Splitting wedges

[osage outlaw]

Does anyone collect splitting wedges? I'm looking for a wedge to start the split in the end of a log. Right now I use an axe head and a hatchet. The axe head is getting pretty mushroomed out. I have a decent amount of larger wedges. I'm looking for something shaped more like an axe head than a wedge.

 

[jblyttle]

I have a ton of them. I see them at the sales that I go to and every time I can buy one for $1 I grab them. I use some, include others in lots with other tools. I have a pile of them. However, you can buy a new one at your local hardware store for $12 or so, so buying and shipping just one makes no sense. I would ask people that you know if they have one laying in a shed, or keep an eye out at yard sales. However, it sounds like the best bet for you would be to use what you are already using. See if you can pick up an old axe for a couple of bucks and do the same thing. Make it a Chinese one though!

That wood looks awesome by the way. We have none here but I had read that osage was kind of tough to find big straight pieces. Obviously not true! I'd ship you a box of wedges for a piece or two.

 

[300Six]

I cringe at what you're doing with an axe head! On the other hand if they're Asian import, no name, as well as being cheap garage sale finds, then what the H. You are wearing glasses when you strike the 'wedges' (against flying metal slivers) I hope?
The bark on those logs reminds me of elm but the wood colour seems to correspond to your forum moniker; is this what Osage looks like in the wild?

 

[rjdankert]

. . . I'm looking for a wedge to start the split in the end of a log.
. . . I'm looking for something shaped more like an axe head than a wedge.
. . .

Don't know how much my observations will help. These are just common splitting wedges that have seen a lot of hard honest labor.



The good and the bad. The one on the left has virtually no mushrooming, while the one on the right has plenty. On the other hand the one on the right (thinner profile) does significantly better for me. Easier to start and easier to split. If I use the one on the left again I would probably thin it. As to the one on the right I think I've been lucky and don't intend to push that luck by not taking care of the mushrooming before it is used again.

 

[300Six]

Don't know how much my observations will help. These are just common splitting wedges that have seen a lot of hard honest labor.



The good and the bad. The one on the left has virtually no mushrooming, while the one on the right has plenty. On the other hand the one on the right (thinner profile) does significantly better for me. Easier to start and easier to split. If I use the one on the left again I would probably thin it. As to the one on the right I think I've been lucky and don't intend to push that luck by not taking care of the mushrooming before it is used again.

I guess so! Just spy the difference in taper of the tips. I always caution folks never to sharpen axes with a grinder but in the case of a horribly blunt wedge I would say: go to town on reprofiling this baby right away and carry on removing stock until it is suitable for use. A wedge that won't 'stick' and/or bounces out all the time is a door stop.

 

[garry3]

I use old rigging hatchet heads for the initial start much like you do. Then go with a couple of flat splitting wedges.

The Bodark looks a little short for fence posts?

 

[osage outlaw]

I have a ton of them. I see them at the sales that I go to and every time I can buy one for $1 I grab them. I use some, include others in lots with other tools. I have a pile of them. However, you can buy a new one at your local hardware store for $12 or so, so buying and shipping just one makes no sense. I would ask people that you know if they have one laying in a shed, or keep an eye out at yard sales. However, it sounds like the best bet for you would be to use what you are already using. See if you can pick up an old axe for a couple of bucks and do the same thing. Make it a Chinese one though!

That wood looks awesome by the way. We have none here but I had read that osage was kind of tough to find big straight pieces. Obviously not true! I'd ship you a box of wedges for a piece or two.

I guess I will keep using what I have. It's worked decent so far. I appreciate the offer but I have plenty of wedges. I'm looking for something shaped like an axe head but solid.

 

[osage outlaw]

I cringe at what you're doing with an axe head! On the other hand if they're Asian import, no name, as well as being cheap garage sale finds, then what the H. You are wearing glasses when you strike the 'wedges' (against flying metal slivers) I hope?
The bark on those logs reminds me of elm but the wood colour seems to correspond to your forum moniker; is this what Osage looks like in the wild?

