Well said - the main thing is to be an active participant and to enjoy the ride. Sitting back hoping for some sort of manifestation of what is supposed to be perfect (whatever that may be anyway) is a waste. Get stuck in and go at it my son is what I say.
Gonna test a few axes... Shows 1 axe at the start, brings out the adirondack and completely forgets what he was gonna do enjoying himself with that axe. lol
When i was a teenager i watched some old man splitting wood with an axe and i had the idea to go ask him if he let me try , long story short i ended making him laugh the whole time but i managed to finish the job ...he actually even paid me some money , not for the work as he said but for the entertainment ...LOL . I think there is no need to mention that i couldn't even bend my fingers after that and i had blisters all over . And that was it , out of the blue there is someone who actually is looking for someone to split wood for him ...i got the job , after a while i regretted i went there ...LOL that didn't stopped me though , the harder the wood the more i loved it but i still had too much to learn apparently so i see that old guy who laughed at me and asked for his advice ... He said the same thing as you did , don't try to hammer it , go with it ! I love this kind of work because it makes me feel useful plus you get to work in nature !!!!
I've been splitting wood for 50 years and I still learned from this video. Never knew about that flip but I'm going to go out and practice it this afternoon.
Always amazes me how easy he makes it look. I’m sure the rest of the family think I’m nuts with the amount of tree felling videos I’m watching. That familiar zing of the chainsaw echoing through the house lol. You always feel good after watching Buckin Billy. Keep up the good work guys’n’girls.
Heck i own a splitter but i still end up doing quit a bit of hand splitting . Sometimes i only have a few minutes so its not worth getting out the splitter so i hand split .or maybee i can't get the splitter near the wood.
Curious as to if the years of the wrist and hand abuse that your getting from the flick technique will be more detrimental to the physical health your arms in the long run, versus having a axe head that sticks in and you need to leverage out? But not geting that quick jerking action through your tight grip. Guaranteed I can split that with a straight swing with a Fiskars even and not get the abuse on my arms. Remember, your only young yet. But i want to be able to swing an axe into my 60's. -911axe
That Adirondack is a beast Buckin! Neat idea. I split a ton of knotted up twisted Ponderosa down here in the Sierras. Big stuff. As you’ve said I’ve also found that you’ve got to read what the wood gives you. I’ve also found that when you find a knot that’s been sawed during bucking you can actually split it. You have to hit it right in the center but it’ll go with surprising regularity if you’re aim is good. Great stuff as always!
I forget where I read about them Tru Tempers(my favorites) with the phantom edges(I always called them fluted cheeks) were designed to help with the ejection of chips while felling. Teddy Roosevelt used them often on his excursions. Tru Trmpers are the best though. Being from Michigan, the old Timber Capital of the world. Made more money in Green Gold than anyone else, built the world for a period of time till we cut the land bare, my favorite pattern is the Michigan. I've got all but 2 are Michigans. Tru Temper 4pb double bit Woodslasher lable(still gots red paint in the stamp) a Tru Temper Flint Edge(i got cut by that one) and a Tru Temper Falls City lable with the fluted cheeks(was a 4lb but the poll was mashed so bad I had it ground down to a 3.5 on a 28 inch handle) and i also have a Tru Temper Vulcan 3lb double bit(a mean felling axe, thin, narrow bit. Sinks deep and sharp) and lastly a Gransfoes Bruks 2.5lb cruiser double bit on a 28 inch handle. That GB is a sweet little deal
I have a 40 odd year old 5# True Temper single bit axe with a 36 inch straight handle. It is a thick blade axe. It won’t cut crap but it sure will split it after you get it in rounds. It will wear you out but it does a good job. I split wood with a round on top of a round. I hat gettin my axe blade in the ground even more than getting one of my chains in the dirt because rocks can do a number on an axe blade. I thought you had learned your lesson about splitting wood without a helmet on😳
A man after my own heart here, a love of splitting wood, instant sub - got an axe put in my hand to split wood before I was big enough to swing it properly - So the flick came early for me as I hadn't the grip to hold on to it! Geometry of the head is important, but at a pinch a slim/sticky head can become a better splitter just by grinding the edge bevel to be less acute. The up/down question? If I have a piece that doesn't want to split, or I want to split right through a big knot - It goes upside down. Couldn't tell you why, but in hard splitting timber, I always have those rounds upside down.
