One thing I've taken note of while watching bushcraft/hiking/camping/outdoors type videos online, particularly the real life overnighters and multiday treks people post, is just how often I see people chopping wood for the fire. And how much time and energy they spend doing it.
While I really like having a hatchet with me in the bush, and there are times I use it to chop firewood.... I actually don't use it all that often when it comes to firewood.
I've noticed there are many trips where I don't chop a single piece of timber, yet I still have a raging fire.
That's probably because I will collect small sticks, etc. rather than split timber for kindling, and once it's going well I'll lay larger pieces across the fire to let it burn in half, then lay the halves on the fire.
I do spend time snapping sticks, and stomping on logs to break them. But that's usually far less work than hacking through it with a blade.
Often I see people in videos splitting wood into smaller pieces when I'm not sure that's even necessary.
I feel like it's more common to see people spending ages splitting firewood, than it is to see someone collecting sticks or laying a large log across the fire and let it burn through.
Maybe some people are just having fun playing with their cutting toys, so any excuse to chop something will do.
If that's the case I see no problem with it, considering most bushcrafters should be fairly well stocked with food energy to be able to afford to waste some playing with their bushcraft toys.
But I'd rather get a nice fire going then sit down and enjoy it, than chop wood unnecessarily.
Obviously there are some places where you have no choice, because all you have is a few logs, where all the sticks and small stuff was burned by other people.
I do tend to go to some of the less populated bush locations so I don't usually have that much of a kindling shortage.
Also the "chopless" approach isn't necessarily feasible with a hobo stove, or another cooking method where it doesn't work to just lay a big log on and let it burn through.
There is a downside to my approach too... There's typically a few long logs sticking out at least one side of my camp fire. That is a bit of a safety hazard in the dark, but compare that to the inherent risk of using a hatchet or axe and I'm guessing the risk of tripping over is probably a safer option than the risk of a hatchet ricochet (I've had a few close calls, close enough to draw blood but without any major damage, even when I thought I was being careful).
Curious to know the approach other people take, how much time/energy you expend on preparing firewood, or whether you get away with not chopping any at all.
Are you in an area where there is no kindling?
Do you use a hobo stove which means you need to chop up the wood so it fits?
Any other reasons you have no choice but to chop firewood?
Or do you find you rarely need to chop firewood at all?
Not having to dig our wood out of snow makes a big difference here..
