The BK4 Pine Tree Challenge

[MacTech]

On Sunday, about an hour before a big thunderstorm rolled through, I was out batoning some wood with the 4' when I heard a *CRACK* WHUMP! from out in the field, at first I thought the shockwave from the BK4 being batoned through the wood must've knocked down a large branch, after all, Some Say the BK4 has the ability to fell a tree just by being pointed at it....

Turns out one of our pine trees lost a good sized side branch, overall, the tree seemed healthy, and there was no strong wind, also, pines are a very flexible tree...

So, I got in the tractor, and drove over to check it out...

Of course, since I had my 4 with me, I couldn't help myself, I took a few test chops on very green pine wood, I was able to chop with one strike up to 1/2" branches, and a 1-1.5" branch took about 5 chops with my bad aim....

I plan to see how much I can chop this monster down to size using just the BK4 before switching to the chainsaw, can't argue with free firewood, even if it's pine, pine will burn fine in our outdoor fire pit

 

[NJBillK]

You Might be able to get some Really nice resinous fat wood like material from that piece where it tore free. Look for the condensed tight rings and the turpentine-ish smell. It also should be a bit darker visibly.
Look to see if the core is there, that is what you want.

Otherwise, good story about the 4, I Love mine. It is one of my favorite and most versatile knives.

 

[MacTech]

I started the process of chopping up the limb, branch sizes up to 1.5" fell to a single slash or chop, 2" took a couple strikes, and I was able to chop out a good 3" limb in about 5 minutes...


Chopping wood is definitely a good workout

The edge is still reasonably sharp, a quick touch up on the Sharpmaker should bring it right back

 

[cut it out]

Nice. I just got a 4 and can see it being a awesome bush tool.

 

[echoscout]

I started the process of chopping up the limb, branch sizes up to 1.5" fell to a single slash or chop, 2" took a couple strikes, and I was able to chop out a good 3" limb in about 5 minutes...


Chopping wood is definitely a good workout

The edge is still reasonably sharp, a quick touch up on the Sharpmaker should bring it right back

Like the top pic. Cant wait for my 4 to get here now!

 

[Don W]

That would be a serious challenge to process the entire limb with a 4. Did you break out the chain saw yet.

 

[MacTech]

Not yet, I'm taking the limb down in small manageable sections, I'm in no hurry, it's not like the limb is going anywhere anyway....

It's easier to cut it when it's green, there is a dry dead section and that wood is noticeably more difficult to chop through

I also plan to dry the needles for kindling

So far I've discovered...

Green wood is much easier to process
Chopping horizontally across the grain is more difficult
Chopping/batoning with the grain is amazingly easy
Chopping with the grain dulls the edge far less and less rapidly than across

 

[TheMadIndian]

Not yet, I'm taking the limb down in small manageable sections, I'm in no hurry, it's not like the limb is going anywhere anyway....

It's easier to cut it when it's green, there is a dry dead section and that wood is noticeably more difficult to chop through

I also plan to dry the needles for kindling

So far I've discovered...

Green wood is much easier to process
Chopping horizontally across the grain is more difficult
Chopping/batoning with the grain is amazingly easy
Chopping with the grain dulls the edge far less and less rapidly than across

I never noticed either way, now I'm going to have to pay attention!

 

[MacTech]

Latest progress update, all done with the 4, chopping away in small increments...






Here's the "before" pic;


And the "after" pic;