Billnas 7 Axe and 3kg Maul Splitting Firewood
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- Опубликовано: 4 фев 2017
- I created this video with the RUclips Video Editor ( / editor )
Effective tools for splitting large rounds of Ponderosa Pine and processing logs for stove wood and kindling.
Another good video! Thanks!
love the channel keep it up. billy sent me over
Thank you for dropping by and your kind comments. Buckin' is a good guy and I was lucky to spend some time with him while he was filming. My output has been slow of late, I look forward to doing more filming in the next few weeks. Take Care, WS
I have a bigger, 8lb maul, but I tend to use this more it has a shorter cutting edge so penetrates almost as well when I am splitting Birch, Spruce, Aspen or Douglas Fir (though if the Douglas Fir is knotty I use the 8lb maul. The Billnas Axes I have split most things up to 6" very well, especially the No. 7 Billnas. I have several wedges but tend to use them less than I used to.
I split Sitka Spruce mostly which can be very knotty and which frequently has dead branches running through the rounds. To open them up I find that the extra bit of weight makes the job easier overall.
Nice!
Thanks so much, glad you enjoyed it!
I was watching a RUclips video about Tom Clark who developed his own splitting axe and at 50 yrs of age beat 2 men with a log splitting machine. He had a firewood business and had 100 cords of wood he had split with his 'Buster Axe'. It set me thinking that I have an old Mastercraft 5lb splitting axe (pre-dates the Norlund Splitting Axe). I have not used this old axe as the head is mounted upside down!!!. I am thinking that I will re-haft it soon and flat file the cutting edge as Tom Clark did. Tom used a vertical chopping technique with the axe angled at 30 degrees to the side as it impacted the wood, in effect bursting open the grain. Tom emphasized a sharp edge was required.
I know about that man and I have tried his way, which is very effective on straight grained wood. The method works particularly well with a double bit axe, since the implement is evenly balanced i.e. the same amount of weight is on either side of the haft. Another bonus is that you don't need a splitting block, since the axe will not make contact with the ground. If you look closely, his 'Buster' had an extra large poll for the right balance. That way it is easier to 'turn' the axe when it hits the wood. It takes practice, but is very satisfying when you get it right. Buckin Billy Smith is another RUclipsr who is an expert at this method.
I decided to cut the haft off the Mastercraft 5lb splitting Axe, it is very good steel, but unfortunately I noticed a fine crack running down one side of the head (as a result of previous owner pounding on the poll). I may try running a weld down it, I have welded cracked hatchets before and they have stood up to use. I have seen Buckin Billy Smith's Channel, some good stuff there.
Chris, You said that the 3kg maul that you are using is Austrian. In that case it must be a Mueller, the same brand that I use. Their stuff is hand forged and of high quality.
Hello Michael, it could be, or if not maybe it is a Stubai. I re-hafted it recently but could not find a haft for it, so I ended up modifying a pick-axe handle which is far from ideal....it has no swell at the bottom of the handle and is very thick near the top, I may try to reduce it with a rasp or spokeshave.
Wrap some insulating tape at intervals around the end of the handle, where you grab it. As a result the raised and hollow spots give a very good grip without causing any discomfort. I have done it with my own splitting axe and it works perfectly.
Have you heard of the Wetterlings Les Stroud Bushman Axe? I would like to review this. I bought one about 4 or 5 years ago and use it a lot.
great video as usual! that billnäs seems like a great splitter. nothing like a good maul to do the job though. atb Alex
Hi Alex, I am glad you liked this video, I started chopping this wood at Christmas but it was -25C and windy, too cold for video work! Yes, the Billnas, for it weight, its a very good splitter and not too heavy to use for longer periods. I just re-hafted the big maul, but I think I will slim down the handle more because it was a shaft for a pick axe that I adapted for the job. I hope all is well with you :)