Seemingly trivial things that cheer you up

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  • briantrumpet
    briantrumpet Posts: 20,348
    surrey_commuter said:

    briantrumpet said:

    surrey_commuter said:

    Splitting freshly cut logs


    Now you're talking (as long as it's not old elm)...
    Eucalyptus- for such a hard wood it was like a knife through butter

    I actually like something that gives a bit of a fight. Do you know the technique of bringing the axe down inverted, with the log trailing? It means the whole weight of the log helps do the splitting, and you can do your 'world's strongest man' impersonation... very satisfying.
    https://www.facebook.com/unanglaisendiois
  • capt_slog
    capt_slog Posts: 3,973
    pblakeney said:

    The calmest woman in the world?

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-us-canada-53482294/woman-takes-selfie-as-wild-bear-sniffs-her-hair

    Not calm, just oblivious to the danger.


    The older I get, the better I was.

  • pblakeney
    pblakeney Posts: 27,326
    So stupid or aware and keeping calm to not elevate the situation.
    I'll pick the nicer response.
    The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
    I am not sure. You have no chance.
    Veronese68 wrote:
    PB is the most sensible person on here.
  • surrey_commuter
    surrey_commuter Posts: 18,867
    briantrumpet said:

    surrey_commuter said:

    briantrumpet said:

    surrey_commuter said:

    Splitting freshly cut logs


    Now you're talking (as long as it's not old elm)...
    Eucalyptus- for such a hard wood it was like a knife through butter

    I actually like something that gives a bit of a fight. Do you know the technique of bringing the axe down inverted, with the log trailing? It means the whole weight of the log helps do the splitting, and you can do your 'world's strongest man' impersonation... very satisfying.
    I know what you mean and have some holly that with knots poses a challenge. I got given some eucalyptus about two years old and over a foot in diameter. I have an axe and a maul and both bounced off. I sharpened both, some bounced some stuck which could them be smited with a sledgehammer umpteen times. I then sawed the rounds in half and with my new improved aim managed to work my way around the edges.

    In comparison the eucalyptus that had been off the tree for two hours only needed the maul dropped from a height of bout two feet and went straight through.

    Acquiring free logs is like a hobby. I now have this winter and the one after sorted. The fresh eucalyptus is a start on the year after
  • briantrumpet
    briantrumpet Posts: 20,348
    surrey_commuter said:

    briantrumpet said:

    surrey_commuter said:

    briantrumpet said:

    surrey_commuter said:

    Splitting freshly cut logs


    Now you're talking (as long as it's not old elm)...
    Eucalyptus- for such a hard wood it was like a knife through butter

    I actually like something that gives a bit of a fight. Do you know the technique of bringing the axe down inverted, with the log trailing? It means the whole weight of the log helps do the splitting, and you can do your 'world's strongest man' impersonation... very satisfying.
    I know what you mean and have some holly that with knots poses a challenge. I got given some eucalyptus about two years old and over a foot in diameter. I have an axe and a maul and both bounced off. I sharpened both, some bounced some stuck which could them be smited with a sledgehammer umpteen times. I then sawed the rounds in half and with my new improved aim managed to work my way around the edges.

    In comparison the eucalyptus that had been off the tree for two hours only needed the maul dropped from a height of bout two feet and went straight through.

    Acquiring free logs is like a hobby. I now have this winter and the one after sorted. The fresh eucalyptus is a start on the year after

    If you're resorting to a sledgehammer, a wood grenade is much better, and is the only way to split elm. Otherwise the technique of getting a good sharp axe well-enough stuck into the log, then lifting the whole lot above your head, letting the weight of the log turn it around 180 degrees, then smiting the back of the axe head down on your chopping block is incredibly satisfying, especially if you have to do it two or three times to get the log to explode.

    Now I describe the technique, I feel like I should have been wearing a safety helmet...

    And yes, free logs is where it's at, as anything you buy is likely to be expensive and shït (green and softwood). It was easy when I lived or worked on a farm, not so easy now I'm in town. I'm glad to have found a really genuine supplier of logs in France: proper scavenged firewood is in short supply in the quantities needed.
    https://www.facebook.com/unanglaisendiois
  • TheBigBean
    TheBigBean Posts: 21,915
    Forgive my ignorance, but don't most people use chainsaws?
  • briantrumpet
    briantrumpet Posts: 20,348
    edited July 2020
    TheBigBean said:

    Forgive my ignorance, but don't most people use chainsaws?


