Splitting Arsenal

T

trailmaker

Joined
May 15, 2011
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Any other wood splitters on here? I'm curious to hear what people are using and what features people like in a splitter. I've been using a lot of different axes and mauls over the last few years and I'm thinking of having a head custom forged that combines all of the qualities that I like in a splitter.
 
Thanks, the collection keeps growing. I love to split wood so it's nice to have a quiver of different axes to play with.
 
Great looking collection...A good variety to get the job done....Thanks for showing !
 
Wow! Nice arsenal. You give a whole new meaning to maul ninja :D

So which one is your current favorite?
 
RedbeAR15 said:
Wow! Nice arsenal. You give a whole new meaning to maul ninja :D

So which one is your current favorite?
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Thanks. I don't really have one favorite since most of them have qualities that are good for some situations. That's why I'm thinking of having one custom made that incorporates all of the good features. The axes with a shorter bit get better penetration; fewer strikes result in a "bounce". I think they simply have a higher psi at impact. The Gransfors maul and Fiskars "super splitting axe" in the center of the photo both have short 2.5 in. cutting edges. A cutting edge with a lot of curvature has the same effect of high psi at impact because only a small section of cutting edge contacts the round initially. I prefer wood handles because they seem to soak up more of the shock and vibration than the synthetics.

I guess if I could only have one of those axes it would be the GB heavy splitting maul. With a 5.5 lb head it's kind of a middle weight, capable of busting up big nasty rounds but not too heavy to swing for a few hours at a time. My accuracy seems very good with the Gransfors. I think it may be because of the weight of the poll being behind the handle. A good analogy would be throwing a spear from the center of the shaft versus the back of the shaft. If you held the spear at the back it would be harder to get the tip to track straight. The wood handle soaks up some of the shock and if it breaks I can always re-handle it myself, I don't have to wait for the company to send me a new axe. Also I like the fact that the smith responsible for the axe put his initials on the head. It doesn't make the axe split wood any better but there's something psychologically pleasing about the idea that another human made the axe and has some pride in his work.
 
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i split lots of wood also, i prefer a 3 1/2 lb head on a 4 ft handle, but for tough knotty stuff go with a 5 lb splitting maul
i also have an 8 lb and a 10 lb maul, but find they take too much energy to swing
the 3 1/2 seems to be the best fit for me, i can hit accuratley and hard with it, with a minimal exertion
plus its great for kindling
its my all purpose axe

mike
 
trailmaker said:
IMG_0204-1.jpg


Any other wood splitters on here? I'm curious to hear what people are using and what features people like in a splitter. I've been using a lot of different axes and mauls over the last few years and I'm thinking of having a head custom forged that combines all of the qualities that I like in a splitter.
Click to expand...
I used to have a bunch of that stuff,now i just pull a lever
 
theevilmike said:
i split lots of wood also, i prefer a 3 1/2 lb head on a 4 ft handle, but for tough knotty stuff go with a 5 lb splitting maul
i also have an 8 lb and a 10 lb maul, but find they take too much energy to swing
the 3 1/2 seems to be the best fit for me, i can hit accuratley and hard with it, with a minimal exertion
plus its great for kindling
its my all purpose axe

mike
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That sounds like a good range of tools. No sense in swinging a heavier tool than you need to. Is your 3.5 pounder designed for splitting or is it a chopping axe that happens to split well? Did you custom fit that 4ft handle or did it come with it? The longest handle I've got is 36in but it would be interesting to try out a 48 incher, you can probably generate crazy swing speed.
 
COAL CREEK FORGE said:
I used to have a bunch of that stuff,now i just pull a lever
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Actually I used to pull a lever, now I just swing an axe. Not owning a hydraulic splitter allows me to justify my axe collection. By the way have you ever made anything specifically for splitting? I really floored by the beauty and craftsmanship of your work let me know if you have any interest in a splitter project. I hope it's not offensive to suggest putting your exquisite pieces to such a mundane task as splitting wood.
 
