And don't roll the log in the dirt if you want to keep the chain sharp. I know you had to do it this time for education purpose, but please boys and girls keep the log en saw out of the dirt.

I usually cut it the good way probably without knowing, just because I liked the long fluffy shavings. Who knew.

Im 65. Ive been doing this for 50 years. My chains cut end ways a lot better than cross ways. Also cut through the knots to open wood. Then finish splitting. Everyone watching this.try all ways and see what works best for you. This video is a good concept. Just wrong cut in my opinion.

Been doing this for 50yrs.have never burnt a chain out yet.halves your effort around/fuel/chain wear etc.

Been hand tool woodworking for years, and very familiar with paying attention to grain direction. I still never made the connection to chainsaw use until this video - makes a ton of sense. Thanks for sharing!

GREAT VID DAN--I'VE BEEN IN THE TREE INDUSTRY FOR OVER 25 YEARS AND NEVER HAD SOMEONE TEACH ME THIS NOR DID I EVER REALIZE ON MY OWN...CAN'T REMEMBER LAST TIME I CUT WITH THE GRAIN BUT NOW I LOOK FORWARD TO IT IF NEEDED. I'M IMPRESSED WITH HOW MANY COMMENTS YOU REPLY TO--BE SAFE --CHEERS👊

Our local utility cut down a large oak tree because it was a danger to the powerline. But they left huge rounds. I bought a ripping chain to cut them in half, and all I did was burn my saw on just one of the rounds. Now I know how to get the job done right. Thank you so much.

Be doing tree work for year's, just didn't realise this. Every day is a school day. Thanks

Thanks for more relevant and informative content Dan. I especially appreciate that even in the rain and ick that you still take time to shoot video.

Thanks Dan, this was really helpful! As a DIYer who has inherited a small orchard, but never been taught how to use a chainsaw, I would never have learned this any other way.

This is a great tip for woodworkers who mill logs on the bandsaw.

Never too old to learn. I'm an 81 y/o occasional chain saw user and didn't know this.

The long rippings are brilliant for starting your fire when dry.

It makes so much sense, and I literally experienced that situation firsthand just a month or two ago and didn't realize what was going on... even noticed the long squiggles vs the fine sawdust as I switched my cutting approach.... yet I didn't connect the dots! Thank you!

Thank you for this video. I tested it this morning and can attest that this method absolutely works. I cut a locust a few years ago that had horribly interlaced grains and was virtually unsplittable. I could spend 20 minutes wearing myself out with maul and wedges splitting a single 15 inch round. I was down to a dozen of the largest rounds and was prepared to haul them to the woods and dump them. I had already tried splitting them from the top and it just roacked my chain in no time. But I saw this video last week and gave it a try. In an hour I had them all sectioned about 3/4 way through into burnable pieces. I can now split them the rest of the way with a wedge.

This is awesome that you posted this as I had to cut a round in half this past weekend to move it and I noticed that instead of chips being produced I was seeing sawdust and my chain quickly dulled. Thank you for posting this video!

I’m actually doing this with big red oak right now. Only twenty five feet to go, sixteen inches at a time. 😂

Thanks a lot. Though I'm not a novice in cutting firewood, I didn't know that trick.

Very good.

Wow. I never knew the difference! This will save me time when processing wood on the job site. And less sharpening is a time saver as well.