Splitting firewood, comparison locust sycamore hickory 

'It's my hatchet: I can do what I want with it.' Well done Tom!

Awesome work, old man! I hope to have the same energy than you when I reach your age! I'm talking with respect! Thank you for let us watch this.

As difficult as Sycamore is to split across the center, it's really easy to knock edges off. Each year's growth spirals around the stem across the previous year's. Making it sort of like plywood, but splitting along the rings, it pops apart easily.

With wood that likes to stick together after its been split I like to lift it (if possible) and drop one piece of it on my chopping block and they separate very easily. For rounds that are super heavy I use 2 pry bars that I have for my car. Great video

Hey there,a little safety advice, never hit a splitting maul with a sledge, the splitter can fragment and severely injure you. Use a wedge and sledge.

Try hornbeam if you get the chance. When it dries out, your maul just bounces off it. Its worth it because the wood puts out some serious heat. Better than white oak.

Legend

Hey Tom, have you ever tried using a Dogwood “glut” to split wood? Once the cracks are open about 3/8” or 1/2” from the metal wedges, insert the glut (the piece being split just can’t take that width & wedge action haha) and bang it with a hammer. Bye bye strings as wood pops apart! Old timers in E KY showed me that. Good job my friend!!👍

How long does it take black locust to cure out.

i thought you said kester sticking out

Hello Tom from Northern Virginia, Old School, Thats the way i split wood back in the 70,s. Just subscribed, check out our channel, we are a retired couple having fun with Firewood , Take Care and Stay Safe 🚜🪵👍🏼🇺🇸

An old man gave you the wedge… Are you a spring chicken in your parts?

When you say sycamore is that the same as sweet gum? Because it splits the same and burns like paper.

If only this man knew how to chip a round

Get a splitter.

Poor maul