X27 Axe - Golf Swing Splitting Style

[X27]

Anyone else utilizing a golf swing style when splitting rounds?

Rather than lifting the round onto a chopping block, I learned from someone who cuts a ton of wood to simply split it where it lies. That means teeing off on the round as it lies on the ground horizontally with bark down.

Granted, this works great with the light X27 Axe as there is a ton of momentum once you blow through the round. That means a generous safety buffer is needed as pieces do go flying...and potentially the Axe too if you don't have a good grip!

I have cut a lot of wood this way, big and small rounds, saved a bunch of time and effort, and really enjoy it, so thought I'd bring it up here.

Safety first!

(broken image removed)

 

[drz1050]

I've done that a couple times when I'm walking around the pile and see something on its side... but no, not normally. It depends on the wood, but is typically not very effective. You have nothing holding the round in place, so when you hit it, it just scoots away.

 

[Rossco]

The only time i golf swing the round is to stick the axe in. Find it easier to lift the round onto the block that way.

 

[X27]

I also thought that it would be ineffective, especially on smaller rounds with no weight, but I think the key is using a sharp Axe like the X27 and having the swing speed be up there. I only use this style now and cut cords and cords this way.

 

[X27]

Also, I split rounds from 4 to to 20 inches this way and wood types are oak, maple, birch, and ash. Typically able to blow the round open in one or two hits.

 

[Shane Collins]

Depends on the wood as others said but I do often use the golf swing technique. Usually when I split a round in half and it falls off the chopping block instead of picking up the half rounds I'll tee off. If they don't split in one or two hits I'll put them back on the block and split like normal. It is a time and back saver, but do be safe when doing it.

 

[Oww My Back Hurts]

Anyone who's seen my golf swing knows why I do not split wood that way. It would be just a matter of time until I lose a foot. Plus my yard would be full of divots and I'd lose a half dozen rounds in the weeds or pond.

 

[Hogwildz]

I just throw the rounds on the splitter, and let it do the work.

 

[X27]

Anyone who's seen my golf swing knows why I do not split wood that way. It would be just a matter of time until I lose a foot. Plus my yard would be full of divots and I'd lose a half dozen rounds in the weeds or pond.

Hahah, good point, I wonder if they would let me on the golf course with my Axe? Lol.

As for losing a foot, I find it safer than the over shoulder swing, but I still wear steel toed boots! Fore!

 

[BoiledOver]

I agree with your theory. My post in a previous thread.

First and most important to me is to split in cold temperatures, fifteen degrees F, and less if possible. The red oak logs I get in are 8 foot and a couple or so inches long. They are harvested in November or December and I get them in late January. So they are not soaking wet but have enough moisture to get cold hard and mostly split like a dream. I buck em 19-20 inches. I see no need for a block or stump. If it is a large round, I stand it on end and work the edges first, with the smaller stuff laying flat on the ground is good.

I used to have a block but the lifting was the worse part of the whole thing. Fugetaboutit. Wedges, nope, used to but that was just extra work too. Finished a 10 cord load last week without lifting one piece up on a block and have just 4 pieces laying there from crotches. Whittled what I could off of em and will burn em in a campfire.

 

[X27]

I completely agree and the whole chop, bend, chase, lift, repeat seems so inefficient and time consuming. I prefer not to lift any rounds, but do roll them over to my pile before splitting them. I do think the lighter splitting axes are key to this method as a monster maul or heavy maul would probably throw your shoulder out or just push the wood around. For me, it makes splitting by hand more enjoying and I produce more as well. Nothing against splitters, but I enjoy the country sounds and setting the most!

 

[midwestcoast]

I do that sometimes with smaller easy to split rounds. I'm sure it's not all that safe & i probably shouldn't do it, but I can be pretty lazy at times…
With bigger stuff I don't see it saving me any time/work.

 

[nosinjcted]

Do you have a video of splitting this way?

 

[TreePointer]

Sometimes I'll use a golf swing with the X27 just for the fun of it. It does split the wood and provides a different muscle motion.

 

[X27]

Sure, here is a video of my X27 golf swing on oak I bucked yesterday.
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B1tFvH96J0KPMFhfdTQ5VHltUkE/edit?usp=docslist_api

 

[nosinjcted]

I've never even thought to try that. You learn something new everyday. Thanks for sharing.

 

[X27]

Gladly. This was a fairly slow swing, so the bigger stuff takes a stronger swing of course. One thing I also learned is that this method is a bit rough on the wrists, so I use wrist supports which helps a lot (basic velcro ones). Safety first as pieces can fly!

 

[CombatChris]

Neat, and to each their own. But no thanks. I'll stick to filling a tire on the chopping block and keep my hoist and downward swing.

Now, what I find REALLY crazy are the people who do a whirlwind swing - a real windmill starting at their feet and swinging all up over their whole body. That's a lost limb waiting to happen.

 

[X27]

I like the tire on chopping block idea too and may add this as a way to work different muscles. In the end, the goal is to feed the wood pile queue and to enjoy my obsession of processing and heating with wood! [emoji2]

 

[ClanCameron]

No, but great way to keep your golf game on par!

 

[Studdlygoof]

I use this style swing frequently to break the monotony of splitting in my tire. Works great placing it against the tire. Also helps when the woods splits easier than expected to bounce off the tire with the axe rather then tiring out the back trying to catch the swing