Simple question

Ming65

Ming65

Joined
Sep 4, 2002
Messages
2,177
Hi Guys,

My axe broke this week. It was a generic harware bought one and being a gear knut I thought I'd like to seek out a good quality one to replace it. One that would last a few years and that would be a pleasure to use.

My main use is to split and occasionally cur firewood. The wood is often very hard (Jarrah and Tuart) and very hard to split as it is knotty with spiral grain (Tuart).

Does anybody care to list some brands for me?
 
If you are splitting that class of wood you want a splitting maul not an axe. I have not used the GB version, but have used several other axes by them and they were all top notch. However if I was just looking for a splitting maul I would find something cheaper with a good handle. Look for one with a clean vertical grain and no knots. Get a very heavy head with a convex shape. You should be able to find a decent one like this in any hardware store. However if you have the money, or just want to treat yourself to about the best you can buy, the GB maul is the way to go. You will want another axe to cut the wood, the Iltis felling axe is a decent product, but a large step down from the Gransfors. Wetterling also makes a line almost identical to the Gransfors, at a cheaper price but has fit and finish issues.

-Cliff
 
Thanks Cliff and knzn. I got a cheap splitting maul today. A 6lb convex head with a square surface on the back to use as a wedge if I need. It's a generic brand from the local hardware store with 'made in china' it's only designation. I was surprised to notice it came almost hair shaving sharp - a couple of passes with an EZ-lap and it was. I'm not sure how necessary this is for a block splitter.

The handle seems thick and with good even grain. It also came with a rubber dampener to wrap around the shaft near the head.

I split 10-15 blocks of knotty, hard Tuart as soon as I got it home. Made quite short work of it. Just realised that I've been wasting a lot of energy and overstressing a good felling axe.

When I was younger we used to soak our cricket bats in linseed oil to preserve the wood and help prevent cracking - is this a good thing to do with an axe handle?

I think I've become an axe nut now. Getting the right tool to power through this sort of work is a lot of fun - I'm going to look out for suppliers of GB in WA - I think Valiant co, the guys who do the Goloks and Parangs out of SE Asia may have the dealership for them.
 
Linseed oil should be a great choice for you handle. If your handle came with some kind of a poly/vinyl finish it would need to be sanded off first.

As far as how sharp is "necessary" for a block splitter, you will soon develope your own opinion with some time spent with both a sharp and dull maul.

Welcome to the world of "axe nuts!" :)
 
Thanks Bill. What a great place these forums are. Another aspect that I like about chopping is the workout it gives me. I've just spent my first cold winter in a few years and chopped loads of wood at least once per week (I share wood collecting with a couple of nieghbours - hence the volume) I can definetly feel the impact (hey a pun) it has had on my strength. Beats the hell out of weights.
 
I just used my first Gransfors Bruks Ax. I got the Hunters model for canoe camping. This is a really great ax.

I am looking forward to getting other axes from their line.
 
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