2 года назад

Cool. You might check out the cordwood challenge page on Facebook. Stay safe :)

@peterperigrino1403 11 месяцев назад

I work with a friend of mine on tree jobs that he will need a ground guy while he climbs and limbs the tree on the way up. Well it's crazy to say when a customer will ask me why am I using an Axe while my chainsaw sits on the side lines. Yes granted the chainsaw is more efficient at times. While prefer the Axe to knock off the dime, nickel, an quarter size limbs I knock off the main branches that come down to me for processing. Holy smokes that's way to much thought into it. I'm sure there are plenty of you out there that just, Get It.... Dude thank you so much for posting these great videos. 💚👽💚

@user-bi7wy6qq2o 3 года назад

Thoose trees used on foundation building of wooden house, very wet resistant. Also some natural extracts against insects are made from that type of tree. And you want to chop off branches with the back of the ax if it is totally dry of it`s very cold outside to not harm favorite hatchet. Very usefull video, Sir!

@tikiduck 6 лет назад

A lot of people swear by bow saws but it seems that a sharp axe with a skilled user can get through wood just as quickly.

@SkillCult 6 лет назад

I've never made that comparison. I'd guess the saw would win, but a really good axeman might give them a run for their money. At a high pace, the saw may be more sustainable. There is an old finish logging competition where they use saws to buck into meter lengths, but the saws are finely tuned and a meter long. That could be because of wanting square ended logs without losing the chips too though.

@madmartigan8774 5 лет назад

The main advantage to a saw is you aren't losing any wood. I've heard old timers say they used to pick up the axe when they needed to rest from the crosscut saw. I have very little experience with large crosscut saws but apparently they will wear you out quicker than an axe.

@jscheffer9421 8 месяцев назад

I found an old chisel grind axehead in the mountains where my camp is. The scar on the back of my right hand taught me to respect that tool like no other. It cut me while lifting it out of the log. I let it drift sideways into the back of my hand. No force needed and it cut to the bone. Be aware %1000 where the blade is and where it could wind up. Treat it like a loaded gun. Think before you swing every time. If your axe doesn't scare you at some level, use a saw.

@xJETSxCAUSExRELAPSEx 7 лет назад

Since ive been usin that double bit, ive put a small hand axe on my belt for limbing. Helps give me a nice little rest while i limb before bucking. Also realized you look like Rob Zombie.

@SkillCult 7 лет назад

That's cool. Careful though, hand axes are more dangerous because of the short handle. Stay vigilant.

@JayKayKay7 6 лет назад

Watching this is like a time travel tour back to the days of yore. Calming..in a Viking sort of way.

@prattsgreenhousefarm9473 5 лет назад

You know as I watch this video for a second time. I gotta think that we as a society are in too big of a hurry. Just pull a cord and instant results. Most people today are too lazy for this. But wow how satisfying when you get good at it. As usual a great Video Stephen

@SkillCult 5 лет назад

I have the same disease. Short attention span and entitled to have things go fast. I notice that I fell into it immediately when I pick up power tools. I will often end up doing a sloppier job though with power tools because I get focused on the end instead of chilling out and doing things at a reasonable pace.

@prattsgreenhousefarm9473 5 лет назад

SkillCult I know what you mean. 2 years ago I built an add on to a kennel I had built for my daughters. It was just a 10x12 room but I chose to do it completely with hand tools. It sure was a different experience for sure a little slower and a little harder but I really enjoyed the peacefulness of the entire project. These things will also make you use your noggin a bit. Thanks Stephen keep up the good work.

@cavelvlan25 Год назад

All imma say is you do NOT wanna fight your great grandpa. They were a different breed. Harvesting firewood with a chain saw is labor intensive to me. I can't imagine chopping a tree down, limping the tree, chopping to logs, hauling, splitting. Stacking. With a fucking axe.

@SkillCult Год назад

One thing I learned doing it a lot is that it's not as much physical work as you would expect. It's a lot, and it's more than a chainsaw, but it's not epic if you become efficient at it. What it is though is slow. It takes a lot of time spent and patience. But yeah, great gramps was probably bad ass lol. Way more testosterone than we have now too. guess what raises your testosterone? Splitting wood lol. According to some study someone did of variouus activities, splitting wood was tops.