I'm a big fan of the classic single bit American felling axe for it's ability to do just about anything... But I like a nice double bit too if the shape is right.
Just found this video and for what it's worth I have been hand splitting for 40 years and the oaks and hickory I cut they seem to split easier from the top down. But to each their own happy splitting my friend. Zelby
Hey Billy, I’m new to the channel and have watched quite a few videos so far, I love them. I watched your video on how to sharpen axes and did mine and It came out really nice. I spilt all my wood with It now over my maul. My question is, with going through about an hour or so to sharpen the axe really good why to you choose to split It on the ground and have the edge hit the gravel? I use A chop block and It definitely stops the axe from digging in the dirt and dulling. Is there a reason for not using one? Thanks, Harley
I don't ever subscribe to TH-cam channels like this. I mostly subscribe to gun or military channels but watching just three of this guys videos I am sold. Billy is a rare breed and a real man. Our younger generation can learn so much from this man. If you're a man that is raising a young teenager, you need to turn them onto his channel and have them learn from this guy. Turn them onto this guys channel and have them watch Pat McNamara's Basic Dude Stuff Videos. All men need to learn these skills. Guys are no longer real men and have no clue how to do the things that real should know how to do. Please stop letting our youth grow into these weak minded children that they are all becoming.
i'm sorry but this whole tirade is fucking ridiculous and the fact that you are a fan of avenged sevenfold makes it even more ridiculous... go listen to some more douchey emo shit while pretending to be a tough guy
I’ve never had firewood that looked that nice for splitting. I’ll be making my own axes soon. I have old forged heads. I want a short splitter for banging wedges primarily. There’s also a double bit that will get a full length handle for wall hanging and occasional proof of manhood. 😂
We have mauls where I’m from. All of our wood here is stringy knotty bastards. I have a splitter but every now and then I’ll swing to “keep myself in shape” lol
Man, I enjoy watching you split wood with easy efficiency about as much as I love splittin it myself. Big thanks to you for the schoolin' on technique.
This incredible bucker has probably upwards of 30 years experience just straight up buckin trees FOR A LIVING. In the north where trees grow like buds do in America. So by no means am I critiquing just analyzing the slow mo. When he says “flick” he’s actually swinging down with the head tilted slightly so when it connects, it pops sideways. Interesting technique. I’ll go break my wrists now trying to apply this on my property 😂
Brings me back to my younger days 8-15 yrs old splitting for fun. Good for the soul. No better heat than the wood stove, gets to the bones. Thankfull for havin ya around even though your 3000 miles away lol. Friends 👍👍 let the man know. Stay humble be kind even on a bad day and your bad days will become fewer. We all have a purpose on this earth choose a positive one.
I'd say easier...just go slightly angled soon has it hits..ease up on your grip..the weight of the axe ..more on a double bit..does the work...and less shock then a tight grip
Mmm Mmm Love Me A Double All Day Long ! How's every-1 doing today ? Great Job & Explanation there, Buckin' Love To All From The Maritimes Of The East Coast ! ATB T God Bless
He uses his axe like a cane because of his back lol. I think his back is just fine friends. I’ve been hand splitting for a while and this guy has a nice efficient swing. Presses up the axe and swings down rather than bringing it around in a 360 arc. That’s how to do it.
