Throughout September, Forestry Journal will be sharing individual previews ahead of APF 2024. Don't miss our BIG preview here. 

For the first time, the British Lumberjack Championships will take place at the APF Exhibition.

The championships will see the world's top lumberjacks and lumberjills show their strengths and skills with an axe and cross cut saw, recreating the traditional methods used before the advent of the chainsaw.  

Britain’s athletes will compete in five disciplines: the Underhand Chop, Standing Block Chop, Single Buck, Springboard and Hot Saw. Technically and physically demanding, they test athletes’ handling of axes and saws and their skill with wood.

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A statement from organisers read: "It is going to be a fantastic competition, which will be held over the three days with male and female athletes coming from all over the world.

"We have the top UK athletes,  as well as athletes coming from Germany, Holland, Belgium, Czech Republic, Australia and New Zealand. 

"It will be an amazing spectacle of sawing and chopping disciplines for all attending the show to come and watch."

Under-hand Chop

The log is secured in a horizontal position and foot holds are cut into the top. Standing on top of the log the log is chopped inches from the toes from both sides until it is cut into two.

Standing Block Chop

The log is secured in a vertical position and the competitor stands on the ground.  Competitors cut an opening face on one side then rush around to the other to complete the cut.  The winner is the one whose log is chopped through first.

Single Buck

This is using a two man cross cut saw adapted for use by one person.  The aim is to cut a disc of timber from the log as quickly as possible.  Saws can cost upwards of £1,000 and are as sharp as a surgical scalpel.

The championships will see Britain’s top lumberjacks and lumberjills show their strengths and skills with an axe and cross cut sawThe championships will see Britain’s top lumberjacks and lumberjills show their strengths and skills with an axe and cross cut saw (Image: Stock image)

Springboard Climb

This discipline originates in the giant redwood forests of North America.  Because the massive buttresses often rose many feet above the ground it was found to be almost impossible to fell them at ground level so the cutters would cut pockets into the wood and ascend the tree standing only on steel tipped boards.

Competitors have to ascend the pole by cutting pockets for two boards before standing on the second and cutting the top off the pole similar to the standing block.

The Hot Saw

In the ‘Hot Saw’ discipline, an ultra-high-performance specialist chain saw is used to cut three wooden discs from a block of wood as quickly as possible. Speed and accuracy are both paramount and the competitor must cut the discs fast and clean, within a specific thickness – quite a challenge when you consider their Hot Saw will weigh around 27 kg and its engine will most likely come from a snowmobile or high-performance motorbike!

Forestry Journal is the official media partner of APF and the place to catch all the news, interviews, and highlights from the show. The event takes place from September 19 to 21.