@cavelvlan25 Год назад

@@SkillCult no shit! I apprechiate the information. May explain why I enjoy doing it so much. Iv split wood since I could swing a sledge/maul (as we rarely have straight grained woods). Kinda odd I crave the labor sometimes. Another perk is you sleep like a log. Very rewarding in many ways.

@cavelvlan25 Год назад

Sidenote I do have a 12 ton hydraulic and a centrifugal splitter (I think that's what they're called).

@123TauruZ321 4 года назад

Hey again .. just wanted to write, i bought an axe with about 0.9-1 kg weight (that's about 2 pounds), like you suggested, and i have to say it is much better to work with. It's also very very sharp. Also bought a diamond sharpener which is very good to work with. I work more like you do now :D The videos i uploaded was with the heavy axe, that was very heavy to work with in comparison ... I may use it some times to get heavy training. But it's much more fun to use a lighter and sharp axe. Done a lot of workout the last half year now and i am in much better shape. Very fun work too! Being out in nature working with wood. Beautiful it is. And this video inspired me, so thank you for that :) Hope you're alright!

@SkillCult 4 года назад

That's awesome. Yes, the joys of a light axe! Look for a 2.25 to 2.75 lb next and try that on a 28 inch handle.

@123TauruZ321 4 года назад

@@SkillCult That's just what I thought! Thanks for the confirmation.

@mygmail6579 2 года назад

Thank you very much for this video! Not only was it enjoyable and relaxing to watch. I love doing this kind of stuff with my dad so it brings back memories But your comments are very usefull! Ive learned quite a bit!

@G-man45444 Год назад

Great video..... I use a one man cross cut saw to buck my wood. Those chips are great kindling too

@jackieeastom8758 2 года назад

Watching your work is almost as enjoyable as doing it myself. Thank you for the great content.

@CliffStamp 4 года назад

I have been doing left hand work recently, started four weeks ago, felt like I had never cut anything in my life. Totally awkward, I had to learn how to do it all over again, didn't even know how to grip, swing, release - felt awkward, humbling. If that was your first time switching, kind of impressive.

@SkillCult 4 года назад

Oh no, not first time, but if you dont' make yourself do it, you never get good unless working in the woods enough to need it frequently. I do sometimes find myself chopping away now with my off side and not noticing, but usually it's still a little awkward. I'm usually surprised that I do better than it feels like I'm going to do.

@josephbXIX Год назад

just fell my first tree today, a small eucaliptus (15 ish meters tall) i plan on propagating in an agroforestry project. busted a callus and didnt even felt it until i saw the axe with blood in the handle. Now, watching another one of your videos, i understand that my technique was wrong, but hey, living and learning. thanks for the great content

@josephbXIX Год назад

oh, and for smaller branches i really like to use a machete, seems to be working fairly well. i also realize my axe is like a meter tall so im considering cutting the handle (im 168/5'6 so yeah, a shorter axe seems like a good idea)

@MrTarek1946 3 года назад

Mosquitos or not you are a great , no- nonsense straight to the point calm gentleman I respect and like you a lot

@rmcdaniel423 2 года назад

At 5:00 Just gently sets the axe down and it sticks like a magnet. Now I need to search for your "how to sharpen an axe" video. You've clearly got that skill figured out.

@SkillCult 2 года назад

A lot of that is about the thinness of the grind, v.s. the actual fine grind on the edge. but both :)

@x220rulz 5 лет назад

crazy how addictive buying old axes and axe heads and putting handles in them...im up to 8 so far...lol

@ultraali453 7 месяцев назад

That was an excellent demonstration.

@Luke_Likes_Lakes 3 года назад

"get out of my way.. Log dude." really made the whole video for me

@fredflintstone6163 Год назад

Clearing the area beforehand great safety move and nice big chips 😁🤠

@SkillCult Год назад

Yes, gotta check the work area. I caught a clothesline once with a splitting maul and that put the fear in me.

@judyofthewoods 3 года назад

Someone who knows how to swing an axe! It always amazes me how many people hold it only by the end instead of sliding one hand up when bringing up the axe before sliding it down on the stroke. So much easier. I tend to use a mix of axe and bow saw, using the saw for the horizontal cut where an axe is harder (cross-grain), and use the axe for taking out the chips on the diagonal (axe is better at splitting with the grain). When the tree is too big for the length of the saw and for it to go in far enough for the rear cut I cut it beaver-style - reducing the diameter on the sided and back. I also use the saw for snedding as the axe is harder on the joints for that. The horizontal cut at the base is still hard work with the saw, so I will try that with the axe as well. One amazing method I've seen for larger trees is to leave a thin wall in the middle of the back cut and towards the end you cut a hole on the tree side and insert wedges for the final push. A bit fiddly, but worth it for safety, especially if you don't have ropes or a winch or anything suitable to nachor them to, or simply belt and braces. But lol, I'm a 64 year old girl who still can't throw a ball.

