What are the benefits of the humbolt notch? It seems that they are both as good. Some might say the log is saved because the notch is cut out of the stump, but if you want any control to the ground you are going to pull some wood out of the log from the hinge. The old-timer that taught me showed me what he called a hinge notch. We cut hardwood which gets fatter a fue inch from the ground. he would cut a very steep or even 90% notch only 2 or 3 inches into the tree, not wasting any wood. When the tree would fall, there would not be any tear from the hinge. That is the best that i have seen.