-Tim-
06-01-2014, 09:06 PM
I have recently upgraded my axe from a small axe to a Gransfors small forest axe, basically so I could chop bigger wood and "stuff".
Splitting larger logs without a large stable chopping block Whilst "out there" has always been a bit of a head scratcher, until now (yes I know the one in my contraption is not a big one but hey bare with me) Researching my new axe I chanced upon this video from Paul Kirtley see here... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TPspxDfjtk&list=TLyLbBQ3GtSQw40imkljX8_2cLfH2L_qH9 I thought that I could adapt and use it for river banks and campsites where lugging a chopping block would be impractical. You will have to watch the video to see how it works and yes it does.
With the video in mind I built a chopping contraption, two stakes were sharpened and bashed into the ground, to which a small log was placed against, a smaller dead piece of wood was used to bring the target above the ground to prevent "ground strike"
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj18/timw2008/Facebook/Sharp%20pointy%20things%20and%20me%20burning%20stu ff/1456099_611429378893635_1699657097_n.jpg (http://s268.photobucket.com/user/timw2008/media/Facebook/Sharp%20pointy%20things%20and%20me%20burning%20stu ff/1456099_611429378893635_1699657097_n.jpg.html)
Another view of the chopping contraption,
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj18/timw2008/Facebook/Sharp%20pointy%20things%20and%20me%20burning%20stu ff/1508177_611431088893464_338546996_n.jpg (http://s268.photobucket.com/user/timw2008/media/Facebook/Sharp%20pointy%20things%20and%20me%20burning%20stu ff/1508177_611431088893464_338546996_n.jpg.html)
As in the Vid, notice how my bodily bits are in front of the log/target, this is to prevent me losing some of my leg if the axe (a)misses or (b) glances the log sending a lump of Sweden's finest razor sharp hand forged steel into me!
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj18/timw2008/Facebook/Sharp%20pointy%20things%20and%20me%20burning%20stu ff/1471892_611431772226729_1218448001_n.jpg (http://s268.photobucket.com/user/timw2008/media/Facebook/Sharp%20pointy%20things%20and%20me%20burning%20stu ff/1471892_611431772226729_1218448001_n.jpg.html)
Once the wood is small enough I chop it down smaller, this technique is also in the vid but I have been doing it like this for a while now with 'tother axe dead easy and a whole lot safer.
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj18/timw2008/Facebook/Sharp%20pointy%20things%20and%20me%20burning%20stu ff/997005_611432672226639_1950077726_n.jpg (http://s268.photobucket.com/user/timw2008/media/Facebook/Sharp%20pointy%20things%20and%20me%20burning%20stu ff/997005_611432672226639_1950077726_n.jpg.html)
Hope this is of some use.
Cheers
Tim
Splitting larger logs without a large stable chopping block Whilst "out there" has always been a bit of a head scratcher, until now (yes I know the one in my contraption is not a big one but hey bare with me) Researching my new axe I chanced upon this video from Paul Kirtley see here... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TPspxDfjtk&list=TLyLbBQ3GtSQw40imkljX8_2cLfH2L_qH9 I thought that I could adapt and use it for river banks and campsites where lugging a chopping block would be impractical. You will have to watch the video to see how it works and yes it does.
With the video in mind I built a chopping contraption, two stakes were sharpened and bashed into the ground, to which a small log was placed against, a smaller dead piece of wood was used to bring the target above the ground to prevent "ground strike"
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj18/timw2008/Facebook/Sharp%20pointy%20things%20and%20me%20burning%20stu ff/1456099_611429378893635_1699657097_n.jpg (http://s268.photobucket.com/user/timw2008/media/Facebook/Sharp%20pointy%20things%20and%20me%20burning%20stu ff/1456099_611429378893635_1699657097_n.jpg.html)
Another view of the chopping contraption,
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj18/timw2008/Facebook/Sharp%20pointy%20things%20and%20me%20burning%20stu ff/1508177_611431088893464_338546996_n.jpg (http://s268.photobucket.com/user/timw2008/media/Facebook/Sharp%20pointy%20things%20and%20me%20burning%20stu ff/1508177_611431088893464_338546996_n.jpg.html)
As in the Vid, notice how my bodily bits are in front of the log/target, this is to prevent me losing some of my leg if the axe (a)misses or (b) glances the log sending a lump of Sweden's finest razor sharp hand forged steel into me!
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj18/timw2008/Facebook/Sharp%20pointy%20things%20and%20me%20burning%20stu ff/1471892_611431772226729_1218448001_n.jpg (http://s268.photobucket.com/user/timw2008/media/Facebook/Sharp%20pointy%20things%20and%20me%20burning%20stu ff/1471892_611431772226729_1218448001_n.jpg.html)
Once the wood is small enough I chop it down smaller, this technique is also in the vid but I have been doing it like this for a while now with 'tother axe dead easy and a whole lot safer.
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj18/timw2008/Facebook/Sharp%20pointy%20things%20and%20me%20burning%20stu ff/997005_611432672226639_1950077726_n.jpg (http://s268.photobucket.com/user/timw2008/media/Facebook/Sharp%20pointy%20things%20and%20me%20burning%20stu ff/997005_611432672226639_1950077726_n.jpg.html)
Hope this is of some use.
Cheers
Tim