    For cutting logs, yes (though a good bow saw is remarkably quick) - but for splitting either an axe or a log splitter is necessary - splitting is essential to get them properly seasoned.
    https://www.facebook.com/unanglaisendiois
  • Pross
    Pross Posts: 43,463
    Our neighbours cut down their eucalyptus tree a few years ago and my wife decided we'd have one of the sections to use as a rustic table in the garden. I got instructed by the wife to bring it over to our house while she was out. The log was about 2 foot in diameter and a foot in length which by my rough calculations made it around 40kg and an awkward shape to carry. I managed to get it to the top of the 3 steps down to our front door and lost my balance resulting in me falling down the steps and getting hot on the thigh by the log. Luckily I got my arms clear just in time as it would have smashed a few bones, as it was I had the worse swelling and bruising I've ever had. When the wife got home and saw what I'd done I got asked why I didn't wait for her to get back to help me but I know the injuries I got were preferable to the response had I not got it while she was out as instructed. It never did make it into our garden and is still sat as a 'feature' by our front door. I'd never realised what a dense wood it was until that day.
  • briantrumpet
    briantrumpet Posts: 20,348
    I ought to list "a good bow saw" here. Chainsaws really are quite inefficient, as they necessarily remove quite a lot of the log as sawdust, whereas a good bow saw produces hardly any, as it's a wafer-thin blade, and they stay sharp for ages (unlike chainsaws).

    I was amused one time when my (French) neighbour, seeing me bow-sawing and wanting to help, started up his poorly maintained little chainsaw.. about five minutes later, he'd still not got through the log that would have taken me a minute with my bow saw.
    https://www.facebook.com/unanglaisendiois
  • TheBigBean
    TheBigBean Posts: 21,915
    briantrumpet said:

    TheBigBean said:

    Forgive my ignorance, but don't most people use chainsaws?


    For cutting logs, yes (though a good bow saw is remarkably quick) - but for splitting either an axe or a log splitter is necessary - splitting is essential to get them properly seasoned.
    Thanks. Strangely, I think I actually knew that, but couldn't remember.

    My parents trade barn usage for free logs. Not sure that is as satisfying though.
  • TheBigBean
    TheBigBean Posts: 21,915
    briantrumpet said:

    I ought to list "a good bow saw" here. Chainsaws really are quite inefficient, as they necessarily remove quite a lot of the log as sawdust, whereas a good bow saw produces hardly any, as it's a wafer-thin blade, and they stay sharp for ages (unlike chainsaws).

    I was amused one time when my (French) neighbour, seeing me bow-sawing and wanting to help, started up his poorly maintained little chainsaw.. about five minutes later, he'd still not got through the log that would have taken me a minute with my bow saw.

    I mentioned above I have been enjoying a new series of Alone. They are allowed ten basic items (definitely no chainsaw) and then need to live off the land, so all shelters need to be made using primitive techniques, and food sourced similarly. It is self-filmed and the longest survivor wins. Perhaps you would like it.
  • briantrumpet
    briantrumpet Posts: 20,348
    TheBigBean said:

    briantrumpet said:

    I ought to list "a good bow saw" here. Chainsaws really are quite inefficient, as they necessarily remove quite a lot of the log as sawdust, whereas a good bow saw produces hardly any, as it's a wafer-thin blade, and they stay sharp for ages (unlike chainsaws).

    I was amused one time when my (French) neighbour, seeing me bow-sawing and wanting to help, started up his poorly maintained little chainsaw.. about five minutes later, he'd still not got through the log that would have taken me a minute with my bow saw.

    I mentioned above I have been enjoying a new series of Alone. They are allowed ten basic items (definitely no chainsaw) and then need to live off the land, so all shelters need to be made using primitive techniques, and food sourced similarly. It is self-filmed and the longest survivor wins. Perhaps you would like it.

