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I might get the 17. I got the hatchet and x25 for the trunk. I find the x25 to be on the heavy side, but it sure does split up those camp fire logs.
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Best (Car) Camping Splitter?
- Thread starter pinnah
- Start date
I might get the 17. I got the hatchet and x25 for the trunk. I find the x25 to be on the heavy side, but it sure does split up those camp fire logs.
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- May 19, 2007
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Another vote for the fiskars splitter. They do the job well, and are very tough. I would hesitate to recommend a timber handled splitting maul to someone who is not already familiar with axes and maintenance, But for a back of the car tool to keep life simple. the maul will do it. just keep everyone else well back, they can and do throw chunks.
By hatchet, do you mean the X11? If so, would like to hear your experience with it and why the X17 sounds more attractive.
Could you say more about your experience with the Fireside Friend? Can it be sharpened reasonably? The ones I've seen in stores seem a awfully blunt.
Can you control it one handed for chipping off kindling? I have no doubt about its ability to center split logs with its heft but it's so heavy (4#) I don't know if I could handle it for kindling.
Lastly, can you talk about your technique for end or side splitting? Do you use it staniding or kneeling? My hope would be given the weight that it's powerful enough to easily split from a kneeling position. Would that be true?
Thanks again!
Been using a wetterlings fine forester the last few months and works perfect. Especially for car camping, but at a little over 2lbs is easy to pack out, fits right on the side of my pack or rolled up in a wool blanket with a cordage strap to sling. Split plenty of boxed hardwood, mostly from striking corners similar to whats being done in that video for kindling. Easy to work with and the carpenter's style head offers some comfort for choking on the blade for fine work. I used to use hatchets, but having that extra leverage really makes the job easy.
B34Ns,
Do I understand that the Fine Forester combines a 1.5# head with a 23" handle?
How do you find that combination? I sort of thinking that if I'm going to make room to pack a 23" tool (as opposed to an 18"), I might as well go up to something with a heavier head.
Do you find the longer handle and lighter head to be a workable solution?
Do I understand that the Fine Forester combines a 1.5# head with a 23" handle?
How do you find that combination? I sort of thinking that if I'm going to make room to pack a 23" tool (as opposed to an 18"), I might as well go up to something with a heavier head.
Do you find the longer handle and lighter head to be a workable solution?
Yea, from my best est 1.4# head, 24 inch handle. 2.35# total.
Trying to split hardwood from a box of hotwood without scoring can be done, just as long as you use a couple logs to make a little chopping base, and so the axe head doesn't go into the ground. I had the best luck with taking a few inches of kindling off a couple logs before splitting. Although that fiskars looks pretty good given the price compared to what I think would be the best for car camping, the wetterlings swedish forest small splitting axe works really well. That's a 3.2# head with 20" handle. Those work even better for just dead splitting those kind of logs. I just bought the forester for it's portability for long backpacking trips as well as what I need for car camping/beach bonfire days as well.
Trying to split hardwood from a box of hotwood without scoring can be done, just as long as you use a couple logs to make a little chopping base, and so the axe head doesn't go into the ground. I had the best luck with taking a few inches of kindling off a couple logs before splitting. Although that fiskars looks pretty good given the price compared to what I think would be the best for car camping, the wetterlings swedish forest small splitting axe works really well. That's a 3.2# head with 20" handle. Those work even better for just dead splitting those kind of logs. I just bought the forester for it's portability for long backpacking trips as well as what I need for car camping/beach bonfire days as well.
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- Jan 22, 2007
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- 3,130
I use the X15 for camp splitting. Works just fine, better than my old X7 by far.
I sharpened it with a smooth file when I first got it and maintain the edge with a "puck" style stone. I don't keep it as sharp as my hatchets but do try to maintain the edge. It holds up well if you don't loan it to a family member who smashes it into the ground every other swing
I can control it with one hand and for finer more precise cutting choke up on the handle a little for better control.
Most of the time I use it kneeling. I don't swing it with the same force I use on a hatchet. I try to let the momentum generated by the weight of the head do most of the work. I don't think it is as effective as a full size splitting maul but for the size it performs good.
I can control it with one hand and for finer more precise cutting choke up on the handle a little for better control.
Most of the time I use it kneeling. I don't swing it with the same force I use on a hatchet. I try to let the momentum generated by the weight of the head do most of the work. I don't think it is as effective as a full size splitting maul but for the size it performs good.