@SkillCult 3 года назад

I've seen that trigger wood method. More people are using it with chainsaws now too, by boring a hole through the tree and leaving just a little hinge at the back to be cut when all the other cuts are set up. But more for leaners and trees that might barberchair. most of my trees have enough lean that I can put them about where I want without resorting to wedges. I rarely have to wedge anything. Hey, there's still time to become a quarterback! ;)

@123TauruZ321 3 года назад

This should have so much more views. So informal, informational and inspirational.

@WeinsEarp 8 месяцев назад

Hello, very nice instructional video. I have learned a lot.Thank you!

@SkillCult 8 месяцев назад

thanks. stay safe.

@JoeBob79569 3 года назад

I just use an axe to split blocks for firewood, but I've got to say it's really satisfying when you move past the "clumsy" stage. It's like you're no longer trying to lift and forcibly manoeuvre a big heavy scary weapon, and instead you're just kind of flicking a tool with minimal effort and maximum effect. The only thing that trips me up is sometimes when I'm splitting a small block, I overthink it and try to aim too precisely. I stare at the little block really hard, concentrate on it, wiggle my butt like a cat about to pounce, and then I totally miss the target..

@SkillCult 3 года назад

There is much to be said for being loose, physical flow and getting out of your own way mentally. Of course we can just overthink that too ha ha.

@elemental4rce 5 лет назад

the sound of the mosquitos genuinely made me itch

@marodriguezsr 6 лет назад

I'm in the process of thinning out & pruning my trees for this year. One tree had a branch growing out near the base of the tree i had to chop off. I had to chop half of it using my left swing & it turned out ok. I am right handed but will continue to train my left hand to lead as well. Thanks again for all or your videos & advise. Oh for that tree I used that poly handle axe that lives outside. I cleaned her up & touched up the edge for this year. I will soon make a video on my few humble cutting tools that I use. - Marco

@johnworawan9495 6 лет назад

please do it in 1 hours version or more. and just record all of process. i need to listen this sound for relaxation. and after i find in youtube for a while. no one do this thing before. so, why u do not create the first of this. hope u do it soon. please.

@SkillCult 6 лет назад

I've heard that quite a few times. Thinking of some ideas along those lines.

@SuperFasterMaster 6 лет назад

Just found and really appreciate the channel, it's great. I was actually just about to put this video on a seperate screen in an effort to unglue my eyeballs from youtube and so I could get some work done. After John's comment I tried listening to simply the audio and damn, it's truly perfect. Like rain, crackling fire or cafe sounds the clarity and simplicity of you cutting that tree translate incredibly well to the imagination. Just like how simpson episodes work on the radio without missing anything, I could picture everything you were doing In short I believe in a series of pure audio clips with a nice picture of the type of tree which is being cut and processed on youtube or soundcloud. The amount of people that listen to these types of soundtracks while working nowadays is unreal. I've worked in companies where more than half the people would have some type of ambient soundtrack they constantly go to. I can only imagine the feeling that someone droning away at a computer job would get when they've been listening along and suddenly the tree begins to crackle and falls. Perfect

@pkdiddy 4 года назад

This dude is a chopping beast!

@tp5401 6 лет назад

i smacked my own face while watching this video... missed the damned mosquito though

@Moostery 5 лет назад

I finally found what amounts to my dream axe after a few years of searching for $5. First flea market of the year and I come home with a beautiful double bit collins 3.5lb axe. It just needed a bit of TLC. Handle needed some scraping sanding and oiling, the bits had to be reprofiled and properly sharpened, and the head was loose so it needed a new wedge. I don't have much of my own land but I'm going to try and find someone willing to let me chop down some trees so I can take a swing at this cordwood challenge. Ohh. And it's all thanks to you so keep up the good shit.