3 1/2 lb is just a regular utility axe, kind of all round use, i file it dull so it wont bite hard
as for the 4 ft handle, ive found them to be rare, usually comes with the 36 incher
i sometimes find the 4 fts at farm supply stores and buy as many as i can

mike
 
I split wood and really enjoy doing it. Living on 5 acres there is always a tree that either has to come down, is blown down or is drought killed. I have 2 mauls. The best one I have is like the Hickory handled on the far right. I had one like your pink handled one, but the head itself exploded while splitting last winter. Took it back to Home Depot and they gave me a replacement that is just worthless. The cutting face is so thick it seems to bounce off the wood. So for now I will use the trusty Hickory Handle. Also have a sledge and the same torpedo wedge you have in the middle. Sharpening is done with my handheld grinder and then final touches with a coarse diamond hone.

Good Luck. Watch out for sore backs.
 
I used to hand split a good bit of wood - and also enjoyed it. Sharpening a maul defeats the purpose of the maul IMO - as it is a flying wedge

If you can read the grain you are 3/4 there before you swing
 
Thunder47 said:
I split wood and really enjoy doing it. Living on 5 acres there is always a tree that either has to come down, is blown down or is drought killed. I have 2 mauls. The best one I have is like the Hickory handled on the far right. I had one like your pink handled one, but the head itself exploded while splitting last winter. Took it back to Home Depot and they gave me a replacement that is just worthless. The cutting face is so thick it seems to bounce off the wood. So for now I will use the trusty Hickory Handle. Also have a sledge and the same torpedo wedge you have in the middle. Sharpening is done with my handheld grinder and then final touches with a coarse diamond hone.

Good Luck. Watch out for sore backs.
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Yeah those True Temper skeletal looking axes are made in India unfortunately. Mine came dull and covered in black paint which made it worthless until I sharpened it with the belt sander and polished up the "wing" area. I think that head geometry has potential; I like how the abrupt, wide wings transfer most of your energy sideways. That's good if your splitting rounds on the ground because your axe doesn't blow through into the ground as often. A dutch garden tool company called De Wit used to make a similar head handled with 31inch hickory but it's been discontinued.
 
theevilmike said:
3 1/2 lb is just a regular utility axe, kind of all round use, i file it dull so it wont bite hard
as for the 4 ft handle, ive found them to be rare, usually comes with the 36 incher
i sometimes find the 4 fts at farm supply stores and buy as many as i can

mike
Click to expand...

Sounds like an interesting set up, I think I'll keep an eye out for one of those four footers.
 
trailmaker said:
...I think that head geometry has potential; I like how the abrupt, wide wings transfer most of your energy sideways. That's good if your splitting rounds on the ground because your axe doesn't blow through into the ground as often. A dutch garden tool company called De Wit used to make a similar head handled with 31inch hickory but it's been discontinued.
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It looks like DeWit splitting axes are still available in the USA, with both single and double winged versions:

yhst-80920791612991_2160_84083237

31-0604 Super Splitting Axe

21cpvqnSzhL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

31-0605 Double Splitting Axe


"Handmade in Holland"
a video of their forging operations:
http://www.gardenersfirstchoice.com/
 
You are correct, they haven't been discontinued. I was a little confused because I ordered and received the single wing version a few weeks ago, and sent it back because the handle came loose after the first strike. I also noticed at that time that the head was slightly misshapen. I requested a replacement rather than a refund. They responded via e-mail to my wife; "We are providing a full refund because we are investigating the integrity of this particular axe design and are not comfortable sending what could be a flawed model/batch." I actually hadn't read that e-mail myself until just now. So the distributor is just investigating the current batch, the model is still in production. Thanks Steve for getting that cleared up, I hate to spread wrong information.
 
Man! you are making miss my wood stove.....almost.
 
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