    I guess that requires access to TV by some means... ;)
    https://www.facebook.com/unanglaisendiois
  • TheBigBean
    TheBigBean Posts: 21,915
    briantrumpet said:

    TheBigBean said:

    briantrumpet said:

    I ought to list "a good bow saw" here. Chainsaws really are quite inefficient, as they necessarily remove quite a lot of the log as sawdust, whereas a good bow saw produces hardly any, as it's a wafer-thin blade, and they stay sharp for ages (unlike chainsaws).

    I was amused one time when my (French) neighbour, seeing me bow-sawing and wanting to help, started up his poorly maintained little chainsaw.. about five minutes later, he'd still not got through the log that would have taken me a minute with my bow saw.

    I mentioned above I have been enjoying a new series of Alone. They are allowed ten basic items (definitely no chainsaw) and then need to live off the land, so all shelters need to be made using primitive techniques, and food sourced similarly. It is self-filmed and the longest survivor wins. Perhaps you would like it.

    I guess that requires access to TV by some means... ;)
    No. It requires access to the internet as it is not on TV in the UK.

    I would love to see a UK version, but my suspicion is that no one has the skills, there is nowhere remote enough to host it and the laws in this country don't allow much hunting.
  • rjsterry
    rjsterry Posts: 29,551
    edited July 2020
    TBB, I think you will like this channel. Bow saws indeed! First find a suitable stone and grind it into an axe head...

    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAL3JXZSzSm8AlZyD3nQdBA
    1985 Mercian King of Mercia - work in progress (Hah! Who am I kidding?)
    Pinnacle Monzonite

    Part of the anti-growth coalition
  • rjsterry
    rjsterry Posts: 29,551
    edited July 2020
    I'm also looking forward to BT's axe injury reports with that technique



    1985 Mercian King of Mercia - work in progress (Hah! Who am I kidding?)
    Pinnacle Monzonite

    Part of the anti-growth coalition
  • briantrumpet
    briantrumpet Posts: 20,348
    edited July 2020
    rjsterry said:

    I'm also looking forward to BT's axe injury reports with that technique


    Well in one respect, it's safer: once you've buried the axe blade into the log, the next time you bring yer chopper down, the sharp end is on the trailing edge. Given how sharp I keep the blade, I'm happy with that.
    https://www.facebook.com/unanglaisendiois
  • rjsterry
    rjsterry Posts: 29,551
    edited July 2020
    I was thinking more of things bouncing off the chopping block if the log is eccentric. And lifting a log above your head, wedged onto the axe. What could possibly go wrong? No need to worry about the sharpness - much less dangerous than a blunt axe.
    1985 Mercian King of Mercia - work in progress (Hah! Who am I kidding?)
    Pinnacle Monzonite

    Part of the anti-growth coalition
  • rjsterry
    rjsterry Posts: 29,551
    surrey_commuter said:

    briantrumpet said:

    surrey_commuter said:

    briantrumpet said:

    surrey_commuter said:

    Splitting freshly cut logs


    Now you're talking (as long as it's not old elm)...
    Eucalyptus- for such a hard wood it was like a knife through butter

    I actually like something that gives a bit of a fight. Do you know the technique of bringing the axe down inverted, with the log trailing? It means the whole weight of the log helps do the splitting, and you can do your 'world's strongest man' impersonation... very satisfying.
    I know what you mean and have some holly that with knots poses a challenge. I got given some eucalyptus about two years old and over a foot in diameter. I have an axe and a maul and both bounced off. I sharpened both, some bounced some stuck which could them be smited with a sledgehammer umpteen times. I then sawed the rounds in half and with my new improved aim managed to work my way around the edges.

    In comparison the eucalyptus that had been off the tree for two hours only needed the maul dropped from a height of bout two feet and went straight through.

    Acquiring free logs is like a hobby. I now have this winter and the one after sorted. The fresh eucalyptus is a start on the year after
    Surely if the eucalyptus is 2 years old there's no need for splitting for seasoning and you're just getting it small enough to fit in your stove.
    1985 Mercian King of Mercia - work in progress (Hah! Who am I kidding?)
    Pinnacle Monzonite

    Part of the anti-growth coalition
  • TheBigBean
    TheBigBean Posts: 21,915
    rjsterry said:

    TBB, I think you will like this channel. Bow saws indeed! First find a suitable stone and grind it into an axe head...

