Uploaded April 2012 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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Tap splitting wood end-on on rock is my favourite way to split sawn firewood and kindling in summer. It's a very safe and efficient way for beginners to learn and respect axe skills, edge protection, and safety too, since no big swings are needed and there is little danger of bounces. Veteran axe users will know all this stuff, but if this video is of any use for your teaching of beginners, please give me feedback on what you think. I have never seen axe tap splitting on rock technique being taught to beginners in classes, but for me it's a natural, safe and fun way to process lots of kindling and dry splits very quickly. I have been using this method on my canoe trips for decades.

Links to some of my other axe splitting tips and techniques videos:
youtube.com/watch?v=d56fxgxNXY8
youtube.com/watch?v=16FF1AzJPZ0
youtube.com/watch?v=Pbr9CjrcpHs
youtube.com/watch?v=fG9w6bEe2s0