Hi. I also enjoy working-up our firewood. Since my husband's back has "gone out," he's unable to use a chainsaw or axe, and the log-splitter gets to him after just a few minutes. So it's all mine to do - and I love it! I'm even cutting and hauling wood for other folks now, and I'm 68, about 5'4," so I'm not very big. . . . I'm kinda surprised that you've never considered whether splitting wood right-side-up or upside-down is easier. I've discovered that most of mine (black walnut, honey locust, ash, spruce, whatever) splits easiest if I put it upside-down. . . . Yes, I've also discovered that splitting either away from, or right through the middle of a big knot, works better than trying to go just around, through all that gnarly wood. . . . My favorite axe is my (admittedly little) Fiskars splitting axe - it's sharp, slender, with a small wedge-shape built into it, and a flat back so I can hammer it through a wicked chunk with my maul or sledge. I like setting my chunks on a chopping block - I don't like sinking my blades into the dirt, and the block gives a nice solid base so the chunk doesn't sink into soft ground. I'm no Paul Bunyan, so I have to do what works best for me. I hate relying on a log-splitter - it's noisy, costs money for fuel & oil, and I can't readily take it with me wherever I go (the hitch is now busted, and the whole thing is heavy for me to wrestle on and off my truck hitch). I carry my Stihl Easy-2-Start 16" gas saw and my favorite axes in the truck a lot of the time, so I can work anywhere. (BTW, I LOVE this chainsaw!!! I've never been able to start and properly maintain a regular gas saw, and the two Lynxx cordless saws I bought at Harbor Freight run too slowly and the batteries run down too soon - I haven't touched them since I got this Stihl! The E2S has been in use for several months, but I've cut more wood with it than with any other saw in my whole life - it's EASY to start, run, and maintain with only my skrench and file. I've cut several cords of wood with it, and it's still running great. I do think I need to change the chain, though - it's wearing down, and I'm in the midst of two huge cutting projects, so I need all the help I can get from my equipment, and from anyone who wants to help! . . . Hafta get to work - thanks for the good video and great tips! I haven't used my double-bitted axe in YEARS, but that was my mom's favorite wood-weapon as a youngster, and she got to use mine a few years ago - she's almost 90 now, so her splitting days are done.
I keep about 3 different kinds of axes around me all the time . Cause most of my wood is Gnarly and Knotty . Plus i like to burn that Gnarly Crap! Burns slower and hotter. Than a pretty piece of firewood
Not sure how I found this/your video today but after watching I went out and chopped some old wood we had out back today for fist time in years. After feeling rusty for about 30 minutes suddenly it all came back to me and was all there - the overhead, the flick, the golf swing. Thank you "friend"...thank you I'm back into it again and feel like I earned tonight's beer and bonfire. Cheers.
Im in the northeast and i always use the splitting mall. Love the rumble.of your.old.truck she runs like a scared rabbit! ! God bless you bucking Billy !!!
Hey Billy new subs from Italy here, i really really enjoy what you doing, i mean not the "video" itself but your approach to life in general. So, after long lurking a quick question: here where i live it's not that easy to find double bit axe, just becuase the tradition it's more on the single bit side, and the "splitter" style are for most part maul or really heavy stuff, but i really like to use more light stuff. SO the question is, what about commercial axe? something that i can easily find and work fine? like fiskars or other more or less known brand for the job? thanks, atb Nic
Hay I'm from V.I. also. Duuuude been watching you fix and chop. Memory's meeeemorys hahaha thanks, you mind show casing some places you been too (understand about ur privacy, if not)
Hey man I'm really enjoying this video. Thanks for educating me. Do you think you could deep dive on your "flick" I'm not really understanding how you know when to twist your handle.
Hi, can I ask why you don’t stack the rounds on top of each other? I split on my gravel driveway and if I don’t have the round I’m splitting on top of another round the gravel destroys my axe’s edge. Thanks.
I have an 8 pound maul from harbor freight, straight fiberglass handle. The tip was way too stumpy to split well, so i ground it down shallower and sharper. It's actually not that bad, as long as the wood is dry. It's the oerfect length too, I've only overshot and banged it twice while learning. Splitting comes naturally! It's good enough while i save up for a ferarri axe!
I think what a lot miss is you're un-naturally strong, Billy Ray - it kinda ain't the axe.. I've a son like you - he looks normal, very polite, very personable - but he's stronger than a bull - so stuff he does looks easy. But it kinda ain't. :-)
too easy, you can look at the wood turn around and is split for you ....fuel up your truck and come to so-cal with your axe collection and try our eucalyptus or black acacia....with knots you will break your elbows so bad you will no longer be able to hoist a beer eh?...pine woods split voluntarily...all by themselves..try your axes and expertise on something knarly dude...requires utmost expertise..
