How To Split Hardwood Firewood

Sometimes, when firewood is cut, it is too large in diameter to season well or fit the firebox or wood stove it is intended for. Splitting the wood can make even large diameter logs usable, as well as allowing them to season more quickly. Although this can be accomplished much more easily with a hydraulic log splitter, if you don't have access to one, or just enjoy the physical challenge, here is how you do it the hard way.

Step 1  

Cut your wood to length. You should cut your wood to the most efficient length for your purpose, in terms of both handling and storing it, as well as making it a suitable length for your application. Normal wood stoves and smaller fireplaces usually take a 16 to 20 inch (40 to 50 cm) log, and the shorter the log is, the more easily it will split.  

• Try to cut the ends of each piece of firewood square and flat, as you will need to stand them on end to split them, and crooked cuts will make this difficult to do.

Step 2  

Set up a chopping block, usually a large section of the tree's trunk. This will be the surface you place individual logs on to split them, making it easier to swing your axe, and causing less strain on your back.

Step 3  

Make sure you are in a safe location, allowing for good footing, with no debris or overhanging limbs around where you will be working.

Step 4  

Place your first log on the chopping block. Make sure it is stable, and near the center if possible.

Step 5  

Look for large knots or places where a limb was removed when the wood was cut. These places will likely have very crooked, gnarly grain, which should be avoided if possible.

Step 6  

Look for hairline cracks in the log. You should aim so that the blade of your ax or maul runs in the same direction as the crack.

Step 7  

Choose the location you want to split the log, stand with your axe resting on that location, and set your feet properly. This will place you in a stance that will allow you to swing the axe with great force and accuracy, both of which will be required to successfully split the log.

Step 8  

Bring your axe over the shoulder of your dominant hand, gripping with both hands securely, then swing it down hard, into the block of wood. Your control and balance will greatly improve if you start with your stronger hand towards the head of the maul - as you swing down towards the log this hand will slide down toward the end of the handle to meet your weaker hand.

Step 9  

Pull the axe bit out of the log if the wood fails to split on the first swing. You may have to pull and twist it hard to remove it, if the bit is sunk deeply and stuck in the wood. Rock the axe bit up and down to work it out of the wood; do not rock it side to side there is a chance of breaking the handle when rocking the handle side to side.

Step 10  

Repeat your swing into the wood, attempting to strike in exactly the same place as the first time, or along the length of any crack which appeared when you hit it.

Step 11  

Continue the previous steps until either the wood splits, or you choose to give up. If your wood is very knotty, twisted, or tight-grained, you may have to use a splitting maul or even a hammer and steel wedge to succeed.

Step 12  

Split each block of wood into progressively smaller pieces, until they are the desired size. Normally, you will split the block in half, then each half will be split again, until the pieces are about 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) in their largest cross section.

Step 13  

Stack the split wood where air can circulate around it to allow it to season thoroughly before it is burned in a wood stove or fireplace. Cover it to prevent rain from repeatedly wetting it, which will cause it to rot, but do so in a manner which still allows good air circulation.

Tips

• Some types of wood split more easily when they do not have a significant moisture content. Other types of wood, including beech, black birch, and black oak from the California foothills split easier when wet or green, and for best results should be split soon after felling.
• Some people claim splitting from the lower end toward the top is easier.
• Use a heavy axe or a maul for hard to split wood. Standard axes are 3 1/2 pounds, splitting axes are 5 pounds, and mauls range between 6 and 8 pounds.
• A lighter maul may swing faster, which is more important than mass when splitting wood.
• Beginners often damage or break wooden handles of axes or mauls when the handle hits the wood being split. An all-metal splitting maul, while heavy, will avoid this problem.
• If you are splitting wood for cooking stove use, take the time to split plenty of kindling, smaller sticks. Much easier to start a fire, and the cook will appreciate it!
• It's sometimes easier to split very large pieces by striking the very front edge of the log's cut face as opposed to striking the center of the cut face. This gives your swing a better chance of splitting down the edge, which frequently results in the entire log splitting.
• A sledgehammer can also be used to drive your maul through the wood.
• Never use an axe as a wedge or hit one it with a sledgehammer; it doesn't have enough of a wedge shape. It's hard steel is not designed for that use. It can send metal chips or even chunks of the steel flying at everyone.
• Do not rely only on the weight of the axe or maul striking the wood, continue your stroke all the way through, this makes a significant difference.
• Some types of wood, i.e. sweet gum, winged elm and pecan are very difficult to split. Consider cutting these types no longer than the length of your firebox and using them as rounds, un-split.
• When aiming take the time to realize that your swing will be a little forward of the spot you are aiming for. So aim a little back from the center, and you will be dead on due to the arc of your swing.
• If you are not careful you will break the axe handle and possibly injure yourself if you go past the front edge.
• Missing is also dangerous because the axe keeps swinging toward yourself and can twist your wrists and slip out of you hands.

Warnings

• Always wear gloves, safety glasses, and boots when splitting firewood.
• Watch for venomous spiders, insects, and other hazards when you cut wood.
• Be aware of your stance so that if your axe or maul misses the target the completed swing will not strike a foot or leg. If you are lowering your body as you lower the axe, if it misses, its force will just be directed downward, hitting the chopping block and not your shin.
• Check for and do not allow bystanders behind you or in front of you for quite some distance: Should the axe head come off or the shaft slip out of your hands the results can be deadly.
• Check for overhead obstructions before chopping, such as tree limbs, patio lights, clothes lines, etc.
• Make sure that your axe is sharp. A dull axe will not only make the job tougher, it can be dangerous.
• Make sure that you you are healthy enough for such physical activity. If you haven't engaged in such activity in some time, take it slow and take frequent breaks.
• If the wood gets stuck onto the axehead, DO NOT lift both over your head if you decide to hit the wood against the block. The stuck piece of wood might fall off the axehead and kill you.
• If the axehead gets stuck in the wood, do not twist or use side-to-side force on the handle to dislodge it. That might break or weaken the handle-head connection. Instead, rock or pump the axe up and down in the direction of the blade.
• DO NOT do this alone. Have a companion or cell phone nearby to call for help
• Stop before you get too tired. It's always the one-last-piece you chop that you get hurt on.

Things You'll Need

• A good heavy axe or maul
• A chainsaw or other means of cutting your logs.