Maul as wedge

[whitedoor]

I seem to remember someone telling me that it's a bad idea to hit the poll of a maul in a log with a sledge hammer. Is this true and, if so, why?

 

[Cliff Stamp]

Splitting mauls are designed for that, most axes however are not and maul level impacts can deform the eye.

-Cliff

 

[whitedoor]

Thanks, Cliff. I have this beautiful Granfors Bruks maul and was afraid to hurt it.

 

[Cliff Stamp]

I have the same maul, it is designed to be able to do that. It also works well as a maul on the splitting wedge they make.

-Cliff

 

[whitedoor]

So you can use it as a sledge hammer too?

 

[Cliff Stamp]

Yes, it is designed for it.

-Cliff

 

[whitedoor]

Thanks again, Cliff.

 

[Cliff Stamp]

As a side note, I of course would not use this as a primary maul, simply because there is a very sharp edge on the other side, and mauls tend to hit rocks and things which can smash in the face. But used on a splitting wedge, there are two fairly flat surfaces hitting each other and thus there is little impaction. I have used the maul and wedge to split over a thousand rounds, and some of them were just nasty and required two wedges and a lot of pounding. They are made to be used.

-Cliff