Recommendation for a splitting axe - not maul

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kmcdonou

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Mar 16, 2012
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I use a hydraulic splitter to split my firewood. However, before starting a fire I often like to split a few logs further. I have a cheap store bought axe that works for this type of splitting, but I would like to get something better just because I like quality tools. Does anyone have a recommendation for a quality, lighter weight splitting axe? I don't need some heavy maul.
 
A Council Tools boys axe or Council Tools Forest Service edition boys axe should do the trick.
 
Maybe you are thinking about making kindling.I do like this,

[video=vimeo;40371939]http://vimeo.com/40371939[/video]
 
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Square_peg: Those look good. I had my wife measure my axe handle from bottom of the head to the end of the handle and it was 30.5". Your recommendations have a 28" handle. How are handles measured? Is it from the bottom of the head or top of the head? If it is the top then then 28" handle might be too small for what I have been using.

Ernest DuBois: No, I am not talking kindling. I like to put kindling on and then some quartered logs that have been split in half again. Make it easier for the fire to get going.
 
kmcdonou - I believe the lengths are overall lengths of the entire axe. I have the Council Tool FSS boy's axe and it measures just under 28 inches.


Council Tool has a jersey axe with a 32" handle that I've heard excellent things on.
 
kmcdonou said:
Your recommendations have a 28" handle. How are handles measured?
Click to expand...

It's measured by the full length of the handle including what is inside the eye of the axe.

I suggested those axes because in your original post you mentioned wanting a "lighter weight splitting axe". But if you want something on the lighter side of a full size axe then a 3 to 3-1/2 pound axe on a 30" to 36" might suit you better. That 32" jersey that OE mentioned might be a good fit for you.
 
Square_peg said:
Aren't the GB's more of a maul than an axe?
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They have a maul which me and Coop have, but they also have a small and large splitting axe.
The small is too small, I've handled one and its more of a 'fireside friend', but the large splitting axe is nice.
My cousin in 'Bama has one.
It's pretty sweet :cool:
 
I think that since he's just splitting small stuff it would be better to have a multi-use tool that could do some chopping along with the splitting. He said he uses a hydraulic splitter for most of the work so he probably doesn't require a large splitting axe.

Another option would be a house axe if he could find one. They're designed for making kindling. Really just a shorter version of a boys axe.
 
I was thinking the Jersey axe would be fine, but a review on Wood Trekker indicates it has a similar profile the GB Felling Axe, which doesn't really have the profile for splitting. That said, for the size of the wood I am halving, a felling profile would probably work. However, I think something like the GB large splitting axe would be about right.

I would prefer if I could find something a little cheaper, but still of good quality, and with a slightly longer handle. I have nothing against spending the money for a GB, but for the purpose I have in mind for this axe, it won't get used that heavily. Regularly, yes, but not heavily. I only need to split one or two quartered pieces of wood to have enough smaller pieces to start my fire (note, I have a separate kindling pile). Anything cheaper, but still of good quality, that serves as a splitting axe (not maul)?
 
Doing some more searching on the web, it appears my best bet for something less expensive than a GB and yet very effective for splitting is the Fiskars X25 Super Splitter. The Arborist and Firewood forums rave about it. It is only $40 on Amazon and 718 people have given it a rating of 5 stars! If I can only get over the the horror of using fiberglass axe.
 
Lee Valley Tools has what you want: the Iltis splitting axe. My favorite though was an old worn-down double-bit.
 
I typically use one of two 8 lb splitting mauls on site ( were I cut the trees ) and reduce the larger "pieces" down to quarters or so - for better loading into the truck box. At the hydraulic splitter, I keep a boys axe handy to convince hard to split pieces to be totally split and then where I store my seasoned firewood for the wnter I keep a 3 1/2 lb single bit axe for any additional splitting for larger pieces that I want smaller and I use a small 3 lb mini maul to reduce small firewood to kindling for starting fires in the stove. This mini maul gets a lot of use during the six month burning season.

I've seen "splitting axes" offered by many companies, but have always wondered how well they would actually split the oak that I always cut, especially the larger pieces. I wish I could try one out before "the purchase".

Regards, Vic
 
Vic...
My cousin in 'Bama that has the GB large splitting axe uses his to split up big hickory rounds. He's kinda an amateur at it, but he still has no problems splitting up those rounds.
 
I'd go with something under 4 pounds. If you only need to split a few pieces from time to time it won't be worth lifting any more weight than that. Use the twist method and you'll be fine. I also agree with Square, that if you already have a hydraulic splitter a good axe will be more versatile.
 
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