the Lost Valley diary...
the Lost Valley diary...
Splitting timber...
A recent bit of wholesome retail therapy
has provided me with hours of great happiness
today. A new hand forged swedish spitting wedge!
A wonderful sunny day, speaking to a great
many inspiring people. The fire and log charring
producing another batch of textured wood and
a charming visitor, a beautiful young pheasant,
with bright rust coloured feathers, casually
foraging on the site...
Using a sledge hammer with the wedge,
hammering into the end of the wood. A crack
gradually starts with an amazing crackling sound
as the fibres part..
The best way is to use two wedges in
combination. As sometimes a wedge can get
stuck!! So going along gently with one wedge,
only hammering it into the wood so far before
moving the wedge along the log a foot.
Turning the log over and opening the seam
from the opposite side and gradually the creating
enough space to use an axe to sever the
last fibres to produce two halves.
A surprisingly quick process not requiring
too much effort due to good tools...
By splitting wood in this way the fire
produces different textures and shapes...
Wednesday, 10 August 2011