@SkillCult 5 лет назад

Nice. Most forests in most of the world are messy second or third or fourth growth and could use some tending, so people should want you to get in there are do some work, but most don't know that. Good luck finding a wood lot. I'd approach people with a tending mindset, like you are there to ultimately affect forest health and safety. Usually that can be the case.

@bfdadventure 6 лет назад

You are an inspiration. Thank you for all your videos and teaching.

@SkillCult 6 лет назад

Thanks bud.

@demastust.2277 3 года назад

I really like hearing your axe whoosh through the air. That's awesome.

@davidbarclay3651 7 лет назад

I'm reading The Axe Book. It's actually pretty funny. I had to go back to some of your chopping videos to see how you stand out of the way. Thank you.

@SkillCult 7 лет назад

It's really a great book. Lots of real insight. His humor is amusing. Kind of dry and gently sarcastic.

@donscottvansandt4139 Год назад

Great video! I've noticed a lot of variation in advice about bucking/chopping... kinda like sharpening... I think it comes down a lot to what works for each individual... I say this with not much chopping experience! Lol but I have been using knives all my life and cutting wood... mostly with a chainsaw. But I'm learning and getting stronger... for me it's about using my body to be the machine... and fitness...I'm still very slow but that's OK with me. It truly is about the journey to me .

@TrollDragomir 7 лет назад

16:31 Itsy bitsy spider... OH SHIT I'M OUTTA HERE Awesome video, it's always great to watch someone who can work efficiently. I intend to try the cordwood challenge as soon as I have that much wood to cut up, the chainsaw noise is driving me nuts. Speaking of nutty noises - those mosquitoes made me itchy while watching :P

@SkillCult 7 лет назад

Cool, I hope you can do it sometime. It's really fun.

@malJohann 3 года назад

Casually watching random dudes processing wood again. Your captions were tops bro! 👍🏻👍🏻

@dirktomkins4567 Год назад

18:42 Chuckles. While working hard a person does a lot of thinking and sometimes it's funny shit. Mostly the thinking is about burning a friend or foe to a crisp. Lol.

@mvblitzyo 6 лет назад

your explanation of a 6 year was spot on, Ive tried opposite chopping a few times now LOL awkwerd is VERY true LOL .

@SkillCult 6 лет назад

Yeah, it feels real weird. What I noticed is that even though it feels super awkward, I'm often surprised at how well I do regardless.

@mvblitzyo 6 лет назад

SkillCult your a skilled man I take a couple swings n get frustrated , but I’m not one for giving up. 👍🏼

@itllkeal Год назад

Nice to see someone limb a tree in the right direction. Chainsaws limb better in the opposite direction

@cha-ka8671 2 года назад

Remember our forefathers cut on average 10 cords this way their entire life. For heat, cooking, and to deforest for farms and build homes. We’ve came a long way.

@GFD472 7 лет назад

Your accuracy landing that ax is impressive!

@SkillCult 7 лет назад

Yeah, I'm doing pretty good. Still room for improvement, but nothing that is slowing me down a whole lot.

@ForemanMade 3 года назад

18:36 me when a random thought of something funny I saw in the past comes up while I'm doing something else

@americanfortruth Месяц назад

If I didn't want it there I would have pulled it out when it was a foot high. What about the scrap when it dries, will it be a fire hazard or use as kindling to start the fireplace?

@markluke8447 7 месяцев назад

You are good, nice video.

@shermanhofacker4428 3 года назад

Chopping wood instead of sawing may seem to create a lot of waste, but the chips burn also!

@javanbybee4822 3 года назад

Great kindeling!

@SkillCult 3 года назад

I actually made a whole video on the chips, just because it comes up so often lol.

@viarnay 2 года назад

You can split reality with that axe Jezuzchrist what a sharpen axe

@mauser8515 4 года назад

I love the madman laugh during the last few sections. I've done the same thing. Pure axe therapy right there. Way to keep the reaper at bay. Cheers Axe man!

@SkillCult 4 года назад

Yeah, well I live alone in the mountains, am a total introvert and have a twisted sense of humor :) so that happens quite a bit ha ha.

@ecorevurbanfarms5366 3 года назад

good rhythm and swing, nice one,......

@batmanacw 7 лет назад

Great video. The tree came down really nicely with good control. Some of the limbing cuts looked a bit sloppy but they were not. Good control. The axe is sharp and cut deep. Over all very well done! I couldn't see the edge to tell how it is. It was sticking a bit for sure. I never get to chop fir or pine.