Ya got to flick it. I'm busting some knarly white oak with a Tassie, I let a guy borrow it and he sharpened it to almost a knives edge. I wasn't to happy, but oh well. Stay safe and healthy.
Quite the eager beaver, Buckin! You would work circles around a lot of people my age and below. Most would have took a hour to find a log splitter instead of just getting to it. Great stuff, Buckin! Love the content no matter how is put up or what the topics are.
I've been splitting wood for years and want to invest in a better axe/handle. what would you recommend for a bit and handle? Im not a very big guy buy have a good swing, just need something that works good for hard, sometimes knotted wood. thanks
I’ve been splitting wood and cutting since I was 6 but all I was ever told was to at it you’ll learn 😂 watching you fall buck and split has taught and saved me so much time and effort also never knew there was such thing as a splitting axe all I ever seen or had was mauls really cool to learn from ya man
right tool for the person/environment/material/situation and versatility personally I lean towards versatility and portability which is leading me towards tke tomahawk medium size that is portable yet has some good strength behind the edge on axe should be good at cutting splitting is a secondary job should be light enough to be used single hand but long enough to go 2 hand
I think that the people inquiring about chopping the way it grows or not may have meant a 90° angle and attacking the bark instead of the end grain. I've never thought to do it that way but I do see people doing it that way sometimes...
why am i watching this guy split wood and why is he so good at it
yes.
Ah, yes.
Same....Good Guy
he is good at it because he has a lot of experience good technique and strength
I am wondering the same thing but if there is a zombie apocalypse I want this dude on my team!
The term “friend” is now my favourite. Your listening right friends?
Well ok friends
that's great advise to anyone "i don't need to go fast i need to enjoy myself"
Well said - the main thing is to be an active participant and to enjoy the ride. Sitting back hoping for some sort of manifestation of what is supposed to be perfect (whatever that may be anyway) is a waste. Get stuck in and go at it my son is what I say.
Watching you split wood has transformed the way I attack a wood pile. It's gone from a chore to pure enjoyment for me. Keep the videos comming.
He's like the Steve Irwin of splitting wood
Gonna test a few axes... Shows 1 axe at the start, brings out the adirondack and completely forgets what he was gonna do enjoying himself with that axe. lol
Bit disappointed about that. Was hoping to see different axes in action.
@@SeferGER You are basically on the wrong channel, if you need precise to the point reviews. This is Buckin' Billy Ray style.
When i was a teenager i watched some old man splitting wood with an axe and i had the idea to go ask him if he let me try , long story short i ended making him laugh the whole time but i managed to finish the job ...he actually even paid me some money , not for the work as he said but for the entertainment ...LOL . I think there is no need to mention that i couldn't even bend my fingers after that and i had blisters all over . And that was it , out of the blue there is someone who actually is looking for someone to split wood for him ...i got the job , after a while i regretted i went there ...LOL that didn't stopped me though , the harder the wood the more i loved it but i still had too much to learn apparently so i see that old guy who laughed at me and asked for his advice ... He said the same thing as you did , don't try to hammer it , go with it ! I love this kind of work because it makes me feel useful plus you get to work in nature !!!!
He was probably laughing at the way you were swinging the ax
Don't know if it's the Joe Strummer leg kick or the ax but that is the first time I have ever sceen wood run and try to hide
LOL epic comment
It's the flick!
I've been splitting wood for 50 years and I still learned from this video. Never knew about that flip but I'm going to go out and practice it this afternoon.
let us know how it went!
Just be careful it could maybe flick towards the leg
i got that flip accidantly but as i gripped the handle to strong i got hurt. greetings from germany and keep save
I saw a picture today of a Stihl chainsaw with a 3" bar, with the caption saying "When it's cold outside!" =)
Hahahahaha
😂😂😂😂
That’s when you need there heated handle model. Kinda sucks you can’t have that in the states.
Welcome newcomers love wins be kind
splitting firewood is a good way to exercise.
Always amazes me how easy he makes it look. I’m sure the rest of the family think I’m nuts with the amount of tree felling videos I’m watching. That familiar zing of the chainsaw echoing through the house lol. You always feel good after watching Buckin Billy. Keep up the good work guys’n’girls.
