I've been splitting wood for the past 22 years but 5 minutes watching Ray has taught me something new. Such a fantastic teacher and underrated presenter IMO
There are lots of videos on the internet about bushcraft these days. I keep coming back to Rays' videos for 2 good reasons : He knows his craft, and he has a talent for teaching it to anyone in a straight-forward, yet non-condescending manner. Plus, listening to his relaxed RP is a welcome counterpoint to the drawl of the TH-cam bubbas.
Completely agree. Ray has a talent for teaching bushcraft and it’s not glamorised or reared for entertainment (looking at you Bear Grylls), but rather for education and information. Whilst his voice is soothing, I disagree with one thing here though... Ray doesn’t speak with Received Pronunciation. The Queen speaks with RP. It’s actually very rare dialect nowadays. Ray doesn’t even speak with a standard British dialect (which is actually general regarded as the dialect as spoken in and around Oxford), but for those who can identify such things, he speaks with a slight Kentish English dialect (although he has ‘poshed’ it up slightly).
Clear and concise, excellent description, well demonstrated with exactly the right amount of commentary without superfluous and unnecessary banter...and extremely useful with the perfect amount of safety thrown in....absolutely brilliant. Well done Sir, well done indeed.
This is some real common sense and safe techniques for preparing firewood. I wish more videos on Bushcraft were true to the skill. I see too many videos out there, put out by over enthusiastic novices that show unsafe techniques and the wrong tools for the job....using a knife for things that an axe/hatchet should be used for and using a hatchet/axe for things a knife should be used for. Nice to see someone advocating proper splitting techniques with the right tools. Great job!
In such a short video you get so many information in such a clear and direct way plus basic safety instructions. No useless info or anything like that. - and at the end you can have a practical view of theoritical music - duration lesson ! He is just great!
The boy scouts call his two-handed kindling splitting method “contact method”, but I’ve called it the “Ray Mears method” for years because of this fantastic video.
I learned a great deal from this video. I use the larger axe one handed and you have helped me tremendously. I especially benefited from the technique of using the wood and axe coming down on a fallen log simultaneously. ~ Texas
Just think of the physics of what he said.....like lets really think about the hole thing real quick...here we go....we have a sharp axe...we are gonna use it to split wood.....but we dont want are axe to get dull so we do a wrist flick so the sharp bit dont hit the chopping block making it dull .......uhmmmmmm the wood we are splitting is wood....then chopping block we are trying nkt to hit is also effin wood.... So why is it perfectly fine to hit one wood but not another??..........it makes zero sense at all......in fact the only time it does make any sence to do a lol wrist flick to protect are axe from getting dull is if yoir splitting wood without a chopping block and dont wanna hit the ground and chip ur bit up on rocks.....like say if you wood is on the ground and ur to lazy to put it on a chopping block.......alot of us real axe guys splitting cords upon cords of wood a year with axes dont use chopping blocks and try not to handle the wood wasting time and energy to grab a lof and set it in a block and blah blah....so we will leave the log on the ground and sometimes may do a flick to not hit the ground and rocks......but if ur using a chopping block and ur fancy ass axe like cant hit the wood chopping block without dulling u better go buy a new axe cuze the one u got is a junk steal
@@codyrivenburgh2926 Hitting two bits of wood per split, your axe is doing twice the work and therefor dulling twice as fast, ‘real axe guys’ aren’t the brightest sparks it seems
@@falowdeer no see ..u make a point that 2 peaces of wood will dull ur axe twice as fast as one.....but the fact is....hitting one and trying not to hit another is honeslty just wasting energy that doesnt need to be wasted.... I mean sure if ur using a little 1 3/4 lb to 2 1/4 lb basicly long handled hatchet. Ur not waating that much energy....but in the real world of full size axes in the 3 and half to 7 lb range that wrist flick wastes alot of unneeded energy.......and to be honest...alot of axe guys that use axes daily for more then just the( lets go camping and pertend to survive thing).. We have more then one axe....normaly a smaller lighter 2 and half to 3 and half lb axe just for chopping it normaly has a very keen edge we are very carful to protect..... Then we have a heavier 3 amd half to 6 lb axe for splitting....that has very blunt angles that wont dull or chip easily so we can abuse them alittle more.....amd then a beater axe....normaly an old ugly beat up double bit....that we dont give a fuck about that we can beat the shit out of chopping roots outta the ground, limbing trees and do whatever without feer of dulling or chipping it......yea i get it u guys wanna camp and wanna pay an ridiculous price for an axe that really doesnt chop or splitt as efficently as a properlly sharpened axe with proper bevals anyway....i mean come on u granfors brucks fan boys love them 130 ish dollar axes that have poor bevals and handles I have to shave nd file attleast 1/3 of the handles wood off of just to thin it enough to feel somewhat tuned properly for efficent use......come on now..just admit your camping and pertending survive axes amd half ass axe knowledge is not what you think is
Thanks for the safety precautions. I can't believe I've never seen someone use the method you use of moving the wood you are trying to split with the axe. That makes so much sense! Thanks for sharing.
