Ya see, I would look at that tree. Browse my extensive mental library of tree identification knowledge (big letters, small matchbook) and consider it some type of hickory. Course Brad does live near the elm city.
And this is what you get splitting elm. I've tried 2 different tree's probably 7 years apart, frozen - fresh cut - doesn't matter... 34T of hydro pressure gets through, but you must run the ram full stroke and fight to get the round apart. For this reason, I'm out. Let elm and gum rot from now on. In no way would I compare elm to hickory for stringy-ness. Not even close!
Well Horkn , Rich L , jo191145 , Woodwhore , The Wood Wolverine, i went a bucked a couple rounds off. One 20", one 7" and tried with the X27 to half them. Maybe ten good whacks each. Nothing Got mad and pulled out the Isocore with the same result. Didnt even get them stuck in the round, just bounced off and "spit" each time on impact. I was bucking the big round and thought for a second it might be basswood as i moved some basswood splits in one of my stacks earlier.
I drove away and left it for the next poor SOB jrider ! I remember the pics of your stack of gum "splits" (I almost called them shreds)
If it was hickory it wasnt any variety i know of. Im well versed with shagbark, pignut, and bitternut and have scored all three in last couple months. The wood had almost no odor to it either.
I second that^^^ If a hoarder simply must, you could always noodle the rounds to quarters for the ride home. That's only if one is desperate...
I got some rounds like this when I first started and would struggle like heck trying to get 1 of the 4 wedges unstuck just working on splitting it. I had some doubts on doing firewood when this was my experience. I did keep 3 of those rounds just to hit to blow off steam. They will take a beating without showing it.
If you'd like Gourley , i could buck a truck full and bring it to your place! Many years of great stress relief to be had!
I am pretty sure those 3 are a lifetime supply. Tell you what bring that truck full to the next g2g. Everyone can get 1 round and first to make 6 splits out of it without hydraulics is the winner.
it would be interesting to watch, but could we get enough hand splitters to participate. Sounds like more of a spectator sport than anything!
Im sure someone smarter take me will chime in and post the chart but I remember reading it does not make as good of a handle, the best handle needs a strait grain to resist impact force. The stringy wood has better lateral impact resistance but ya shouldn’t be using the side of the hammer anyways!
Don't know about smarter than you, or anyone, or not but I would expect it would make an excellent hammer handle or hammer head as the interlocking grain would make it significantly more shock resistant just like Hickory. If it's hard to split, it's going to be hard to break. The handle on my bowl adze and several large gouges that I get from Hans Karlsson in Sweden have Swedish Elm handles. Doesn't appear any different than our Red Elm except a little darker and more colorful. I was hoping the carving axe I just got would have the same Elm handle but this one came with Ash. The only part of it I'm not thrilled with.