@SkillCult 7 лет назад

I did a completely flat grind from the eye to about 1/8 inch from the edge to start with. it's also flat side to side I started with a flat ground bevel and slowly rounded it out by sharpening over time to slightly convex. I don't think rounding the bevel has really changed how much it sticks. I imagine that sticking is largely due to that large flat surface on the cheek making for a lot of contact. I just wanted to start with that flat all the way across as a reference point. I'll probably leave it the way it is and grind something else differently so I can compare them later. The fir can be a bit stringy, like some of this was, but even in cleaner chipping woods this grind is pretty much useless for throwing chips. It sticks pretty bad in oak too, but it's definitely worse in this pitchy fir. A couple minutes after you cut it, it's already bleeding out drops of pitch on the end grain. it does cut really deep though, which is satisfying, and it's great for limbing. I have a bunch of council boy's axes here and the forest service version on the way, so I'll probably just keep setting them up different so I can eventually do side by side comparisons in various woods. Not sure how much chopping I'll get to do this summer though. There's lots of chainsaw work around here that really needs doing.

@batmanacw 7 лет назад

SkillCult this is where the higher centerline of a vintage axe can come in handy. Then you don't have full contact and you still get the deep cut.

@SkillCult 7 лет назад

I have a couple of those around too.

@tsizzle 4 года назад

Mosquito sounds was very fitting... it added a certain amount to tension to the video! 👍

@johnweide8822 4 года назад

I found this video very informative however it has me itching..kept thinking what is landing on me....Makes me glad there is a Northern Michigan winter ...no mosquitos !!

@SkillCult 4 года назад

Ha, but I bet your summer mosquitoes are way worse than ours. west coast skeeters are very polite. It cools off at night most areas, and they go to bed early. during the day it's mostly the shady spots and if you keep moving, you barely get bit.

@cmygamelife 3 года назад

Thank you. No one would teach me. Think im going to get use to chopping wood but wanted to see how to side swing

@SkillCult 3 года назад

Consider joining the axe cordwood challenge page on face book. Only practical axe skills. Also watch ben scott, owen Jarvis and kevin kevech on youtube. Stay safe.

@johnryan1292 2 года назад

the old norsemen used to use axes and adzes to do almost everything which is just insane to me, i feel like this skill has seriously been lost to us, which is a shame because knowing how to do something like that is empowering as fuck

@jamesjohnson6239 5 лет назад

GREAT video ,GREAT job with the ax! The skeeters had me scratching though LOL

@jayknot88 3 года назад

Boys feel plenty awkward their first time trying to throw a football. No need to single out girls on that one :D Love the video. Thanks for sharing your well-earned knowledge Also, what are the specs on that axe? Handle length and head weight, specifically?

@KarlEller 2 года назад

I'm pretty sure he's talked about it in other videos. I can't remember the brand, but it's a 2 1/4 lb head on I'm pretty sure a 28" handle.

@loadeddog8015 7 лет назад

good job fella, .....Totally enjoyed it...... crikey you weren't joking about the mosquitos.

@SkillCult 7 лет назад

thanks man.

@cdub2529 2 года назад

I'm from Florida and those mosquito sounds make we want to swat by my ears

@ZeeFrankensteel 5 лет назад

Of course faster with a chainsaw, but limbing with an axe is pure meditation when you do it well. Somewhat sharp axe, good technique. If limbing frustrates you, read on how to do it or better, have someone teach you. It's basically common sense but some people learn it in 2 minutes by themselves and others need hands on teaching. After meditation , the real sport starts...bucking! I prefer with chainsaw to save wood but sometimes buck with an axe for pure fun. Obviously when not in a hurry or for professional intentions!

@SkillCult 5 лет назад

I love bucking logs. To me it's the most zoned in axetivity. Limbing strategy is easy enough, but getting comfortable enough with the tool to be efficient and accurate, not so much.

@johnwolf1475 3 года назад

No skeeters at the holiday inn!

@SkillCult 3 года назад

No trees niether :)

@Alex-uo4qq 7 лет назад

It'd be really cool if you did a video on your life story or your background. And also one about how you handle income. Anyways I know that's personal stuff but I figured it doesn't hurt to make a request.

@SkillCult 7 лет назад

I'll probably do something like that soon.

