Uploaded September 2013 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In this video, I demonstrate how you can split a log without an ax, using only a knife.
To do this, you must have a quality fixed-blade knife. The knife I use is a Mora Bushcraft Black carbon steel knife, and you can see my review of it here (youtu.be/StrvfksDPm0) if you like)
First of all, find the log you want to split and grab yourself a stout hardwood stick for a baton.
Second, carve yourself several wedges out of another hardwood stick. Keep the wedges fairly thin, tapered at the ends, and long enough to do the job (trial and error are a great teaching tool). If you can, try to make your wedges using a stick that is fairly strait-grained.
Third, start the split by batoning a crack into the log. If the log is dry, there may already be a split you can begin to work from. Start the split and open it enough so that you can insert the first wedge.
Fourth, continue to create a split along the diameter of the log, and insert more wedges securely.
Once all the wedges are securely in place, begin to tap them gently with the baton, one by one, so they begin to sink into the log little by little.
As the wedges sink in, change which ones you hit, starting with the wedges that are more loose than the others. As you get the feel of it, you may be able to tap them a little harder, just be carefeul not to destroy the wedges you worked so hard to make.
This is a great technique for those who do not habitually carry an ax or hatchet with them on their journeys into the wild (i.e. ultralight backpackers). It is also a great technique to practice in honing your woodworking skills.
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If this is your first time with us, my name is Dave, and David's Passage is the name of my vlog. This passage in life started with a desire to share my love of the outdoors with the world. My hope is that those who tune into my videos will be inspired to venture out and enjoy all of creation for what it's worth. This video blog features videos on an array of outdoor-related topics, as well as DIY projects that might just help you more fully enjoy the outdoors. New videos come out on Tuesdays at 3pm EST, so please subscribe and be on the lookout for new content soon!
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To keep up with what I'm doing outdoors, please subscribe to my channel and visit: davidspassage.com
You can also connect with me on twitter: twitter.com/davidspassage
and on Facebook: facebook.com/davidspassage
See you outdoors!
Music you heard in this video was from the finger-style guitarist, David Youngman. I highly recommend you check him out.
davidyoungmanmusic.com
I have obtained written permission from the original artist to use his music in my videos.
In this video, I demonstrate how you can split a log without an ax, using only a knife.
To do this, you must have a quality fixed-blade knife. The knife I use is a Mora Bushcraft Black carbon steel knife, and you can see my review of it here (youtu.be/StrvfksDPm0) if you like)
First of all, find the log you want to split and grab yourself a stout hardwood stick for a baton.
Second, carve yourself several wedges out of another hardwood stick. Keep the wedges fairly thin, tapered at the ends, and long enough to do the job (trial and error are a great teaching tool). If you can, try to make your wedges using a stick that is fairly strait-grained.
Third, start the split by batoning a crack into the log. If the log is dry, there may already be a split you can begin to work from. Start the split and open it enough so that you can insert the first wedge.
Fourth, continue to create a split along the diameter of the log, and insert more wedges securely.
Once all the wedges are securely in place, begin to tap them gently with the baton, one by one, so they begin to sink into the log little by little.
As the wedges sink in, change which ones you hit, starting with the wedges that are more loose than the others. As you get the feel of it, you may be able to tap them a little harder, just be carefeul not to destroy the wedges you worked so hard to make.
This is a great technique for those who do not habitually carry an ax or hatchet with them on their journeys into the wild (i.e. ultralight backpackers). It is also a great technique to practice in honing your woodworking skills.
----------
If this is your first time with us, my name is Dave, and David's Passage is the name of my vlog. This passage in life started with a desire to share my love of the outdoors with the world. My hope is that those who tune into my videos will be inspired to venture out and enjoy all of creation for what it's worth. This video blog features videos on an array of outdoor-related topics, as well as DIY projects that might just help you more fully enjoy the outdoors. New videos come out on Tuesdays at 3pm EST, so please subscribe and be on the lookout for new content soon!
----------
To keep up with what I'm doing outdoors, please subscribe to my channel and visit: davidspassage.com
You can also connect with me on twitter: twitter.com/davidspassage
and on Facebook: facebook.com/davidspassage
See you outdoors!
Music you heard in this video was from the finger-style guitarist, David Youngman. I highly recommend you check him out.
davidyoungmanmusic.com
I have obtained written permission from the original artist to use his music in my videos.