I never knew this gem of a man even had a TH-cam channel. Instantaneous sub and will be patching the wife for the next week while I watch all the videos twice each
It's a great video. Always nice to see how people do stuff. Just one comment for any novices out there: don't get upset if you aren't getting instant splits and flying quarters like Ray. Some wood's gnarly sticky. It's just the way things go...
Excellent Video! Not quite what My GrandFather would have done, exactly but VERY CLOSE! He was a professional lumberjack and it was amazing to watch and listen to him describe the right and wrong ways to use an axe. THANK YOU for this post!
someone who knows what he's doing without the gung-ho attitude of so many people who make similar videos. Never seen anyone chopping wood with that technique.
this was excellent and should be on the top of everyone's list who ever wants to know how to swing an ax. Some months ago I watched a noted bushcrafter use his foot as a brace while he was splitting logs. nothing happened but it could have been bad news. I misused an ax once and nearly lost a finger. Watching ALONE a contestant nearly lost a hand.
What a knowledgeable chap Ray Mears is. When you consider the time spent and the knowledge learned, the man is a phenomenon. No fannying about telling you his life story. Just gets to the point. Ego? Left back in the woods somewhere. We can always learn something from someone who clearly knows their trade. One other thing. Survival knife videos are obsessed with the art of using knives to split wood. Why bother? Why not bring an axe. Do the job properly and save weight be caring a much smaller knife.
It’s cool to see how years of being dumb in the woods as a kid, I arrive at very similar ways and means, as well as observations as someone like Mr. Mears.
I always heard about your amazing knives (of which I'm apparently too humble to own) but now I have a feel that your general character has the same top notch quality. Thanks for the video sir 🙏🏼
I just ordered a small forest axe as I need something for firewood. That trick of splitting the wood whilst it's under the axe is something I"m going to adopt for sure.
Damn is there anything better than axing wood? I wanna run my hands up and down that smooth shaft. Feel the cold rugged wood shaftl in my hands. Then swing with the force of a hairy Viking into decrepit wood.
Yeah ... that last bit was just way to ridiculous to really be worth having in this video. It's like saying "when I draw a line with a pencil I can either draw it from right to left, left to right, top to bottom or bottom to top .. but I can also .. " .. or are there anybody out there stupid enough to really need instructions how you can split a piece of log?
Even tho I don't get in the bush as often as I like JUST knowing by watching Ray's videos will probably save my life some day! And I'm being serious.....
I agree with you here and that other comment you made about damp conditions. I was in a wet situation about 2 months ago when me and a friend had to split a large piece in to very small pieces, just to make it catch. We used magnesium and flint, hate the stuff personally.
For splitting small stuff , this is the method i was speaking about.. It's really easy to do.. I just thought about that one time when i was splitting small wood, so i tried it and it worked great ... Lots of different methods out there that work and keep you safe from cutting yourself...
great thanks to you chief it is you and your people that brought this ample knowledge and craft to the world , wish I could learn from you many great thanks RAY keep radiating
@hempseed57 In the jungle there are lots of thin springy plants, that are hard to chop with an axe. In northern climates there aren't as many vines and the undergrowth tends to be less dense. Also in northern climates you will probably want to split wood, which is easier with an axe.
@OtiumBorealis all the fires i ever made when i was a kid was mainly for warmth first time ive ever seen ray mears hes the real deal for sure wish he had a show we chould watch in america
Viewing from Australia, I can say that none of the wood I have chopped over here has been anything like as well-behaved as yours. Splitting one block, for example, I used a total of 5 steel wedges and 100 sledge hammer blows to split it into just two pieces. But, great video for your compliant environment.
