In this post I want to highlight three distinct axe techniques for splitting firewood in the backcountry. I use these frequently when working and living in the woods but they are especially useful during wilderness expeditions.

These techniques will allow you to split firewood effectively, efficiently and safely even without a chopping block. This is likely to be the case on backcountry trips. Processing wood for fires is often a crucial task during both summer and winter wilderness trips.

In the embedded video below I demonstrate these techniques, including a lot of detail and nuance around the context of their use. Their application also depends on the axe used. In the video, I employ a variety of popular axes common in the bushcraft and wilderness living skills community. In particular, I use a Gransfors Small Forest Axe, a Gransfors Scandinavian Forest Axe, a Hultafors Ekelund Hunting Axe, and a Hultafors Qvarfot Felling Axe.

Hand Splitting with a Half-Axe

The first technique involves using a small forest axe, more generally called a half-length axe. This size of axe is ideal for the so-called “hand splitting technique” without a chopping block. I’ve described this method before in an article on this site, but using a small stump. In the video below, however, we consider the case of having no stump at all. We also consider how we apply the technique efficiently and without damaging our axe edge.

The method itself is simple: kneeling on the ground, place the wood on a horizontal surface, align the axe over the wood, and split it by embedding the axe into the wood. This technique is controlled and safe, making it suitable for use around campfires and in confined spaces like tent vestibules.

Key Points:

• Kneel to ensure safety and control.
• Split wood by aligning the axe over a horizontal log.
• Ideal for splitting kindling and smaller fuel pieces.
• Works best with straight-grained woods like pine, ash, and sweet chestnut.

See the video embedded below for full details…

Over-Log Splitting with a Three-Quarter Length Axe

For larger diameter wood pieces, a three-quarter length axe, such as the Scandinavian Forest Axe, is more effective. This technique involves placing the round of wood to be split on the far side of a horizontal log at right angles, with the round angled up and onto the top of the horizontal log. The round of wood being split, is again lined up with its long axis aligned with the axe. The axe is then brought down in an arc to strike the round towards one end.

The longer handle and heavier head of the three-quarter axe provide more leverage and power, making it easier to split thicker and longer pieces of wood. This method is particularly useful in winter camping scenarios where larger diameter logs are common.

Key Points:

• Use a three-quarter length axe for more leverage and power.
• Split wood by placing it at right angles over a larger log and striking it at one end with the axe.
• Suitable for splitting larger logs than you can hold in one hand.
• Ensure the axe does not extend beyond the log to avoid hitting the ground.

See the video embedded below for full details…

Batoning with an Axe

The final technique, batoning, involves using an axe to split wood by striking it with a baton. This method is effective for wood too large or too tough to be split by either of the above two techniques. To apply this technique hold the axe in your non-dominant hand, place it on the wood, and strike the poll of the axe head with a sturdy piece of wood (baton). This technique allows you to split even tough or knotty wood, which might be challenging to split with direct strikes.

Key Points:

• Hold the axe in your non-dominant hand and strike it with a baton.
• Effective for splitting large, tough, or knotty wood.
• Provides controlled splitting without damaging the axe or risking injury.

Watch the video on this and the other essential backcountry axe techniques below…

Watch The Video…

Additional Considerations

When selecting wood for these techniques, consider the size, grain, and presence of knots. Straight-grained woods are easier to split, while knotty or twisted grains can be challenging.

Always check both ends of the wood for large side branches or knots. Be intentional when sawing wood sections before splitting, so they are sized appropriately. This ensures more manageable pieces that are of suitable dimensions for the technique being applied. For instance, when dealing with dead wood for firewood that has clusters of side branches (and therefore concentrations of knots), choose to cut sections between these concentrations of knots. This will give you cleaner rounds that are easier to split.

If the inclusion of knots in the sawed round is unavoidable, cut the round such that the knots are at one end, rather than in the middle. This will enable you to attack the knots directly with the axe bit using the above techniques. Setting up the round with all the knots at one end also allows you to attack the non-knotty end, and once cleaved there, use leverage to prise apart the opposite knotty end.

The Value Of Multiple Techniques

Hand-splitting technique with a half-axe, over-log splitting with a three-quarter length axe, and batoning with an axe are three essential methods for efficiently processing firewood in the backcountry. Each technique has its ideal context, size and the type of wood it works best with. Plus there are some cross-overs between them (see the video for full details). By understanding and practicing these essential axe techniques for backcountry firewood splitting, you can ensure you always have a safe and effective way to prepare firewood during your outdoor adventures.

Re-finish Your Axe Handle

In the video I mention that the handles of my axes have been re-finished. Remember to download my free PDF guide on how to refinish your axe handle for better performance and durability.

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Bushcraft Show Axe Skills Demo

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