I picked up that axe head for $1. The only markings on it are two letters on the bottom side. I think they are DY. I do wear glasses when I'm splitting. I had a close call a few years ago. A small piece of a hatchet head flew off and hit me in the bridge of the nose. It felt like I had been punched. My nose was extremely sore for several days. I wasn't wearing glasses when that happened. An inch either way and I would have lost an eye.

Yes, those are osage logs.

 

[osage outlaw]

Don't know how much my observations will help. These are just common splitting wedges that have seen a lot of hard honest labor.



The good and the bad. The one on the left has virtually no mushrooming, while the one on the right has plenty. On the other hand the one on the right (thinner profile) does significantly better for me. Easier to start and easier to split. If I use the one on the left again I would probably thin it. As to the one on the right I think I've been lucky and don't intend to push that luck by not taking care of the mushrooming before it is used again.

I have a couple shaped like the one on the left and one that is mushroomed out like the one on the right. It actually has a slight curve to it. I use it for splitting the pieces down smaller. I use the curve with the shape of the wood.

 

[osage outlaw]

I use old rigging hatchet heads for the initial start much like you do. Then go with a couple of flat splitting wedges.

The Bodark looks a little short for fence posts?

I'm splitting them out for bow staves, not fence posts. I got an order for 100 staves and I'm trying to get them cut and split before it gets to hot. I have used osage for fence posts and they work great. A few months ago I made a new mail box post out of an osage limb. I use it for a lot of different things. I have plans of getting some logs sawed into boards to use as siding on a home made tear drop camper.

 

[jblyttle]

I guess I will keep using what I have. It's worked decent so far. I appreciate the offer but I have plenty of wedges. I'm looking for something shaped like an axe head but solid.

I do have a couple of pretty thin ones, I'll post some pics. Otherwise keep using cheap axe heads or also any local trade school or machine shop could make you a couple pretty cheap I would bet.

 

[pjwoolw]

I'll bet I have a dozen wedges to restore. The problem is most folks use the wedge incorrectly thus the damage to the heads. Myself included until I knew / learned better technique.

 

[garry3]

I'm splitting them out for bow staves, not fence posts. I got an order for 100 staves and I'm trying to get them cut and split before it gets to hot. I have used osage for fence posts and they work great. A few months ago I made a new mail box post out of an osage limb. I use it for a lot of different things. I have plans of getting some logs sawed into boards to use as siding on a home made tear drop camper.

I suspected that was what they where being split for.

You might try to find you some old bucking wedges. I think that is what you are looking for. They are on the thin side. Would be very good for starting the split. I posted a picture of a large one a couple days ago here.http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1190276-It-followed-me-home-(Part-2)/page48

 

[rjdankert]

I have a couple shaped like the one on the left and one that is mushroomed out like the one on the right. It actually has a slight curve to it. . .

The left is straight and the mushroomed one has a curve/twist in it. This was the way it came new in the mid 1970s.

 

[rjdankert]

I'll bet I have a dozen wedges to restore. The problem is most folks use the wedge incorrectly thus the damage to the heads. Myself included until I knew / learned better technique.

What's the technique? I only know the Neanderthal method: start wedge, smash wedge.

thanks

 

[DarthTaco123]

The best way I evade damaging is by using a maple branch. Works slower than a steel sledge, but get's the job done.

 

[osage outlaw]

There is no way I could split those logs without using a hammer. I use a 4 lb mini sledge 99% of the time.

 

[Creedmoor]

I had a minor shoulder surgery and them major back surgery so I haven't used my wedges in a while and it I had to hunt around to even find them.

They were pretty mushroomed out and a few years ago I cleaned them up a bit.

I use the thin one to start a split sometimes if I think it will be too hard to get the thick one going.

I bought these a long time ago and have no idea who made them.

I'm hoping to be able to split a little wood this winter.

 

[Square_peg]

If you put a very slightly concave (hollow ground) bevel on your wedges then they'll stick in the wood instead of popping back out.