How to spilt large pieces of wood with an ax?

A regular full sized axe isn't really ideal for splitting. A maul and wedges is better. batonning a long knife through there isn't too bad. Nowadays they have this splitting maul axe thing. Looks like a triangular block of steel on a steel bar. It makes short work of splitting. I sure wish they had them when I was a kid. I spent a lot of back breaking time splitting the firewood.

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200325119_200325119

BTW, you should never hammer with the back of a regular axe. That hole the handle goes through is thin walled and the face isn't usually hardened. Its not safe.
 
I do use the method described here p20 (learned it from my father)

http://www.gransfors.com/downloads/franskyxbok/12.html

(I can't see the english language version available for download but pictures seem quite self explananing).

It does work pretty well with straight grained, not too dry (don't wait too much for an initial splitting) wood. Knotty wood is another story.

One problem is getting the axe stuck in some piece of knotty wood. Hard to get it out.

Generally use an "ordinary" large axe. Generally rather an expensive axe since better quality brings little benefits for splitting and it does damage the tool.
 
Ravaillac said:
I do use the method described here p20 (learned it from my father)

http://www.gransfors.com/downloads/franskyxbok/12.html

(I can't see the english language version available for download but pictures seem quite self explananing).

It does work pretty well with straight grained, not too dry (don't wait too much for an initial splitting) wood. Knotty wood is another story.

One problem is getting the axe stuck in some piece of knotty wood. Hard to get it out.

Generally use an "ordinary" large axe. Generally rather an expensive axe since better quality brings little benefits for splitting and it does damage the tool.
Click to expand...

Nice link:thumbup:

This is the way I've always done it. Easiest to split the wood while it is relatively fresh.

If the axe gets stuck badly I've used a wedge pounded in close to it to get it free (not too close).

Good axes are always better, but the splitting mauls generally take a lot of abuse and I agree that the benefits of an expensive one is very small.

Sverre
 
You have 2 nice hardwoods. That hickory will literally break your balls hand splitting. If you have a fair amount go rent a log splitter for a day for less than $100. MORE than worth it. I started burning 5 years ago. I took about 20 swings, put down the maul and went out and purchased a 27 ton log splitter. By far the best investment I made. I can split 3 cords of wood before lunch.
 
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