Wood Splitting - Tool Advice

T

twhman

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Dec 7, 2006
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I need to split some wood for recreational camping. I will not be splitting more than about a cord a year. In my teenage years I used a splitting maul to split wood for my parents. Now in my forties I need to get a splitting tool of my own; hwoever, I don't really know much about the mauls and axes.

1.) What do most of you use (yeah I know-besides the powered splitters)? I supose that the type of tool is a personal preference - to be honest I was not overally impressed with the maul - but it was a cheapo so that may not be fair.

2.) What brand of axe or maul do you recommend? Are there any good American made axes or mauls that are not way expensive. I don't mind paying more for an American made product but I won't go over the just to buy American.

Thanks for the information.
 
I have a Monster Maul type, all steel/ steel handle. Big pie shaped wedge head, probably 10 lbs. I've swung a fiberglass handled 7-8 lb but I prefer the heavier weight. (I'm 6 ft, 200 or so) I also like a pair of good thinnish goat skin gloves. The handle has a plastic tube type grip. The gloves enable a quality grip.

I also used to feed a barrel stove, for quite a few years, in a barn I rented, but it's been a while- that I've even done a cord.

I have a 12lb sledge and two wedges that are always in my truck. (along with my Stihl, grin)

I'm sure your level of competence is good, the steel handle on the maul does require a good technique. There have been a coupla times when I don't pay attention. (grins)
 
I do all my splitting with an 8lb maul, or 8lb sledge and pointy wedges. Don't swing one of these if your back if feeling dodgy.
 
I depends,a least a little bit,what kind of wood that your splitting.Most straight grain wood splits easy enough with an 8lb maul.I've been renting a splitter more lately but I've split a good many cords with a wood handle 8lb'er.I usually use a wood handled maul and buy a extra handle,I wrap the six inches close to the head with vinyl tape but they will still crack in time.I had one with a fiberglass handle and the handle came loose after about 3 or 4 cords.
 
I've used a no-name 6 lb. maul quite a bit over the last 5-6 years, feeding my fireplace. One thing I'll say is that they work noticeably better after you spend some time to thin out the edge. Right from the store they are way thicker than necessary. On the really big stuff though, it's hard to beat a good wedge and sledge. I've buried the maul up to the handle and stuck it fast, and even wooden wedges (chip/scraps lying around) pounded into the cracks in the sides will most times finish the job. It was an eye-opener the first couple times I tried it.
 
Anyone use one of the 4 bladed wedges that are supposed to split your log into 4 chucks?
 
Blue Sky said:
I've used a no-name 6 lb. maul quite a bit over the last 5-6 years, feeding my fireplace. One thing I'll say is that they work noticeably better after you spend some time to thin out the edge. Right from the store they are way thicker than necessary.
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Good point Blue Sky.

The one I used at my sister's camper was in need of such help. I'll have to, (cough) make a note of that.
 
Hard H2O said:
Anyone use one of the 4 bladed wedges that are supposed to split your log into 4 chucks?
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I don't think I have. Nor one of those fancy splitting axes with the flyin' fingers on them either.

Those sorts of items are probably trick on straight grain stuff.
 
"Monster Maul"
It's not elegant, or light, but it's the mother of all splitters.
Once you have the technique down, you can go through a LOT of wood in a hurry.

I do like a hydraulic splitter though, ;)
 
First post!!! Woot Woot (Don't worry, I plan on doing a lot more "lurking" before running my mouth about stuff I don't know about.)

I hadn't splitt much wood before this summer. Just when I got bored and needed some stuff for a campfire. However, an old hickory tree died in my grandmother's yard and all the brothers (uncles) wanted to keep it for BBQ-ing. Guess who got handed the task.

TSC supplied me with a 8# fiberglass maul and a wedge much like the "Farmette Report" link already provided. The maul worked just like every other one I had tried...but the new-style wedge was much much better than the "normal" type I had messed around with before.
 
I've split quite a bit of wood with mauls and axes, both single bit and double bit. In straight grained wood, a good 8 lb. maul is the ticket for me. I like the comfort of a hickory handle, but the steel handle on the monster mauls are by far the most durable. As Blue Sky said, they seem to work much better with a thinner edge. For splitting around knots, a good 3-4lb single bit axe is what I use. I find that I can slab off all of the straighter grained pieces from around the worst of the chunk much faster that I can split the knot with a wedge and sledge. The only thing I uses wedges for is to split 6' bow staves.

Hope this helps.
Todd
 
The wood grenade wedge works for me, I got one when I had to split and move some big hunks of wild cherry a regular wedge was just bouncing off.
 
eatingmuchface said:
where can i buy a monster mual? does anyone have a link to a sight that sells them?
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In the US I'd suggest Tractor Supply, or another farm supply type outfit.

Also (cough) Harbor Freight.

I really don't know if that brand still exists.

Mother Earth news (magazine) or online probably has ads. Maybe eBay as well.
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http://www.nextag.com/splitting-maul/search-html

Northern Tool has one. http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200325119_200325119 US$30 + shipping
 
you can make a monster maul from an old car jack stand as handle and steel wedges welded into a triangle (pie) shaped head.
 
I've split about a hundred full cords with six and eight pound mauls. Would use a wedge only if really necessary if ever.
I never liked swinging heavier mauls. A 6 or 8lb maul will have no problem splitting anything except maybe black birch, some hickory and the most gnarly wood of anything.
I love the workout of a maul-great for upper body strength and stamina.
Had to switch to a large motorized splitter two years ago after a couple bad accidents.
 
gerber makes a good splitting axe. i was skeptical of the plastic handle but i have used mine for years and it is still good as new.
a big heavy chooping block is a must.
i split all my wood by hand and find it helps to split it when its wet if you cut your own.
 
The best thing for splitting wood is electric wood spliter. They work like a charm. No Physical labor. But if you cant afford that then I would go with a maul of some typt.

buddylee
 
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