I like the Council Tool boy's axe, Council Tool Hudson Bay, and Husqvarna hatchet. All very well made and great cost savings. If you're interested in impressing other 'dudes' though . . .
I watched a program with (if i remember correctly) this guy giving advice on surviving after an avalanche / heavy snowfall in the wilderness.He started to build a shelter using blocks of dense snow that he was busy cutting with,yes you guessed it....a handsaw. Just the sort of item everyone carries in their backpack.
Have a look at the Wetterlings Large Hunting Axe, which come's in at 18.5", and about a pound and a half, I think. You cannot beat it for the price, if you are looking at a boutique axe such as these. I personally feel it to be well worth the money, and will last you a life time if you care for it properly.
@OtiumBorealis I think Ray's DVDs are well worth their price. On matter of principle I would buy the DVDs, I think what he is doing is something that should be supported in every way possible.
This guy possesses the perfect combination of conservationist, naturalist, survivalist, bushcraftsman, and educator. He's the best one out there.
100% agree with this fine statement.
The best by far!!!
He could talk the panties off a nun
The English can sound so convincing
l totally agree 👋
I listened to lofty wiseman slagging him and bear grylls during a conference, pretty sad really when people become so far up their own arse,
I've been splitting wood for the past 22 years but 5 minutes watching Ray has taught me something new. Such a fantastic teacher and underrated presenter IMO
Ray Mears is amazing. I wish he was still all over TV.
There are lots of videos on the internet about bushcraft these days. I keep coming back to Rays' videos for 2 good reasons : He knows his craft, and he has a talent for teaching it to anyone in a straight-forward, yet non-condescending manner. Plus, listening to his relaxed RP is a welcome counterpoint to the drawl of the TH-cam bubbas.
Well said... I agree..
Received Pronunciation, it is a distinct English accent.
I think I fall under that category of TH-cam channel 😂
Completely agree. Ray has a talent for teaching bushcraft and it’s not glamorised or reared for entertainment (looking at you Bear Grylls), but rather for education and information.
Whilst his voice is soothing, I disagree with one thing here though... Ray doesn’t speak with Received Pronunciation. The Queen speaks with RP. It’s actually very rare dialect nowadays. Ray doesn’t even speak with a standard British dialect (which is actually general regarded as the dialect as spoken in and around Oxford), but for those who can identify such things, he speaks with a slight Kentish English dialect (although he has ‘poshed’ it up slightly).
Agree. Nor is he a poser, whom I feel a few are. He's the real thing. Integrity.
Clear and concise, excellent description, well demonstrated with exactly the right amount of commentary without superfluous and unnecessary banter...and extremely useful with the perfect amount of safety thrown in....absolutely brilliant. Well done Sir, well done indeed.
Ray is a genius, a national treasure. Always leaning from him, total respect
This is some real common sense and safe techniques for preparing firewood. I wish more videos on Bushcraft were true to the skill. I see too many videos out there, put out by over enthusiastic novices that show unsafe techniques and the wrong tools for the job....using a knife for things that an axe/hatchet should be used for and using a hatchet/axe for things a knife should be used for. Nice to see someone advocating proper splitting techniques with the right tools. Great job!
In such a short video you get so many information in such a clear and direct way plus basic safety instructions. No useless info or anything like that.
- and at the end you can have a practical view of theoritical music - duration lesson !
He is just great!
he is like a teacher
And no nonsense extra talks . He is just amazing and informative.
Love the way you split the wood by holding them together! Never thought of that.
It's only about the most handy technique ever. I remember watching this vid years ago. These days I can carve with an axe.
Ray mears was my childhood hero now am only getting into bushcraft sustainable living as an adult thanks for the knowledge Ray.
The boy scouts call his two-handed kindling splitting method “contact method”, but I’ve called it the “Ray Mears method” for years because of this fantastic video.
You aren't the only one who calls it that, it was taught to me as the "Ray Mears method" while I was in the Scouts some years back.
I could watch Ray all the day long, the man has a wealth of knowledge and is happy to share 👍
I learned a great deal from this video. I use the larger axe one handed and you have helped me tremendously. I especially benefited from the technique of using the wood and axe coming down on a fallen log simultaneously.