Because of you I’m going to start splitting wood during the winter, you’re inspiring!
You know when that right leg comes up, the wood goes down. Beast mode engaged! Keep up the good work, love the channel!
Knotty knotty knotty... those are some twisted sisters! The flick has saved me some serious hours in the last couple years. Buckin’ !!
Teach me the flick?
Heck i own a splitter but i still end up doing quit a bit of hand splitting . Sometimes i only have a few minutes so its not worth getting out the splitter so i hand split .or maybee i can't get the splitter near the wood.
The kindness he shows throughout the video is actually quite nice
💚🌲💚🌲💚🌲👍
Forget about trying to pick your favorite axe, we can tell you love them all.🤣🤣🤣
I love the sound of that truck!!! V8 power!!!!
This makes me want to chop wood... odd.
Just started this video, but I love the sound of that old truck!
That and the fact that he left the door wide open when he got out and the truck didn’t make a single annoying ding. Gotta love it.
Buckin' Billy Ray. The karate kid with an axe
Curious as to if the years of the wrist and hand abuse that your getting from the flick technique will be more detrimental to the physical health your arms in the long run, versus having a axe head that sticks in and you need to leverage out? But not geting that quick jerking action through your tight grip. Guaranteed I can split that with a straight swing with a Fiskars even and not get the abuse on my arms.
Remember, your only young yet. But i want to be able to swing an axe into my 60's.
-911axe
That Adirondack is a beast Buckin! Neat idea. I split a ton of knotted up twisted Ponderosa down here in the Sierras. Big stuff. As you’ve said I’ve also found that you’ve got to read what the wood gives you. I’ve also found that when you find a knot that’s been sawed during bucking you can actually split it. You have to hit it right in the center but it’ll go with surprising regularity if you’re aim is good. Great stuff as always!
I forget where I read about them Tru Tempers(my favorites) with the phantom edges(I always called them fluted cheeks) were designed to help with the ejection of chips while felling. Teddy Roosevelt used them often on his excursions.
Tru Trmpers are the best though. Being from Michigan, the old Timber Capital of the world. Made more money in Green Gold than anyone else, built the world for a period of time till we cut the land bare, my favorite pattern is the Michigan. I've got all but 2 are Michigans. Tru Temper 4pb double bit Woodslasher lable(still gots red paint in the stamp) a Tru Temper Flint Edge(i got cut by that one) and a Tru Temper Falls City lable with the fluted cheeks(was a 4lb but the poll was mashed so bad I had it ground down to a 3.5 on a 28 inch handle) and i also have a Tru Temper Vulcan 3lb double bit(a mean felling axe, thin, narrow bit. Sinks deep and sharp) and lastly a Gransfoes Bruks 2.5lb cruiser double bit on a 28 inch handle. That GB is a sweet little deal
Been splitting down under for 40 years. Good therapy!.
I really thought that Adirondack was more of a gimmicky wallhanger and that the handle would feel awkward but it sure splits like a beast!
I learned a lot from ol' Buckin.
That's a geometry lesson I can appreciate, that plumb is wicked!
Got some really knotty spruce to split. Thanks for the vid. Really enjoying your vids from Ireland
Plumbs Were Made to Spank Wood To Pieces For Sure
I usually split the way the wood grows! I love the Splittin’ vids!!! Big time!
I never heard that growth thing before. From my experience it splits just fine either way. As long as you’ve got a good axe and good technique
I've got a wood splitter, but I don't like the noise. Just as soon split manually.
I have a 40 odd year old 5# True Temper single bit axe with a 36 inch straight handle. It is a thick blade axe. It won’t cut crap but it sure will split it after you get it in rounds. It will wear you out but it does a good job. I split wood with a round on top of a round. I hat gettin my axe blade in the ground even more than getting one of my chains in the dirt because rocks can do a number on an axe blade. I thought you had learned your lesson about splitting wood without a helmet on😳
The Adirondack ax is stunning! I loved it before you swung it. It only got better after that.
