How to Chop Wood
Get yourself ready., Find and position your chopping block., Position your wood., Face the wood and your chopping block., Grip your axe correctly., Observe the grain of the wood., Prepare your swing., Swing the axe.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Get yourself ready.
Not only will you need some ready-to-split logs of appropriate length, which is approximately the length of your forearm, and your trusty axe, but you should also ensure your safety by equipping yourself with:
Work gloves Work boots Safety glasses (optional, but recommended) -
Step 2: Find and position your chopping block.
If you don't have a chopping block already, your most likely choice will be a large, thick piece of un-split wood.
A flared stump also makes an excellent chopping block.
If you choose a thick piece of wood, look for one that is knotty, as these will be more resistant to the force of your axe and last longest as a chopping block.
Elm wood has a grain to it that makes it naturally split resistant.
If an elm wood chopping block is available to you, you should take advantage of it.A recycled tire around the top of your chopping block can stabilize pieces of wood that don't balance well on your chopping block.A chopping block should always have yield; chopping on a hard surface can do damage to your axe or, in the case of a dangerous deflection, yourself. , Take the piece of wood you want to split and balance it on your chopping block.
You may have to adjust your wood to get it to stand correctly due to natural irregularities, like splits or knots, in the wood growth.
Your log should be as stable as possible, with the area you are striking pointing toward the position where you will be chopping wood. , Make sure there are no twigs, loose stones, slick mud, or anything else underfoot that might cause you to slip.
Stand with your feet shoulder width apart and address your wood and chopping block head on.It is important that you keep your legs spread shoulder width apart.
Poorly balanced wood or irregular grain/knots in the wood can cause your axe to hit a glancing blow.
Keeping your legs shoulder width apart keeps you safest from landing your axe on your foot or toes. , Take your axe in both hands with your dominant hand near the head of the axe and your non-dominant hand toward the end of the handle.
A proper swing is executed by allowing your dominant hand to slide down the axe handle toward your other hand, which should remain stationary.
This will give you greater control and delivers a more powerful blow., Note any knots or limbs.
These will make your wood much harder to split.
To split a knotted piece of wood, your best approach is going to be the most smooth grained part of the wood between knots/limbs.Checks, or small cracks already in your wood, are ideal places for you to land an axe blow.
The easiest wood to split will be smooth grained, with the lines of the wood looking consistent and regular , Focus on your target.
Bring your axe up on your dominant side, arcing it up over your shoulder in a smooth and steady motion.Grip the axe firmly in preparation for the swing, and make sure your stance is stable and your legs shoulder width apart.
Another acceptable technique is to bring your axe straight overhead and down on your piece of wood. , Bring the axe quickly and firmly down, allowing your dominant hand to slide down the axe handle toward your other hand.
Keep your focus stead on the spat at which you are aiming until your axe has struck.Depending on the thickness and knottiness of your wood, you may have to repeat your strike one or more times before the wood is split. -
Step 3: Position your wood.
-
Step 4: Face the wood and your chopping block.
-
Step 5: Grip your axe correctly.
-
Step 6: Observe the grain of the wood.
-
Step 7: Prepare your swing.
-
Step 8: Swing the axe.
Detailed Guide
Not only will you need some ready-to-split logs of appropriate length, which is approximately the length of your forearm, and your trusty axe, but you should also ensure your safety by equipping yourself with:
Work gloves Work boots Safety glasses (optional, but recommended)
If you don't have a chopping block already, your most likely choice will be a large, thick piece of un-split wood.
A flared stump also makes an excellent chopping block.
If you choose a thick piece of wood, look for one that is knotty, as these will be more resistant to the force of your axe and last longest as a chopping block.
Elm wood has a grain to it that makes it naturally split resistant.
If an elm wood chopping block is available to you, you should take advantage of it.A recycled tire around the top of your chopping block can stabilize pieces of wood that don't balance well on your chopping block.A chopping block should always have yield; chopping on a hard surface can do damage to your axe or, in the case of a dangerous deflection, yourself. , Take the piece of wood you want to split and balance it on your chopping block.
You may have to adjust your wood to get it to stand correctly due to natural irregularities, like splits or knots, in the wood growth.
Your log should be as stable as possible, with the area you are striking pointing toward the position where you will be chopping wood. , Make sure there are no twigs, loose stones, slick mud, or anything else underfoot that might cause you to slip.
Stand with your feet shoulder width apart and address your wood and chopping block head on.It is important that you keep your legs spread shoulder width apart.
Poorly balanced wood or irregular grain/knots in the wood can cause your axe to hit a glancing blow.
Keeping your legs shoulder width apart keeps you safest from landing your axe on your foot or toes. , Take your axe in both hands with your dominant hand near the head of the axe and your non-dominant hand toward the end of the handle.
A proper swing is executed by allowing your dominant hand to slide down the axe handle toward your other hand, which should remain stationary.
This will give you greater control and delivers a more powerful blow., Note any knots or limbs.
These will make your wood much harder to split.
To split a knotted piece of wood, your best approach is going to be the most smooth grained part of the wood between knots/limbs.Checks, or small cracks already in your wood, are ideal places for you to land an axe blow.
The easiest wood to split will be smooth grained, with the lines of the wood looking consistent and regular , Focus on your target.
Bring your axe up on your dominant side, arcing it up over your shoulder in a smooth and steady motion.Grip the axe firmly in preparation for the swing, and make sure your stance is stable and your legs shoulder width apart.
Another acceptable technique is to bring your axe straight overhead and down on your piece of wood. , Bring the axe quickly and firmly down, allowing your dominant hand to slide down the axe handle toward your other hand.
Keep your focus stead on the spat at which you are aiming until your axe has struck.Depending on the thickness and knottiness of your wood, you may have to repeat your strike one or more times before the wood is split.
About the Author
Amber Ross
Professional writer focused on creating easy-to-follow pet care tutorials.
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