~ Texas
Great Instruction, especially like the wrist flick to keep the edge from getting blunt on the stump when splitting...
-Mitch
(New England)
I can believe it would probably be good to use on Nice, dry rounds, but for chunky trunks i can imagine a slam with a splitter is a good option
Just think of the physics of what he said.....like lets really think about the hole thing real quick...here we go....we have a sharp axe...we are gonna use it to split wood.....but we dont want are axe to get dull so we do a wrist flick so the sharp bit dont hit the chopping block making it dull .......uhmmmmmm the wood we are splitting is wood....then chopping block we are trying nkt to hit is also effin wood.... So why is it perfectly fine to hit one wood but not another??..........it makes zero sense at all......in fact the only time it does make any sence to do a lol wrist flick to protect are axe from getting dull is if yoir splitting wood without a chopping block and dont wanna hit the ground and chip ur bit up on rocks.....like say if you wood is on the ground and ur to lazy to put it on a chopping block.......alot of us real axe guys splitting cords upon cords of wood a year with axes dont use chopping blocks and try not to handle the wood wasting time and energy to grab a lof and set it in a block and blah blah....so we will leave the log on the ground and sometimes may do a flick to not hit the ground and rocks......but if ur using a chopping block and ur fancy ass axe like cant hit the wood chopping block without dulling u better go buy a new axe cuze the one u got is a junk steal
@@codyrivenburgh2926 Hitting two bits of wood per split, your axe is doing twice the work and therefor dulling twice as fast, ‘real axe guys’ aren’t the brightest sparks it seems
Hey Mitch, loved you on Alone. You did an amazing job.
@@falowdeer no see ..u make a point that 2 peaces of wood will dull ur axe twice as fast as one.....but the fact is....hitting one and trying not to hit another is honeslty just wasting energy that doesnt need to be wasted.... I mean sure if ur using a little 1 3/4 lb to 2 1/4 lb basicly long handled hatchet. Ur not waating that much energy....but in the real world of full size axes in the 3 and half to 7 lb range that wrist flick wastes alot of unneeded energy.......and to be honest...alot of axe guys that use axes daily for more then just the( lets go camping and pertend to survive thing).. We have more then one axe....normaly a smaller lighter 2 and half to 3 and half lb axe just for chopping it normaly has a very keen edge we are very carful to protect..... Then we have a heavier 3 amd half to 6 lb axe for splitting....that has very blunt angles that wont dull or chip easily so we can abuse them alittle more.....amd then a beater axe....normaly an old ugly beat up double bit....that we dont give a fuck about that we can beat the shit out of chopping roots outta the ground, limbing trees and do whatever without feer of dulling or chipping it......yea i get it u guys wanna camp and wanna pay an ridiculous price for an axe that really doesnt chop or splitt as efficently as a properlly sharpened axe with proper bevals anyway....i mean come on u granfors brucks fan boys love them 130 ish dollar axes that have poor bevals and handles I have to shave nd file attleast 1/3 of the handles wood off of just to thin it enough to feel somewhat tuned properly for efficent use......come on now..just admit your camping and pertending survive axes amd half ass axe knowledge is not what you think is
Thanks for the safety precautions. I can't believe I've never seen someone use the method you use of moving the wood you are trying to split with the axe. That makes so much sense! Thanks for sharing.
It’s amazing how he makes even the hardest job easy, and explains everything perfectly. You can never stop learning ,Every day’s a school day
Knight that guy.. The one and only, the legend, the best... Ray Mears!
Nope. Nasty evil creatures get knighted. Ray is certainly does not fit into that category.
Unbelievable how much good information you can teach in such a short time. Thanks- much appreciated- I have subscribed!
I never knew this gem of a man even had a TH-cam channel. Instantaneous sub and will be patching the wife for the next week while I watch all the videos twice each
It's a great video. Always nice to see how people do stuff. Just one comment for any novices out there: don't get upset if you aren't getting instant splits and flying quarters like Ray. Some wood's gnarly sticky. It's just the way things go...
Excellent Video! Not quite what My GrandFather would have done, exactly but VERY CLOSE! He was a professional lumberjack and it was amazing to watch and listen to him describe the right and wrong ways to use an axe. THANK YOU for this post!