    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAL3JXZSzSm8AlZyD3nQdBA

    That looks like it is in the tropics, so very different techniques. Alone targets a N American audience, so they have never done it in the tropics which is a shame as it could clearly be interesting. The element of competition and survival does change things though - I doubt the guy in the video would be expending the energy on a tiled roof if he hadn't eaten for weeks. That's in now way meant to knock his efforts. which are clearly stellar.
  • rjsterry
    rjsterry Posts: 29,551
    TheBigBean said:

    rjsterry said:

    TBB, I think you will like this channel. Bow saws indeed! First find a suitable stone and grind it into an axe head...

    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAL3JXZSzSm8AlZyD3nQdBA

    That looks like it is in the tropics, so very different techniques. Alone targets a N American audience, so they have never done it in the tropics which is a shame as it could clearly be interesting. The element of competition and survival does change things though - I doubt the guy in the video would be expending the energy on a tiled roof if he hadn't eaten for weeks. That's in now way meant to knock his efforts. which are clearly stellar.
    Yes, he's more interested in how far you can get with no modern tools whatsoever. The managed to smelt some iron as well. I think he's in Australia.
    1985 Mercian King of Mercia - work in progress (Hah! Who am I kidding?)
    Pinnacle Monzonite

    Part of the anti-growth coalition
  • TheBigBean
    TheBigBean Posts: 21,915
    rjsterry said:

    TheBigBean said:

    rjsterry said:

    TBB, I think you will like this channel. Bow saws indeed! First find a suitable stone and grind it into an axe head...

    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAL3JXZSzSm8AlZyD3nQdBA

    That looks like it is in the tropics, so very different techniques. Alone targets a N American audience, so they have never done it in the tropics which is a shame as it could clearly be interesting. The element of competition and survival does change things though - I doubt the guy in the video would be expending the energy on a tiled roof if he hadn't eaten for weeks. That's in now way meant to knock his efforts. which are clearly stellar.
    Yes, he's more interested in how far you can get with no modern tools whatsoever. The managed to smelt some iron as well. I think he's in Australia.
    I've given this quite a lot of thought. Having clay is really useful, but the one thing that is hardest to replicate is a saucepan for cooking. Meat can be cooked on hot stones, but to boil water you really need a saucepan. Of course, years ago, people didn't boil the water.
  • surrey_commuter
    surrey_commuter Posts: 18,867
    rjsterry said:

    surrey_commuter said:

    briantrumpet said:

    surrey_commuter said:

    briantrumpet said:

    surrey_commuter said:

    Splitting freshly cut logs


    Now you're talking (as long as it's not old elm)...
    Eucalyptus- for such a hard wood it was like a knife through butter

    I actually like something that gives a bit of a fight. Do you know the technique of bringing the axe down inverted, with the log trailing? It means the whole weight of the log helps do the splitting, and you can do your 'world's strongest man' impersonation... very satisfying.
    I know what you mean and have some holly that with knots poses a challenge. I got given some eucalyptus about two years old and over a foot in diameter. I have an axe and a maul and both bounced off. I sharpened both, some bounced some stuck which could them be smited with a sledgehammer umpteen times. I then sawed the rounds in half and with my new improved aim managed to work my way around the edges.

    In comparison the eucalyptus that had been off the tree for two hours only needed the maul dropped from a height of bout two feet and went straight through.

    Acquiring free logs is like a hobby. I now have this winter and the one after sorted. The fresh eucalyptus is a start on the year after
    Surely if the eucalyptus is 2 years old there's no need for splitting for seasoning and you're just getting it small enough to fit in your stove.
    that was my problem the axe and maul were literally bouncing off or going in 1cm
  • surrey_commuter
    surrey_commuter Posts: 18,867
    briantrumpet said:

    I ought to list "a good bow saw" here. Chainsaws really are quite inefficient, as they necessarily remove quite a lot of the log as sawdust, whereas a good bow saw produces hardly any, as it's a wafer-thin blade, and they stay sharp for ages (unlike chainsaws).