A man after my own heart here, a love of splitting wood, instant sub - got an axe put in my hand to split wood before I was big enough to swing it properly - So the flick came early for me as I hadn't the grip to hold on to it! Geometry of the head is important, but at a pinch a slim/sticky head can become a better splitter just by grinding the edge bevel to be less acute.
The up/down question? If I have a piece that doesn't want to split, or I want to split right through a big knot - It goes upside down. Couldn't tell you why, but in hard splitting timber, I always have those rounds upside down.
Are we not going to talk about the fact that he was shifting gears with one hand and in the other he was holding a camera like it was nothing😂😭
I'm a big fan of the classic single bit American felling axe for it's ability to do just about anything... But I like a nice double bit too if the shape is right.
Just found this video and for what it's worth I have been hand splitting for 40 years and the oaks and hickory I cut they seem to split easier from the top down.
But to each their own happy splitting my friend. Zelby
Hey Billy, I’m new to the channel and have watched quite a few videos so far, I love them. I watched your video on how to sharpen axes and did mine and It came out really nice. I spilt all my wood with It now over my maul. My question is, with going through about an hour or so to sharpen the axe really good why to you choose to split It on the ground and have the edge hit the gravel? I use A chop block and It definitely stops the axe from digging in the dirt and dulling. Is there a reason for not using one? Thanks, Harley
I don't ever subscribe to TH-cam channels like this. I mostly subscribe to gun or military channels but watching just three of this guys videos I am sold. Billy is a rare breed and a real man. Our younger generation can learn so much from this man. If you're a man that is raising a young teenager, you need to turn them onto his channel and have them learn from this guy. Turn them onto this guys channel and have them watch Pat McNamara's Basic Dude Stuff Videos. All men need to learn these skills. Guys are no longer real men and have no clue how to do the things that real should know how to do. Please stop letting our youth grow into these weak minded children that they are all becoming.
i'm sorry but this whole tirade is fucking ridiculous and the fact that you are a fan of avenged sevenfold makes it even more ridiculous... go listen to some more douchey emo shit while pretending to be a tough guy
Love that axe splitting
I’ve never had firewood that looked that nice for splitting.
I’ll be making my own axes soon. I have old forged heads. I want a short splitter for banging wedges primarily. There’s also a double bit that will get a full length handle for wall hanging and occasional proof of manhood. 😂
Great tutorial! Thumbs up and subscribed.
welcome
Beautiful axe Brother
We have mauls where I’m from. All of our wood here is stringy knotty bastards. I have a splitter but every now and then I’ll swing to “keep myself in shape” lol
Almost first ❤️ Blessings
Man, I enjoy watching you split wood with easy efficiency about as much as I love splittin it myself. Big thanks to you for the schoolin' on technique.
This incredible bucker has probably upwards of 30 years experience just straight up buckin trees FOR A LIVING. In the north where trees grow like buds do in America. So by no means am I critiquing just analyzing the slow mo. When he says “flick” he’s actually swinging down with the head tilted slightly so when it connects, it pops sideways. Interesting technique.
I’ll go break my wrists now trying to apply this on my property 😂
Watching you handle an axe is a thing a Beauty brother !
Brings me back to my younger days 8-15 yrs old splitting for fun. Good for the soul. No better heat than the wood stove, gets to the bones. Thankfull for havin ya around even though your 3000 miles away lol. Friends 👍👍 let the man know. Stay humble be kind even on a bad day and your bad days will become fewer. We all have a purpose on this earth choose a positive one.
I dont know why but i always prefer double bit over single bit
do you like old things and are you interested in history and feel you were born 100 years to late lol ,, me too
@@BuckinBillyRaySmith yea actually i do feel like i was born in the wrong time period lol
@Buckin' Billy Ray would you sell me that double bit plum? Great video enjoy watching ya.
I'm happy to see that you're one of the friendly types. You are a good friend to have.
I try
Buckin' that Plumb Signature Double Bit is wicked! OMG I just love the geometry on her for splitting. Be safe and keep moving.
COPY THAT OL' ;BOY
Is the flick hard on the wrist?
I'd say easier...just go slightly angled soon has it hits..ease up on your grip..the weight of the axe ..more on a double bit..does the work...and less shock then a tight grip
Türkçe altyazı olsa daha iyi olurdu.
