The log that wouldn't Split

Now I've split a cord or two quite literally and have recently come across a log that just wouldn't split. I mangled one piece but the rest of the log is not worth the effort. I've tried an 8lber and a fiskars and a wood grenade and a splitting wedge with an 8 lb sledge and crikey this SOB won't go.

What's a noob to do?

When all else fails...Split it with a chainsaw (Or you could save the tough ones and rent a power splitter).

Throw it in the woods to rot and move on to the next one.

Sometimes we learn a few new words when running into something like that.

Noodled the snot out of it. Every price from that log was just a stringy nightmare.

I've had a few of those. I wish I could walk away from them, but they keep calling me back. I just can't let a piece of wood beat me.

You only need to be 1% smarter than the wood.

Since my wife feels my head is full of rocks that 1% can be pretty hard...

KaptJaq

Had two rounds from the elm scrounge, that were just stubborn, noodled one, the other cut it to length I wanted, vuala, new splitting block, no worries of splitting the splitting block

sounds like you introduced yourself to a stringy elm log. The ones that grow out in the open fields can get downright NASTY and stringy......but as it has already been said, ain't no way I'll let a log beat me. If I can't get it by hand, it'll meet the hydraulics. If that don't work, it's gettin' noodled......

Time to make cookies

I like the gnarly wood, were all the crothches trees come together, i use my chainsaw on them. They will go all night.

I burn EVERYTHING,bring home even the gnarliest,knottiest pieces.I save them for blocks to split & saw on.They'll usually last 2-3 years or a bit longer,depending on how battered/notched up they get.After that in the fire they go.

Like to have 2 of them maybe 30-40 ft apart so there's less carrying/sorting the different blocks/chunks to my various drying stacks.Woodturning blocks/slabs etc are stacked separately from fuel.

That's some nice wood porn there thistle.

I'm contemplating turning the noodles pieces into a small table to hold my whiskey glass and book.

and some unique new combinations of them as well

I have a couple rounds that I couldn't split and I can't wait to throw them into the firepit Summer 2014 while having a tall beverage!

I've got an ash round that had a large branch cut off it. Not a straight grain in it unless you count the two wedges that will remain there until I rent a splitter. The ends are all kinds of chewed up from trying to whittle the edges to release some tension. I moved it from the top of a hill down to in front of the wood stacks to remind that bastard what is coming. He won many battles, but I'll win the war.

That's when you call in the pro ...................... the 23lb Sotz maul. Pound on it with the Sotz for a bit and you'll have kindling..............

It's comforting that I am not the only
one who has nearly been defeated by a piece of wood. They'll burn one way or another.

I've been defeated by a heck of a lot of wood.

I use a chunk of box elder as my splitting block. I swear that stuff self-heals

You'll need a 1" drill bit, some XX black powder, and cannon fuse...