Went out yesterday morning and split my load of oak. Nothing like having it all done... I didn't do it by hand though because I'm getting too old for that kind of thing. I bought an electric log splitter off of Craigslist for $95 that's older than me and although it leaks a little and looks like heck it works very well, even with this oak.
Hmmm, the dang pictures didn't post. I'll try again.
I've got a double stack that high and wider un-split free for the taking 100% live oak and right next to the driveway. if I had a wood stove I could heat my house free, but as I don't I'm not about to kill myself splitting it to give away. besides a big un-split piece would burn a long time on a campfire. believe me every sore muscle/tendon in my body knows what hard work you just did. and once again I'm sayin that's the last time I ever do anything like that,(until next time).
Thats about one week end worth at the camp, when its around 40 or below. For my self that would last about 4-5 week ends in an open pit.
if you like a big roaring bonfire (a white mans fire)and burning lots of wood and who realy doesn't if in a group sure, depending on availability and ease of gathering. if alone I would never waste that much wood as it is too much work to get. out west where wood was often hard to come by they would bust your onions if you made a fire bigger than you could cover with your hat, just enough to cook/make coffee. on real cold occasions and I'm talking beers freezing in your hands cold we would build a rip snorter. the best fires imo were slow smoldering stumps that would provide plenty of coals for cooking, last for days and could easily be built up or let to die down.