Mmm Mmm Love Me A Double All Day Long ! How's every-1 doing today ? Great Job & Explanation there, Buckin' Love To All From The Maritimes Of The East Coast ! ATB T God Bless
terry ol boy
He uses his axe like a cane because of his back lol. I think his back is just fine friends. I’ve been hand splitting for a while and this guy has a nice efficient swing. Presses up the axe and swings down rather than bringing it around in a 360 arc. That’s how to do it.
Hi. I also enjoy working-up our firewood. Since my husband's back has "gone out," he's unable to use a chainsaw or axe, and the log-splitter gets to him after just a few minutes. So it's all mine to do - and I love it! I'm even cutting and hauling wood for other folks now, and I'm 68, about 5'4," so I'm not very big. . . . I'm kinda surprised that you've never considered whether splitting wood right-side-up or upside-down is easier. I've discovered that most of mine (black walnut, honey locust, ash, spruce, whatever) splits easiest if I put it upside-down. . . . Yes, I've also discovered that splitting either away from, or right through the middle of a big knot, works better than trying to go just around, through all that gnarly wood. . . . My favorite axe is my (admittedly little) Fiskars splitting axe - it's sharp, slender, with a small wedge-shape built into it, and a flat back so I can hammer it through a wicked chunk with my maul or sledge. I like setting my chunks on a chopping block - I don't like sinking my blades into the dirt, and the block gives a nice solid base so the chunk doesn't sink into soft ground. I'm no Paul Bunyan, so I have to do what works best for me. I hate relying on a log-splitter - it's noisy, costs money for fuel & oil, and I can't readily take it with me wherever I go (the hitch is now busted, and the whole thing is heavy for me to wrestle on and off my truck hitch). I carry my Stihl Easy-2-Start 16" gas saw and my favorite axes in the truck a lot of the time, so I can work anywhere. (BTW, I LOVE this chainsaw!!! I've never been able to start and properly maintain a regular gas saw, and the two Lynxx cordless saws I bought at Harbor Freight run too slowly and the batteries run down too soon - I haven't touched them since I got this Stihl! The E2S has been in use for several months, but I've cut more wood with it than with any other saw in my whole life - it's EASY to start, run, and maintain with only my skrench and file. I've cut several cords of wood with it, and it's still running great. I do think I need to change the chain, though - it's wearing down, and I'm in the midst of two huge cutting projects, so I need all the help I can get from my equipment, and from anyone who wants to help! . . . Hafta get to work - thanks for the good video and great tips! I haven't used my double-bitted axe in YEARS, but that was my mom's favorite wood-weapon as a youngster, and she got to use mine a few years ago - she's almost 90 now, so her splitting days are done.
I keep about 3 different kinds of axes around me all the time . Cause most of my wood is Gnarly and Knotty . Plus i like to burn that Gnarly Crap! Burns slower and hotter. Than a pretty piece of firewood
Uh I've never used anything but a splitting maul to split wood.
🌲🌳🇺🇸🇨🇦🌲🌳
pov : u were born before videogames were a thing and u invested all the skillpoints IRL
I love splitting firewood but it's hotter than hell in South Florida and I'm dead tired after only splitting 1/4 of a chord of firewood
@buckinbillyraysmith do you have a video that explains the flick method?
Not sure how I found this/your video today but after watching I went out and chopped some old wood we had out back today for fist time in years. After feeling rusty for about 30 minutes suddenly it all came back to me and was all there - the overhead, the flick, the golf swing. Thank you "friend"...thank you I'm back into it again and feel like I earned tonight's beer and bonfire. Cheers.
Great axes, but i'm more impressed by Buckins conditioning, I swing an axe but I have to stop and recuperate much more frequently than Buckin
Yeah, I agree. He's a MACHINE.
Heck yeah choosing the right Axe 🪓⚒️🔨🪓⚒️🔨🪓
I start out with a big and heavy maul, then lighter mauls as i go. Then the double head axe for finish splitting
This looks like fun !!!!
Yea im gonna make an axe.
What kind of wood are you splitting? Looks like soft wood.
