Splitting Arsenal

Here's my latest addition, made by Halder of Germany.
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I think the main idea behind this design is the replaceable polymer insert that is used for pounding wedges. I'm a bit leery of all the extra parts compared to traditional designs but so far it's held up to some serious pounding.
 
I have an old original monster maul. It cannot be beat. Original orange color and rubber coated handle. Old man got it as a promotional deal from a company that used to give them away if you bought an outdoor wood furnace. It has stood the test of time and then some. I'll post a pic sometime.
 
Operator1975 said:
I have an old original monster maul. It cannot be beat. Original orange color and rubber coated handle. Old man got it as a promotional deal from a company that used to give them away if you bought an outdoor wood furnace. It has stood the test of time and then some. I'll post a pic sometime.
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My Truper 12 pounder (knockoff of the original Stotz Monster Maul) is really growing on me. When I first tried it out I was not in great shape physically and it seemed way too heavy, but since I quit smoking and started splitting lots of wood it seems more manageable. It's still a bit of overkill for most of the wood that I split but it's good to have the heavy artillery available. You really can't beat those Monster Mauls for simplicity and low maintenance. One piece of metal that needs no handle or edge maintenance.
 
trailmaker said:
My Truper 12 pounder (knockoff of the original Stotz Monster Maul) is really growing on me. When I first tried it out I was not in great shape physically and it seemed way too heavy, but since I quit smoking and started splitting lots of wood it seems more manageable. It's still a bit of overkill for most of the wood that I split but it's good to have the heavy artillery available. You really can't beat those Monster Mauls for simplicity and low maintenance. One piece of metal that needs no handle or edge maintenance.
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I would agree. It truly is a monster. Big, old, mean, beat up, and mad. I love it.
 
Growing up at this house required 12 to 15 cord of wood, we burnt mostly red fir and tamarack.
We now have a heat pump, so don't burn near as much, but still like our fires.
Was started out at about 12 helping with the splitting chores, and we normally used
the standard 6lb maul found at most hardware and farm stores.

But here's the trick, cut off about the first 1.5 inches and regrind and temper.
With the big blocks, up to 48in, you don't want to have any sticks in the wood.
With the shortened and beafier maul it either splits or bounces.
After the second bounce out comes the wedges.

Obviously splitting tamarack is a far easier process.

I could never get comfortable with a single bit axe, but prefer a double bit of
about 3.5 to 4lbs. And for a right handed person, I seem to be left handed
when using an axe or maul, IE the end of the handle in my left hand.

Having done this from the ages of 12 to 40 or so, I'm happy to say that
a hydraulic splitter is now my favorite tool for preparing for winter.

Leadfoot
 
That's an interesting idea leadfoot, about the re-shaping. I imagine it would take a bit of work, a good rainy day project.

Here's my latest addition, a re-branded Fiskars "pro splitting axe" model #7859. I wanted to snatch one of these up since they are out of production. I put it through it's paces yesterday and I'm extremely impressed with it's performance. With a 2.25lb head and a very light 28in fiberglass handle it's by far the lightest splitting axe I've used. I don't do any camping but I imagine this would be a great splitter to bring along. There's not much romance to these Fiskars axes but they are durable and get the job done.
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I don't split nearly as much anymore, but I still have my single bit Kelly Flint Edge, a maul and a sledge with a couple old metal wedges. Those would get just about everything done up proper, but the most ruthless splitter of all is a chain saw. Never saw a piece yet that could withstand one.
 
Section10 said:
I don't split nearly as much anymore, but I still have my single bit Kelly Flint Edge, a maul and a sledge with a couple old metal wedges. Those would get just about everything done up proper, but the most ruthless splitter of all is a chain saw. Never saw a piece yet that could withstand one.
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I use my saw occasionally on ultra nasty rounds. I don't go all the way through I just saw a line across the end of the round to get my wedges started. Post a pic of your maul and wedges if you get a chance.
 
bearhunter said:
those are really nice trailmaker...
i actually need to get busy and split the wood for tonoight...;)
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Thanks, they're fun to collect because they tend to be cheaper than a lot of the choppers. What's your go to splitter? What wood are you spliitting in Montana? I've driven out to Big Sky a few times I remember seeing lots of conifers. Beautiful state.
 
trailmaker said:
Thanks, they're fun to collect because they tend to be cheaper than a lot of the choppers. What's your go to splitter? What wood are you spliitting in Montana? I've driven out to Big Sky a few times I remember seeing lots of conifers. Beautiful state.
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i use a GB splitting maul... and an 8# sledge and wedge for the 'rough stuff'...
i burn strictly lodge pole pine... there is a lot of beetle kill out here, so i just cut those... theres plenty of them thats for sure... i live up in the mountains on 20 acres surrounded by BLM and state lands, so getting wood isnt a problem. i actually cut quite a bit of beetle kill off my property last year and plan to cut more this year as well...

and yes it is a beautiful state;)
 
bearhunter said:
i use a GB splitting maul... and an 8# sledge and wedge for the 'rough stuff'...
i burn strictly lodge pole pine... there is a lot of beetle kill out here, so i just cut those... theres plenty of them thats for sure... i live up in the mountains on 20 acres surrounded by BLM and state lands, so getting wood isnt a problem. i actually cut quite a bit of beetle kill off my property last year and plan to cut more this year as well...

and yes it is a beautiful state;)
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Man that sounds like heaven. I was just talking yesterday with my brother about how the ideal setup would be a manageable size homestead surrounded by BLM and state lands. Thousands of acres to roam but you don't have to pay taxes on it or maintain it, and there's little risk of it being developed.
 
That Lever-Axe is very cool, I've been considering getting one but I think with the shipping and exchange rate it's quite expensive. The inventor was kind enough to send one to be passed around among the members of Arboristsite forum. The reviews were mixed but I think in softwoods like they have in Finland it's very effective.

edit: I just checked the site it's 190 euros or 250 dollars. Then you add whatever shipping is from Finland and the price is getting up there.
 
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just finished hanging my maul, splitting axe and a mini-maul, the fiberglass handles had run their course. very pleased after using them today and wanted to post some pics. jute twine soaked in wood glue wrapped beneath the head and then wire wrapped over top of that for overstrike protection. Believe i will do this for the mini-maul as well(snow and neally), it rocks with the longer handle on it.
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while i had these in the shop i ended using my first axe for some splitting, a usa made 3.5 michigan from ames, the one i used when i first started cutting and splitting i forget how great it is. sometimes the maul is just overkill anymore i'm realizing, i think i will wirewrap the michigan as well. enjoy the pics, i've enjoyed everyone elses.
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Great idea on the wire wrap, I think I'll try that out. Your splitting axe looks identical to one I got off the bay. Do you know who makes it? I think mine might be a Bahco or maybe an Oxhead.
 
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