Splitting wood with a splitting axe: how to do it safely

Short answer: split wood on a sturdy chopping block of about knee height, using a splitting axe with a wide, wedge-shaped head. Stand the log upright, aim at an existing crack or just in front of the centre, and let the weight of the axe do the work. Keep your feet apart, never swing towards your body and keep children and pets well away. Wear safety glasses, work gloves and sturdy safety boots.

Read this article in Dutch as well: Hout kloven met een kloofbijl: zo doe je het veilig.

Why split wood in autumn

October and November mark the start of the heating season. Many people have wood lying around from pruning, a felled tree or a delivered load of logs. Thick logs dry poorly and burn unevenly. That is why you first saw them to length and then split them. Split wood dries much faster because more surface is exposed to the air. Wood you split now is often next year's firewood. How to get the rest of your garden ready for winter is explained in our blog on getting your garden ready for winter.

Splitting axe or ordinary axe?

An ordinary axe has a narrow, sharp head. It is designed to cut across the grain, for example to remove branches or notch a trunk. A splitting axe has a wider head that works like a wedge: it forces the fibres apart. As a result it gets stuck in the wood less easily.

For most jobs choose a 1710 g splitting axe. For kindling a 1240 g splitting axe is enough; for thick logs pick a 2300 g splitting axe. For branches and notching a 1250 g axe or a heavier 2 kg axe with ash handle and secured head is suitable. To learn how to recognise good tools, read our blog on recognising quality tools.

Saw to length first

First saw logs to a fixed length that fits your stove or fireplace, usually 25 to 33 centimetres. Cut the ends as straight as possible, because a slanted piece will topple over on the block. A 760 mm bow saw gets you a long way with thin and medium logs. Use a bow saw blade for wet wood for fresh wood and a bow saw blade for dry wood for wood that has been lying for a while. If you have a lot of wood or thick logs, a cordless chainsaw is faster. Only use a chainsaw if you know how to do so safely, with the right protective clothing.

Step by step

1. Choose a fixed work spot. Flat, dry ground without branches, stones or slippery leaves. Make sure you have at least a few metres of free space around and above you.
2. Set up a chopping block. A thick, straight-cut piece of trunk of about knee height. If you miss, the axe hits the block instead of the ground or your leg.
3. Stand the log upright. Place it at the back of the chopping block. If you miss, the axe hits the block and not your shins.
4. Find the weak spot. Aim at an existing drying crack, or just in front of the centre. Avoid knots, where the grain runs across.
5. Stand well. Feet shoulder-width apart, slightly spread, with the block straight in front of you. Stand far enough away that the axe hits the middle of the log with your arms extended.
6. Strike with control. Lift the axe straight over your head, let your top hand slide down during the swing and let the weight do the work. Hitting accurately matters more than force.
7. Split large pieces in sections. Work from the outside in: first small pieces off the edge, then the centre.

Knotty or tough wood

If a piece will not split, do not keep striking the same spot. Turn it a quarter turn and try another crack. If the axe gets stuck, do not lever it out with the handle, because you will break the handle. Use a splitting wedge instead and drive it into the crack with a 3 kg sledgehammer. Never strike a wedge or metal with the back of an ordinary axe: the head is not made for that and fragments of metal can fly off. More on using heavy hammers correctly is in our blog on hammers.

Splitting fresh or dry wood?

Freshly cut hardwood often splits more easily than wood that has half dried. So split it preferably soon after sawing. Then stack the split wood loosely, bark side up, in a spot with wind and as little rain as possible. Depending on the species and thickness, firewood needs about six to twelve months to dry properly, hardwoods sometimes longer. Do not burn wet wood: it causes a lot of smoke and soot in the flue.

Looking after your axe

• Check the head. Is it firmly attached to the handle? A loose head can fly off. If in doubt, do not use the axe.
• Check the handle. Cracks, splinters or a broken grip mean the axe is no longer safe.
• Keep it sharp. A splitting axe does not need to be razor sharp, but a blunt or damaged edge glances off. Remove burrs with a flat metal file and touch up the edge on a sharpening stone.
• Store it dry, with a cover over the edge, out of reach of children.

Working safely

Always wear safety goggles when splitting. Splinters and bark fly off with every strike. Why eye protection matters so much is explained in our safety tip on preventing eye injuries. Wearing work gloves with nitrile coating gives you a better grip on the handle and prevent splinters in your hands. If you work outside in the cold, lined winter work gloves are more comfortable. Which glove suits which job is covered in our buying guide for work gloves. Wear a high leather S3 safety boot with a steel toe cap: a falling log or a missed strike hits hard. More on this in our blog on choosing safety shoes.

💡 Put an old car tyre on the chopping block and stand the wood inside it. The pieces will not keep falling over and you need to bend down less.

⚠️ Never split wood when you are tired, in a hurry or have been drinking alcohol. Also stop when it gets dark or the ground is slippery from rain or frost. Keep children, pets and onlookers at least a few metres away.

👷 Felling a tree, processing large trunks or working with a chainsaw at height requires knowledge and experience. Leave that to a professional, especially if the tree is near a house, shed or utility lines. If in doubt, ask for advice first.

Frequently asked questions

What weight of splitting axe do I need?

For most people a splitting axe of about 1.7 kg is the best choice. A lighter axe is enough for kindling; for thick or knotty logs choose a heavier one.

Can I split wood with an ordinary axe?

For thin wood and kindling, yes. With thick logs an ordinary axe quickly gets stuck. A splitting axe with a wide head then works much better.

How high should a chopping block be?

About knee height. That way, if you miss, the axe hits the block and not the ground or your legs.

How long does firewood need to dry?

Usually six to twelve months, stacked loosely and covered on top. Hardwoods sometimes need longer.

Where can you find everything for this job?

At Saniso, the online store for DIYers and professionals, you will find tools, materials and personal protective equipment for your job.

• Browse our construction tools and our workwear and safety.
• Create a customer account and order easily.
• Working on a bigger project or want to hand over the job? Request a project quote.
• Book a showroom visit, at least 24 hours in advance.
• Not sure which material suits your job? Get in touch with us.

In doubt about the approach? Feel free to call in a professional.

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