Im in the northeast and i always use the splitting mall. Love the rumble.of your.old.truck she runs like a scared rabbit! ! God bless you bucking Billy !!!
Hey Billy new subs from Italy here, i really really enjoy what you doing, i mean not the "video" itself but your approach to life in general. So, after long lurking a quick question: here where i live it's not that easy to find double bit axe, just becuase the tradition it's more on the single bit side, and the "splitter" style are for most part maul or really heavy stuff, but i really like to use more light stuff. SO the question is, what about commercial axe? something that i can easily find and work fine? like fiskars or other more or less known brand for the job? thanks, atb Nic
Hay I'm from V.I. also. Duuuude been watching you fix and chop. Memory's meeeemorys hahaha thanks, you mind show casing some places you been too (understand about ur privacy, if not)
Hey man I'm really enjoying this video. Thanks for educating me. Do you think you could deep dive on your "flick" I'm not really understanding how you know when to twist your handle.
Hi, can I ask why you don’t stack the rounds on top of each other? I split on my gravel driveway and if I don’t have the round I’m splitting on top of another round the gravel destroys my axe’s edge. Thanks.
I have an 8 pound maul from harbor freight, straight fiberglass handle. The tip was way too stumpy to split well, so i ground it down shallower and sharper. It's actually not that bad, as long as the wood is dry. It's the oerfect length too, I've only overshot and banged it twice while learning. Splitting comes naturally!
It's good enough while i save up for a ferarri axe!
Great video Buckin! You're right about the box store axes. Their main purpose is to sell and make the tool company money!
I think what a lot miss is you're un-naturally strong, Billy Ray - it kinda ain't the axe.. I've a son like you - he looks normal, very polite, very personable - but he's stronger than a bull - so stuff he does looks easy. But it kinda ain't. :-)
Yo Buckin
too easy, you can look at the wood turn around and is split for you ....fuel up your truck and come to so-cal with your axe collection and try
our eucalyptus or black acacia....with knots you will break your elbows so bad you will no longer be able to hoist a beer eh?...pine woods split
voluntarily...all by themselves..try your axes and expertise on something knarly dude...requires utmost expertise..
Ya got to flick it. I'm busting some knarly white oak with a Tassie, I let a guy borrow it and he sharpened it to almost a knives edge. I wasn't to happy, but oh well. Stay safe and healthy.
Anytime you want to show us that truck you’re driving!!! Only thing cooler than old axes are old trucks!!
Quite the eager beaver, Buckin! You would work circles around a lot of people my age and below. Most would have took a hour to find a log splitter instead of just getting to it. Great stuff, Buckin! Love the content no matter how is put up or what the topics are.
Have a white fir I think...cant split it branches go deep deep into the rounds...need advice?????
I've been splitting wood for years and want to invest in a better axe/handle. what would you recommend for a bit and handle? Im not a very big guy buy have a good swing, just need something that works good for hard, sometimes knotted wood. thanks
Long time since this video but just came across it. Buckin, have you ever split elm? Tough stuff to get after. It grows twisted as well.
Wow, that "maybe a sager" axe is good lookin'! I'd like to swing a couple center fielders with that beaut!
Thank you for explaining the design geometry Plum crazy
I’ve been splitting wood and cutting since I was 6 but all I was ever told was to at it you’ll learn 😂 watching you fall buck and split has taught and saved me so much time and effort also never knew there was such thing as a splitting axe all I ever seen or had was mauls really cool to learn from ya man
The term “ friends “ is kinda crepy 🤷🏻♂️
Anyway, keep it up! Nice content.
right tool for the person/environment/material/situation and versatility personally I lean towards versatility and portability which is leading me towards tke tomahawk medium size that is portable yet has some good strength behind the edge on axe should be good at cutting splitting is a secondary job should be light enough to be used single hand but long enough to go 2 hand
I think that the people inquiring about chopping the way it grows or not may have meant a 90° angle and attacking the bark instead of the end grain. I've never thought to do it that way but I do see people doing it that way sometimes...
I was just gonna axe that question. Thanks Friend! You always brighten my day.
Im with you BR, never even considered that. I look for natural cracks and knots and thats about it. Anything else seems a waste of time