@grimterrapin3987 5 лет назад

Your axe must be pretty well sharpened

@SkillCult 5 лет назад

It's not just the actual edge, but the area right behind the edge is thinned down a lot so there is not much resistance.

@gregorymosher5008 4 года назад

Flat ground. The flatter the grind the better for felling and limbung? I always just sharpened a heavy axe for felling and let my son limb with a hatchet or Swedish brush axe

@SkillCult 4 года назад

Flat grind cut's like a beast.

@trueinsider513 4 года назад

3:50 i actually reached my ear with my right hand 😂😂

@SkillCult 4 года назад

They swarm on the camera when it heats up.

@trueinsider513 4 года назад

@@SkillCult Still great video, thankss

@godsdice911 Год назад

Hard work

@Fahimkhanwtc5980 5 месяцев назад

গাছ কাটা কুড়াল ভিডিও খুব ভালো লাগলো

@garyrussell5419 7 лет назад

That's some good axe skills.

@lukepac371 7 лет назад

Your an inspiration!!! Keep it up!!!

@SkillCult 7 лет назад

Thank you, I will.

@srugel44 7 лет назад

this is the greatest video I have ever seen on the origins of baseball. seriously. I never understood why a sweet swing impressed people, but when you consider that Abner Doubleday commanded men in the Civil War, men who used the ax daily and for vast engineering projects under the duress of war - brilliant. now I have to go watch Ken Burns' documentary "Baseball" and see if he puts that together as the origin of baseball. If not, I'm gonna call him a dummy and refer him to your video. ha. I love this video. Sweet swing, man, Ruthian.

@SkillCult 7 лет назад

I was joking with someone about playing axe baseball, scored on how deep the cut. Home runs for cutting the ball in half. Maybe played with green softwood balls...

@jamess.829 6 лет назад

Peaceful. Kind of therapeutic.

@426superbee4 Год назад

He hee i swear i had a pine tree that got up to 60' tall over night. I don't even remember even mowing around it

@shahriariran44 4 года назад

That axe is a true chopper.

@SkillCult 4 года назад

It's just about getting enough of the cheek off so that there is not too much interference. Most axes need a lot of reshaping to cut very well.

@shahriariran44 4 года назад

@@SkillCult your right almost no tool out of the box is what you want, you have to tune them somewhat to your preferences. ❤

@sethmullins8346 3 года назад

What weight axe was that? It looks like a camp axe or boys axe rather than a full felling axe

@SkillCult 3 года назад

2.25lb, the common boy's axe. Here is my basic take on them. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-fegvhRWLomY.html

@jim1550 4 года назад

Do you ever worry about catching debris to your eyeballs? 16:34 Run daddy longlegs!

@SkillCult 4 года назад

Yes. It does happen. I've been hit on the eye or close. It would definitely be safer to wear eye protection.

@jim1550 4 года назад

@@SkillCult It's one of those weird things we are OK with in the US I think. Lose 1/2 a leg or whole leg they've got a prosthetic that will work near 90% OEM. Lose an eye? Here's a piece of glass that doesn't move just so you don't have to wear a patch with no more depth perception.

@wolfking2281 4 года назад

That axe is seriously hungry for some wood !

@123TauruZ321 4 года назад

How heavy is the axe? Just bought a new one meant for chopping which is 7 pound 15 ounce, with a longer handle too. The first one i bought was a splitting axe, a little lighter. Hope i can get through those spruce trees better with the new axe. It is very clear you have the practice and knowhow to make this very efficient... i spend much longer time. But it is a damn good workout.

@SkillCult 4 года назад

If the axe is ground right, with good technique it is not a horrible amount of brutal work, but a nice light aerobic. Heavy axes cut deep but you have to lift them over and over. this is 2.25 lb head. I like about 2.5 to 2.75, but they are less common and this is fine. 7 is a lot of axe to lift and not very maneuverable for limbing and general handling. try out a small short axe. I think about 2.5 to 3lb with a 28 inch handle is a good sort of non-specialized, all purpose axe for most work, excpept a lot of splitting or chopping big trees, which most of us don't do much.

@123TauruZ321 4 года назад

@@SkillCult I see! Thank you for the detailed information!! I'll see how it goes the next weeks with this heavy axe.

