Yup, thanks guys. Whoa Wytheville Virginia! I saw a logging job posted on Forestry Forum in that area and been learning about your town!
Like my signature says, I like working alone. Although my son has been helping me split lately and that's nice.
Lol. Thanks Eric. 9 1/2 hour drive. I am looking into it. How's the rattlesnake action there? How's the bear and pig population?
Rattler's- haven't heard much past few years, but don't know up in the mountains.... Black bears- scattered, not an over abundance that I'm aware of... Pigs- never heard of any in the past 17 years I've been here... Fish- I have some die hard fishing buddies, mostly stream fishin, some lake fishin too and they say "plenty of good sized (sm mouth, bluegills, striper (lake), and several more for sure). What's the skinny on this logging job? Got a link? I couldn't do it, but curious about actual location.
Wythe County they said 50 miles radius of the Wytheville area. Never heard of you guys 'til now. The plains near town looks pretty bare, but the hills look thick.
The blue ridge mountains are nice- not too tall, plenty scenic, and full of firewood.... I mean, trees
Thinking about it, this thread amazes me. In the past I've seen several folks post that it is not so good to be out doing this alone. Lots of folks around these parts say the same thing. Yet I know of many around here too that work alone when cutting wood. I know of only one bad accident that has happened in this area over the years and I doubt anyone could have helped stop the accident.
I have my dog trained to get out of the area while felling trees. I tell him watch out and wave Mt arm from left to right and he runs out a safe distance and watches the tree drop. Next time I am felling I'll get my wife to video it.
For many years it was Dad & I working as a team.I started at 17,that was over 30 years ago.For the past 15 years or so its been me doing 99% of the work - felling,bucking,hauling,splitting,stacking etc. Dad is almost 86 now & has no business doing the heavy stuff.Though occasionally he still likes to walk out where I'm working if he feels like it,its not too hot or snow too deep etc.Bringing me some extra water,sharpen a chain or just to sit on a log & visit for a while.
Hear hear. Nothing is better therapy than cutting, splitting, and stacking. Help is good on occasion, but I prefer to go it alone. Something about not having to explain, instruct, listen to complaining, and so on. The older I get though, the more I appreciate help splitting. Some day I'll need to invest in a splitter. When I'm old, that is. What is old, anyway? Coming up on 52.
I thought the same way as you until this spring. For me, old was when my previously injured right shoulder kept getting worse and took longer and longer to heal after "tweaking it". If you have never had an injury, you likely can keep splitting by hand until you just don't want to assuming you don't over do it. Took the plunge and got my SS this spring. Just rolled my big chopping blocks over to the noodling area for processing. My shoulder is recovering nicely, but I don't want to be tempted to split with the x27 until next fall (if then). I do miss splitting by hand .... but mechanical help is so much easier on my back and shoulder.
I spend a lot of time alone in the woods working as a profession. I like it. And, I can see myself liking cutting firewood alone in the future since getting a splitter. However, up to this point firewood has been an issue of have to to stay prepared. And, being behind if you didn't take every opportunity to stay ahead. It was a full time job that took dedication from everyone that helped to get it done. So, I didn't mind it one bit to have three or four guys going at it. Besides, when swinging a maul it was real nice as when you got tired, you could chunk and stack in the trucks, etc.... BTW, a splitter doesn't replace a maul. Just makes it easier. as, even with a splitter, there is plenty of maul work still. there is always one to big or such that has to be whittled down. God Bless
Even at my age (56) I can still split medium to small rounds faster with a axe & maul than with a splitter. But If we're talking rounds bigger than 20", yardbirds with lots of crotches or species like elm, you can't beat a splitter.