    I was amused one time when my (French) neighbour, seeing me bow-sawing and wanting to help, started up his poorly maintained little chainsaw.. about five minutes later, he'd still not got through the log that would have taken me a minute with my bow saw.

    having just fitted a new blade to my bow saw I can add that to trivial things that cheer me up
  • rjsterry
    rjsterry Posts: 29,551
    surrey_commuter said:

    rjsterry said:

    surrey_commuter said:

    briantrumpet said:

    surrey_commuter said:

    briantrumpet said:

    surrey_commuter said:

    Splitting freshly cut logs


    Now you're talking (as long as it's not old elm)...
    Eucalyptus- for such a hard wood it was like a knife through butter

    I actually like something that gives a bit of a fight. Do you know the technique of bringing the axe down inverted, with the log trailing? It means the whole weight of the log helps do the splitting, and you can do your 'world's strongest man' impersonation... very satisfying.
    I know what you mean and have some holly that with knots poses a challenge. I got given some eucalyptus about two years old and over a foot in diameter. I have an axe and a maul and both bounced off. I sharpened both, some bounced some stuck which could them be smited with a sledgehammer umpteen times. I then sawed the rounds in half and with my new improved aim managed to work my way around the edges.

    In comparison the eucalyptus that had been off the tree for two hours only needed the maul dropped from a height of bout two feet and went straight through.

    Acquiring free logs is like a hobby. I now have this winter and the one after sorted. The fresh eucalyptus is a start on the year after
    Surely if the eucalyptus is 2 years old there's no need for splitting for seasoning and you're just getting it small enough to fit in your stove.
    that was my problem the axe and maul were literally bouncing off or going in 1cm
    There's a reason why people used to only work green wood. I have a pile of sycamore logs, which were too hard to split after only a few weeks. They are beautiful for carving though.
    1985 Mercian King of Mercia - work in progress (Hah! Who am I kidding?)
    Pinnacle Monzonite

    Part of the anti-growth coalition
  • pinno
    pinno Posts: 52,317
    pblakeney said:

    So stupid or aware and keeping calm to not elevate the situation.
    I'll pick the nicer response.

    Animals sense danger. It may be that the woman was so calm (and generally not on the menu anyway), that the bear never felt threatened.
    seanoconn - gruagach craic!
  • rjsterry
    rjsterry Posts: 29,551
    I know this is nonsense off Twitter, but...

    1985 Mercian King of Mercia - work in progress (Hah! Who am I kidding?)
    Pinnacle Monzonite

    Part of the anti-growth coalition
  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    Sort of renews my faith in the idiocies of mankind that there must be thousands of cyclist and triathletes out there that seem to feel the need to have stylish new shades each year. I base this idea on the proliferation of hundreds of eyewear companies producing dozens of types of eyewear, seen in media, print, television, etc. How else could all these companies survive without the vanity of cyclists?
  • webboo
    webboo Posts: 6,087
    I have asked you a million times not to exaggerate.
  • pinno
    pinno Posts: 52,317
    dennisn said:

    Sort of renews my faith in the idiocies of mankind that there must be thousands of cyclist and triathletes out there that seem to feel the need to have stylish new shades each year. I base this idea on the proliferation of hundreds of eyewear companies producing dozens of types of eyewear, seen in media, print, television, etc. How else could all these companies survive without the vanity of cyclists?

    It's the price too - they have to be expensive. And don't start on the reviews - it's only a pair of shades, ffs.

    I have a pair of Bolle Contour 'safety glasses' - £8.99 for the ordinary smoke lens one's, FWIW. They work fine and you won't have palpitations if they come off, get smashed, get lost, get nicked.
    seanoconn - gruagach craic!
  • kingstongraham
    kingstongraham Posts: 28,152
    pinno said:

    dennisn said:

    Sort of renews my faith in the idiocies of mankind that there must be thousands of cyclist and triathletes out there that seem to feel the need to have stylish new shades each year. I base this idea on the proliferation of hundreds of eyewear companies producing dozens of types of eyewear, seen in media, print, television, etc. How else could all these companies survive without the vanity of cyclists?

    It's the price too - they have to be expensive. And don't start on the reviews - it's only a pair of shades, ffs.

    I have a pair of Bolle Contour 'safety glasses' - £8.99 for the ordinary smoke lens one's, FWIW. They work fine and you won't have palpitations if they come off, get smashed, get lost, get nicked.
    I had a pair of these Bolle ones for a few years and realised that maybe I worried too much because they were still fine, and got some nicer ones.

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