How to Split Wood With a Splitting Maul

I have been told that when you heat with wood it warms you three times. When you cut it, when you split it and when you burn it. I know this to be true since I have heated my house with wood for a number of years. I cut and process all my own wood, it is challenging but it also has it's rewards.

I find heating with wood to be a very economical way to heat my four bed room home. Last year I put less than three gallons of gas though my chain saw to cut up enough wood to heat for the whole winter.

And now the point of the article, splitting wood with the splitting maul. I have split an enormous amount of wood with mine. I am now on my second maul, this one has the fiberglass handle and it is a pound heavier. Than my first one which makes it a little more difficult to swing but it hits the wood with more impact thus making most pieces of wood easier to split. I have been hearing from my Mother how I need to buy a log splitter but I just keep telling her that I would miss out on so much valuable exercise and the physical challenge is half of the point of burning wood. It builds muscles like crazy, a much better workout than you are going to find at a gym. After you have split a winter's worth of wood, you are strong and nobody can argue with that!

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• wood
• spitting maul
• gloves
• safety glasses

1. Put on your heavy gloves and safety glasses. It's probably a good idea to have on heavy boots and jeans.

2. Set a cut piece of wood on end.

3. Swing the splitting maul striking the wood repeatedly until it splits.