@123TauruZ321 4 года назад

@@SkillCult I tried the new 7 pound cutting/chopping axe today, it really cut deep and did the job well. As you wrote, it is heavy, but i get a good workout ^^ But for these 40-50 cm logs, it really makes headway. But in time, i will look for a lighter one, as you mention. Getting it super sharp will probably make a difference too. I can't belive the size on the pieces you chop off with that light axe. Another thing i did different, is i cut the tree off the root so it lay on the ground. I didn't think of that. I was trying to cut through the entire log one piece at a time. I rewatched your technique about cutting in from 2 sides, and that worked so much better ^^ I can't believe how much faster that is. I probably have to go in from 3 sides though, since the log is so thick. But that is much quicker than trying to go through the whole thing. I also see you cut at a big angle, maybe 45 degrees. I'm gonna have to work on that. I cut much straighter, which probably gives less effect over time. I am wasting many swings. Very inspiring video, thanks for making it!

@123TauruZ321 4 года назад

@@SkillCult Just took the time to upload 3 videos from what i'm currently doing ... video 3 is close-up. Would really like to hear your opinions. Video 1: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Qe6mgGG1DQs.html Video 3: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-9OyTnOtIju4.html

@payday316 6 лет назад

I notice that axe it's biting into everything very good pretty awsome must be a very sharp axe

@SkillCult 6 лет назад

It's the grind. very flat, thin down close to the edge. It was sticking a lot in this fir, but it was also very pitchy, so I'm not sure how much that was the grind or that tree. It seemed to do okay in hard woods.

@SkillCult 6 лет назад

It was probably a weak grind, but it really did bite like mad.

@thejerseyj9422 2 года назад

I can here those suckers buzzing around. Nothing disturbs me more than that high pitched buzz of thousands of mosquitoes flying around looking for a patch of skin.

@edricheson 2 года назад

I’ll tell ya, a saw is a lot quieter if you had to stay discreet. Less calories used. I like the reliability of an axe though

@Tome4kkkk 7 лет назад

It's really impressive how you are able to hit the log twice on the very same line in a row. I'm about to experiment with asymmetric flat ground bevels. The reason is I need my carpenter's axe to be able to hold the edge when I do need to do some log processing. Initially I intend to turn the existing 30 deg total bevel into a 15+25 deg bevel. Any comments on that?

@SkillCult 7 лет назад

I still consider my accuracy so-so, but it has improved a lot and good enough most of the time. At least when bucking. I'm not sure what you mean exactly by asymmetric flat bevels.

@SimeonKelly 7 лет назад

I know this is off subject but given that you've talked about having Lyme disease and the reported upswing in new tick borne illnesses, and where I'm from pine trees are "known" to harbor a shit load of ticks, what measures do you take to try to prevent ticks? Thanks for your time. Greatly enjoy the videos.

@timobreumelhof88 4 года назад

Nice :-) You are obviously much more experienced than I am, but I once did the most part of chopping down a tree sitting on my knees (not the last part obviously) and I found that a much more comfortable position. But I guess it's a bit unconventional... ;-)

@SkillCult 4 года назад

you can get used to the low chopping standing up. I'm not too concerned about making level cuts on small trees, so that makes it a lot easier. It is a little awkward, but the more I do it, the easier it gets.

@brandonframe1743 4 года назад

A pair of leather cowhide gloves can help with the stickiness problem

@mohdzaudikhasni8829 4 года назад

You have a good skill using axe sir. I'm very scared playing axe. Only parang i processing wood for fire making. Greeting from Malaysia 🇲🇾🇲🇾🇲🇾

@SkillCult 4 года назад

Yes, they are very dangerous. but so is the Parang and Machete until we learn to use them. All of them should be scary :)

@cosmicbilly 3 года назад

Hey bro! What is the worst injury you've got from using an axe?? Recently just had a glance hit my foot and needed stiches. Lucky i have strong wrists so it wasn't that bad. When i got home with my stiches i went outside and finished my bucking and splitting. Lol!

@SkillCult 3 года назад

Bummer :( Worst were both hatchets. One I just chopped my thumb, almost the first time I used a hatchet for anything except splitting kindling. Never did that again. second was unsheathing a deadly sharp hatchet me friend made me for the first time. it's was just a super clumsy sheath. No other cuts or injuries I can recall. Just some bruised shins from flying wood shrapnel when splitting with a maul. If anyone chops long enough, they will probably get some injury though. Stay safe!