How can i chop wood?

[janek]

That's it really - we have wood-burning stove. We buy wood, we own an axe, DP can chop the wood, i cannot. I have tried, but i either don't have the strength; or the knack; or both!

Is there something i am missing? I am particularly weak, you would beat me in an arm-wrestle for example, but does that mean there is no way i can sort out my own logs?!?

[ROUS]

I prefer the axe to the logmatic. worth persevering swinging the thing much less effort in the long run.

Logs with big knots, twists or branches will be harder to split.

If your axe gets stuck whack the end of the handle down quickly or pick up axe with log attached and smash down whole thing.

Aim for the centre of the growth rings - not necessarily the centre of the tree

Use a large round of trunk as your 'cutting' block.

It's great for your abs.

[NuclearStandoff]

In our house the wood chopping is definitely DPs job. We all stack the logs together and I usually fill up the log baskets but DP does all the axing. Makes him feel like a real man so I just let him get on with it.

[insancerre]

I used to chop logs when i was a teenager- it is very theraupatic
It helps to have the log up higher so you don't have to bend down too far- an old tree stump is ideal

[MrsPennyapple]

Janek I plan to - we're getting married in a couple of months :)

He chops the log into pieces with a chainsaw, then splits them with the axe. He says it keeps him warm three times - loading it on the wagon, chopping it up, and burning it on the fire.

[lljkk]

DH uses a bigger piece of wood as his chopping block.

He has a chainsaw for most of the work.

There is a knack to how you swing the axe and putting minimal effort in to get maximum force to the axe head.

I can't do it, either.

[OneHandFlapping]

Don't chop logs on the patio, unless you want cracked paving slabs, that's my advice.

[SquidgyMummy]

logmatic looks good, i may invest in one so i'm not so reliant on DP.

[SquidgyMummy]

We have a log burner
DP uses a log splitter. Put in the top of the log and whack with a club hammer.

[janek]

cakesaregood you've completely hit the nail on the head (using a splitting axe?), all our wood this year has turned up seasoned, but damp, presumable due to the horrifically rainy summer last year. By the time we get to the end of it the last few pieces have dried out sufficiently to actually burn easily.

But if 'we' could chop in advance and keep them by the fire then all the wood would burn easily and the bellows could rest. And now 'we' can.

mrspennyapple he sounds amazing. I'd keep that one, if i were you

[MrsPennyapple]

I was all set to say I'm rubbish at splitting logs too, so I let DP do it. However, I see you've managed it now, which probably means I ought to have another go. To be fair, he does ours all through the summer so it's ready to just chuck on the fire. I do kindling though!

[cakesaregood]

Well done!

Love the line about 'decent sized pile of wood'. That's the thing isn't it? Our lovely DPs do as much as they need for the here and now. We want to be prepared for a while to come!

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

That's really good :)
I'm terrified of our splitting axe. Really interested in that logmatic thing.

[janek]

[Selks]

Well done that woman!

[janek]

I DID IT!!! i'll be honest - i channelled my inner viking (didn't know i had one) and held in my stomach as advised and i did it. I'm so pleased with myself. And we now have a much more sensible amount of wood inside than we usually do.

I am delighted, thank you so much for all advice.

Ps i think the axe does need sharpening...

[pirouette]

A local smiddy or blacksmith will sharpen your axes.
They love it when people have an axe to grind

[AMumInScotland]

We just have the small one - it goes through practically anything in one go when DH uses it, so long as the wood is properly seasoned. Tends to take me two or three thumps to go through a big log. They really are effective if you can't get the hang of an axe - I can't hit the same place twice, and DH has back problems so swinging an axe around is a bad idea for him. But the logmatic lets you stand there with your back straight, except when you have to pick up the results of course!

[janek]

It was bought in january 2011 when we had the woodburner fitted, so it hasn't seen that much action - we only light the fire from november to march-ish. How quickly do they go blunt?

I've no way of knowing as i never tried to use it when it was new, but dp reckons we need a sharpening stone. And then proceeded not to get one.

[janek]

They look brilliant muminscotland, do you have the big one, or the small one?

[WowOoo]

How long since it was sharpened or bought?

Only you can tell if it's too blunt really!

[WowOoo]

Do you think you need a larger axe then?

I have a small selection of them and would gladly come and do it for you if I had the time.

I love chopping wood. You just need practice and to follow steps explained above by specialsubject. I'm no hulk but I manage.

[janek]

Is our axe too blunt do you think? I don't seem to be strong enough to get the axe stuck in the log. I wonder if it may be the axes fault .

[AMumInScotland]

www.logmatic.co.uk/ - Logmatic splitters are wonderful!

You position the bottom end on the log, then thump the inner part of the handle down inside it. Stays in position if you need more than one hit to get through it, no waving heavy and sharp implements around. Children can even use it safely, if you can convince them it's "fun" to help rather than a chore

[Fishandjam]

I have to let the weight of the axe head do the work - and hope that the blade sticks in the log (rather than bouncing off!) so I can split it properly. Some logs I just have to surrender to DH. And I don't do many at any one time.