Ray Mears is a legend, such a good role model
someone who knows what he's doing without the gung-ho attitude of so many people who make similar videos. Never seen anyone chopping wood with that technique.
this was excellent and should be on the top of everyone's list who ever wants to know how to swing an ax. Some months ago I watched a noted bushcrafter use his foot as a brace while he was splitting logs. nothing happened but it could have been bad news. I misused an ax once and nearly lost a finger. Watching ALONE a contestant nearly lost a hand.
Tnx,I have used an axe for decades but a safety refresher given in a refreshing manner is always fun. 😀
Ray the master followed you for years absolute gentleman 👏
Very good instructional video that shows things most people might not know despite many years with camping. Well done.
Ray Mears is the best teacher. I wish there were more HQ videos of him on youtube or on TV
More than a little late and you might not get to see this but click on his title above "Rick Mears and Woodlore Ltd', then 'Videos', for a load more.
What a knowledgeable chap Ray Mears is. When you consider the time spent and the knowledge learned, the man is a phenomenon. No fannying about telling you his life story. Just gets to the point. Ego? Left back in the woods somewhere.
We can always learn something from someone who clearly knows their trade.
One other thing. Survival knife videos are obsessed with the art of using knives to split wood. Why bother? Why not bring an axe. Do the job properly and save weight be caring a much smaller knife.
My favourite expert in his natural domain.
A true axe master. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
It’s cool to see how years of being dumb in the woods as a kid, I arrive at very similar ways and means, as well as observations as someone like Mr. Mears.
Excellent, one of the best I've seen on the topic!
Excellent video my friend,Ray is the best bushcraft teacher.
I always heard about your amazing knives (of which I'm apparently too humble to own) but now I have a feel that your general character has the same top notch quality. Thanks for the video sir 🙏🏼
I've watch this video many times over the years. It times like these a quite R.M. talk is good.
Thanks Ray for some really good, safe axe instruction.
Tumbled upon this video, nicely done Ray.
Great channel! I love observing nature, discover and meditate...
I just ordered a small forest axe as I need something for firewood. That trick of splitting the wood whilst it's under the axe is something I"m going to adopt for sure.
Even after more than 10 years, this is great stuff!
This primal knowledge is time tested. As good now as it was 100 years ago or as good as it’ll be in 500
I like my wood split into 1024ths.
Damn is there anything better than axing wood? I wanna run my hands up and down that smooth shaft. Feel the cold rugged wood shaftl in my hands. Then swing with the force of a hairy Viking into decrepit wood.
Yeah ... that last bit was just way to ridiculous to really be worth having in this video. It's like saying "when I draw a line with a pencil I can either draw it from right to left, left to right, top to bottom or bottom to top .. but I can also .. " .. or are there anybody out there stupid enough to really need instructions how you can split a piece of log?
cuts up bodies like nothing
martini carbine You betcha baby boy
martini carbine
Did I say anything bad about the axes? No .. so what did your reply add to the discussion?
Even tho I don't get in the bush as often as I like JUST knowing by watching Ray's videos will probably save my life some day! And I'm being serious.....
This is one damn fine video! Everything is so clear
I agree with you here and that other comment you made about damp conditions. I was in a wet situation about 2 months ago when me and a friend had to split a large piece in to very small pieces, just to make it catch. We used magnesium and flint, hate the stuff personally.
In a post apocalyptic environment where I would have to live off of the land, and I was only allowed one tool, I would choose Ray Mears.
bit harsh calling him a tool haha
Ray Mears is the best!! We need more videos of his!!
Ray Mears is great quality stuff
Ray Mears is the man.
Phenomenally helpful. Very straightforward and easy to understand. Thank you!
Nice video. I never knew we could have such a knowledge about axes.
This is brilliant! I was a Boy Scout for years, but never learned a single thing from this video
Man this stuff never gets old
Ray Mears is a boss. Cheers from your cousin across the pond.
For splitting small stuff , this is the method i was speaking about.. It's really easy to do.. I just thought about that one time when i was splitting small wood, so i tried it and it worked great ... Lots of different methods out there that work and keep you safe from cutting yourself...
great thanks to you chief it is you and your people that brought this ample knowledge and craft to the world , wish I could learn from you many great thanks RAY keep radiating
Well one of the finest bushcrafting expert
@hempseed57
In the jungle there are lots of thin springy plants, that are hard to chop with an axe. In northern climates there aren't as many vines and the undergrowth tends to be less dense.
