Which Axe?

[pathfinder81]

My best friend lives up in the U.P. and splits alot of wood. I am looking to get him a set of quality axes. I am looking for input on sizes, brand, etc. Any help is much appreciated.

 

[Blue Sky]

If he's splitting a lot of wood, a good maul (thin it out some) and a wedge or two would be the best choice IMO. I love working with axes, but for splitting they're not the most efficient. A target price range would help narrow your choices, there are plenty.

(Welcome to BF!)

 

[pathfinder81]

Thanks, I guess a Maul is the way to go. Price is no object, I want to get him the best.

 

[omniviking]

for splitting wood, the splitting maul is the way to go. I have split alot of wood and with a maul it doesn't really need to be "shaving sharp" like an axe because the sharper it is, the worse it gets stuck. IMO, Pat

 

[Trout Tamer]

for splitting wood, the splitting maul is the way to go. I have split alot of wood and with a maul it doesn't really need to be "shaving sharp" like an axe because the sharper it is, the worse it gets stuck. IMO, Pat

I agree. A quality maul with a blunt edge is the best way to go for splitting wood. Depending on the wood's diameter, though, an axe may also be necessary. If the wood is too large to split in half, an axe is useful for "peeling" the wood around the edges, then splitting the remainder in half or quarters.

To pathfinder81 -
You mentioned looking for a good set of axes, and this is a good idea. Get your friend a maul with a 5+ lb. head (I prefer 8 lbs.) and an axe, single or double bit (edged) with a 3.5 lb. head.
How proficient is your friend with wood chopping? Is he accurate, or will he be breaking handles quickly for a while? I liked learning with a synthetic-handled axe, as is lasted longer. Yeah, I wasn't terribly accurate, at first
I like long handles for lots of splitting; say, 30+ inches.
Here are a few models of various well-made brands:

http://www.bladematrix.tv/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=37391 Wetterlings Chopping Axe, 31 7/8" handle
http://www.bladematrix.tv/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=42670
Estwing Camper's Axe, 26" handle
http://www.gransfors.com/htm_eng/index.html
The Gransfors official site

There are other good makers, but these are the first few that pop into mind. Another named something like "Snow and Neale", made here in the US, gets good reviews.

 

[Blue Sky]

If the wood is too large to split in half, an axe is useful for "peeling" the wood around the edges, then splitting the remainder in half or quarters.

That's where the wedges come in. There is very little you can't split with a couple of wedges and no axe abuse is necessary. I quartered about a dozen 28-30" hard maple rounds last fall that laughed at the maul but gave it up to the wedges with a whimper. If you've never used them it's hard to believe how effective they are.

 

[Trout Tamer]

That's where the wedges come in. There is very little you can't split with a couple of wedges and no axe abuse is necessary. I quartered about a dozen 28-30" hard maple rounds last fall that laughed at the maul but gave it up to the wedges with a whimper. If you've never used them it's hard to believe how effective they are.

Interesting. I'd actually completely forgotten wedges, due to my own experiences with 'em I've buried wedges so deep and tight, it took literally weeks to get the durn things out. Of course, I do seem to recall that wood being wet, at the time
You're right, a wedge is a useful tool; the best wedge I've got is actually an old maul head that I never bothered to re-handle. I'm gonna stick with my peeling technique, though, as well; it's field-expedient if one only has an axe at hand

 

[Blue Sky]

Keeping them near the edges helps, you need the crack running out the side. A pair is also good, one helps get out the other. In fact, I started using them initially to get the maul unstuck, which is how I became aware of how useful they are. I would never carry them afield though! I've used wooden chips as wedges before and they worked pretty good. That's something you can do anywhere.

Peeling is certainly viable, I've done it often myself. I just don't like to, since that always seems to be when I've banged up my axe the most, mostly from glancing blows, chipping out, that sort of thing. If you're careful (or a better axeman than me ) it might not be an issue for you.

You might find this interesting:
Split that log

 

[Trout Tamer]

Thanks for the article link, Blue Sky :thumbup: I've never used wooden wedges before; this gives me another skill to try out. It also answers my question about splitting larger logs with a hatchet. Sweetness

In regards to general felling of trees and such, have you ever read this book?
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Backyard-Lumberjack/Frank-Philbrick/e/9781580176347/?itm=1
It's called "The Backyard Lumberjack" by Frank and Steven Philbrick, a couple of woods-savvy men from the Northeast. It's full of great info on anything and everything to do with dropping, hauling, bucking, stacking, and burning wood :thumbup: They're also quite humorous and have a down-to-earth approach to life, culture, and politics that I appreciated. I bought it and recommend it.