The Woodland Regional High School’s Timber Team participates in well-known events from axe throw to bow saw, but one thing that many people might not know about is single buck. 

Single buck–nicknamed the “Misery Whip”–is a saw that is about two meters long that one person uses to cut through a block of wood as quickly as possible. This saw has three cutter teeth and one raker. A cutter tooth cuts through wood while a raker tooth removes the shavings that the cutters previously made. 

The Timber Team only uses the single buck saw at the end of the season as a fun challenge; however, students at Woodland have mixed feelings about it–some love it while others dread it. No matter how students feel about it, Robert Murdy, Timber Team advisor, sets up the saw and everyone takes their turns. 

There are many reasons why a student might not like single buck. A very draining task that takes much longer than bow saw or crosscut, single-buck is only used on the last few practices. On the other hand, some students like single buck because of the challenge. 

Though he joined the team this year, freshman Kai Mayfield has passionate opinions about using the misery whip. 

“I do not like single buck,” Mayfield said. “It is very straining and difficult to get the right technique down.” 

While student’s opinions on single buck differ, they all take on the challenge of cutting through the white pine as fast as possible and use this opportunity to get stronger and work harder on the sport they love. 

Senior Wyatt Finley’s favorite part of the season ending is getting on the deck and trying to complete a cut with the single buck saw. 

“I like single buck,” Finley said. “It makes you think outside the box; you have to find the right rhythm when cutting so you don’t bind the saw so I think it is a nice challenge.”