Also in northern climates you will probably want to split wood, which is easier with an axe.
Thank you Ray, you are a wealth of information !!
People can say what they want about ray mears but he knows what he is doing.
@OtiumBorealis all the fires i ever made when i was a kid was mainly for warmth first time ive ever seen ray mears hes the real deal for sure wish he had a show we chould watch in america
Viewing from Australia, I can say that none of the wood I have chopped over here has been anything like as well-behaved as yours. Splitting one block, for example, I used a total of 5 steel wedges and 100 sledge hammer blows to split it into just two pieces. But, great video for your compliant environment.
Well, with _Australian_ wood you're lucky if it doesn't give you a poisonous bite.
Ray Mears came to my scout camp and taught us loads
Awesome quick little video. Thanks!
It's funny with his splitting technique it looks like "bonking" the wood in half 😂 awesome vid!
When ray talks we listen great video 👌
Excellent tips! Thanks Ray! 😁👍👍🇺🇸
I remember when my grandfather was teaching me all of these technics🤝🙂 Thank you🤝
I like the Council Tool boy's axe, Council Tool Hudson Bay, and Husqvarna hatchet. All very well made and great cost savings. If you're interested in impressing other 'dudes' though . . .
I love the "obsessive" comment at the end!
5:07 - And you could split it further if you were a computer programmer and didn't want to waste the last bit of that byte.
I watched a program with (if i remember correctly) this guy giving advice on surviving after an avalanche / heavy snowfall in the wilderness.He started to build a shelter using blocks of dense snow that he was busy cutting with,yes you guessed it....a handsaw.
Just the sort of item everyone carries in their backpack.
Seems like it probably should be if you're in avalanche territory
bet ray was cutting 256ths off camera
Of course. They're ideal for bringing billy tea to the boil.
Using nothing but his spork
Have a look at the Wetterlings Large Hunting Axe, which come's in at 18.5", and about a pound and a half, I think.
You cannot beat it for the price, if you are looking at a boutique axe such as these.
I personally feel it to be well worth the money, and will last you a life time if you care for it properly.
Excellent video.
@OtiumBorealis I think Ray's DVDs are well worth their price. On matter of principle I would buy the DVDs, I think what he is doing is something that should be supported in every way possible.
Thank you so much. Nice, simply and very interesting lesson
What type of axes, Gränsfors Bruk I’m guessing, and what were the lengths and weights of each?
Good to see Norman Pace doing axe reviews
Appreciate the hatchet methods and safety
What are the axe brands here? What a showman
Good clip!
Ray Mears is a total legend, nothing but quality from him.
learned more about axes and splitting wood in this short video than all the other "survival" shows combined.
Apparently this video was made before his grandsfors bruks wilderness axe came out. I bought the wilderness axe and it is awesome
Ray Mears made some of the survival experts here on YT look dumb when it comes to wood splitting technique..what a guy.
Ray kept it real unlike the forest of fake you tubers using click bate to get paid, fake injuries, fake dangerous situations etc.....
Gränsfors Bruks axes from Sweden!
Place the wood to be split on the back of the block - best advice ever!
2020...still excellent.
Totally agree, his material can never be outdated as he is a legend.
Every modern TH-cam bushcraft expert uses Rays advice then adds a twig toggle 🤣
Hey Ray, how about a video on how to make a proper felling notch huh?
How do you hold it after 16ths? Useful video would have saved me some arm ache if I’d watched this before last 2 winters :)
Ray is a National Treasure! Its about time he was given a Knighthood.
Thank you...for new understanding 🙏⛏️
Ray is a great teacher.
4:24
Ray : beyond 128th if obsessed
Me : splits to the 345677754322678876555ths
Very well explaining, nice video thanks
Dear Lord, I though chopping required hitting wood with axe. This is science! Awesome video!
When are you coming back to bbc2??
What length axe is the forrest axe and what weight for the head?
Cheers 🤙
great video ray, thanks for the tips!
3:58 what was that little windup chop . came within 2 inches of your leg and with an axe this sharp it would have done damage