How to Cut Lumber With an Axe
- 1). Equip yourself with the proper personal protective equipment. Wear safety glasses or goggles to protect your eyes. Gloves are useful to help prevent splinters. In addition, wear a hard hat if there is the possibility of being struck from overhead.
- 2). Find an open area with plenty of space. Make certain there are no obstructions overhead that could interfere with axe cutting.
- 3). Choose the proper axe. For most jobs, only a mid-sized, single bit ax is necessary. The average male should use a 3-pound axe with a 30-inch handle. The average female should use a 2- or 2-1/2-pound axe with a slightly shorter handle.
- 4). Place the wood or lumber on the ground lengthwise. Hold the axe at its base with both hands. Bring the axe over your shoulder. Slide the top hand towards the head of the axe. Swing the axe back down. During the swing, slide the top hand back down to the base of the axe handle. The sliding motion of the top hand increases the accuracy of your swing while maintaining sufficient momentum.
- 5). Alternate the angle of each swing to cut a "V" shape into the lumber. Continue to cut the lumber until at least half of its thickness is removed. At this point, the lumber can be split in half by turning it over and stomping forcefully.
Source...