Axe or maul

[waterbuoy]

Over the past 35 years or so I've used axes, maules, wedges etc. A few years ago I was given a Stihl splitting axe and find it to be the best compromise - easy enough to wind up for hours on end, and splits without getting stuck. Nowadays I only split c. 10 tonnes per year, but this does it for me. Wider than an axe, but more forgiving than most mauls and with a wooden shaft to boot.

 

https://www.toolstoday.co.uk/stihl-hickory-splitting-axe-2-8kg?gclid=Cj0KEQjwr7S-BRD96_uw9JK8uNABEiQAujbffG_NfhodJkx-jK_Ol9I1n-x_psYZoR9xCddrF1BEIDEaAlRU8P8HAQ

[Haironyourchest]

x27, but get the long handle version, the shorter handled one (silver coloured head) could be dangerous to your legs if you miss. So light, what a joy.

[Stubby]

x27, but get the long handle version, the shorter handled one (silver coloured head) could be dangerous to your legs if you miss. So light, what a joy.

 

Shorter one is the X25 .

[lux]

Gransfors bruks large splitting maul. You will never have to buy another.

 

I do a bit of blacksmithing / tool making and have to say that whilst the fiskars initially splits well the steel is poor grade and the edge chips and rolls very easily meaning it needs a lot of looking after and wears quickly with sharpening.

[felixthelogchopper]

I'd like to try one of these fiskars some day. I used to do a lot of firewood and all I ever used was a generic fibre glass handled maul that I would pick up from the local

Hardware store.

 

As for the suggestions about using a sharp axe, I always found this was the worst thing for splitting, specially if it was a felling axe. A few hits against a stone to blunt it off would always improve its splitting in my experience

 

 

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Pop down to Maldon and you can have a go with mine. Seeing as I like you, I'll even let you have a go with my log pile as well.

[TreeswingerPerth]

I've a collection of mauls and axes , my X27 gets most use .

[Rich Rule]

 

As for the suggestions about using a sharp axe, I always found this was the worst thing for splitting, specially if it was a felling axe. A few hits against a stone to blunt it off would always improve its splitting in my experience

 

 

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Exactly Steve. I work with a few guys who are proper big lads. They pick an axe 9/10 times over a maul and more often than not it gets stuck and then they wrestle it out.

 

The other day we were splitting some timber and I was managing to cleave to rounds in most case in a single blow. I tried getting one of the big lads to do a little jump just before impact to give it a bit more oomph. He didn't believe me that it makes it easier.

 

Splitting can be a good work out and not too hard a work if the technique is there and the correct tools are used.

[Johny Walker]

got an x27, never spli a log , but why would it wen theres a hydrualic 1,on site

[rapalaman]

X27 here. the Stihl is cheaper at FR Jones - £45.05 incl VAT

And hydraulic splitter for the nastier stuff or when I'm feeling lazy!

[drinksloe]

I had just a cheapish fibre glass splitting mual, and to be fair it was ok done the job really well.

after reading a similar thread on here i treated myself to a Fiskars X27, to be honest i didn't really believe it would be much better.

I was wrong it, its miles better, just unbelievable how good it is. But to be fair i'm sure some of the other top end axes are equally as good, but for 40 odd quid its a bargin.

 

Some of the big rings i've been splitting u can hardly lift as so big and about 18" thick, if u pick round the edge its amazing how well the fiskars handles them.

 

Also it hardly makes u sweat just seems so easy, usually with my old maul after 30mins hard splitting got a sweat on, not now can split for hours effortlessly, i almost miss the workout with the old axe now

 

The other 2 tips i have done to make my life easier is cut/dump my logs on top of a banking so hey roll down a 'race' type thing so i'm splitting at height to save u bending down. (i've got it just below waist height)

And putting an old tyre round ur logs so they don't split and fly every where.

 

Works really well and i now rarely have to bend down to pick up logs or split stuff