Lay the blade across the center of the branch and drive it in with the hammer. Do not use an axe or splitting wedge. The split must be clean, the cambium and bark not be torn and depth must be controlled. The wood on either side of the split should not be broken. Sometimes a saw cut is used, but this will reduce the amount of pressure in the cleft.
Pressure is necessary to hold the scion in place, and for callus bridge formation.
If the cleft closes up as soon as you remove the blade, you may prop it open with something, like the tip of a screw driver. In the picture at right a special tool has been used. Select dormant or defoliated scion wood of about pencil thickness. The stick should have several viable buds. The basal end of the scion should be cut to a 2-4 cm long tapering wedge.