Splitting maul recommendations

[isuhunter]

I need a splitting maul and hoping everyone from this site can provide some input on what they have and like. I don't do enough to justify a splitter.

 

[BK13]

I bought a Granfors-Bruks Large Splitting Axe and really like it. I previously used a second hand axe that was originally bought at Sears that did the job pretty well also. I rarely use my maul, unless I'm trying to split something really nasty. It's one of those cheapo yellow handled jobbers from HD/Lowes/Ace, don't remember the brand. I alway felt like it was just as likely to bounce off the wood I was trying to split as it was to actually penetrate it.

 

[Rinspeed]

I use one of the old SOTZ monster mauls, you can still find them on Ebay but they are a little pricey. I doubt you will find a maul that works better.

 

[blazemaster83]

I also have one of those old monster mauls and It works great for doug fir. I would love to try out a granfors-bruks maul, I have one of their small forestry axes and they are awesome.

 

[ATTappman]

If you like weight: Fiskars Isocore 8lb maul

If you like speed: Fiskars X27 splitting axe

If you want a balance of weight and speed:

Helko Saxon splitter if you lean towards weight.
Gransfors Bruks large splitting axe if you lean towards speed.

I have all four. The X27 is my favorite.

 

[Ralf11]

use a wedge

I suggest the French Twist

 

[RTM]

Couple of recent posts from the history books

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=454448&highlight=splitting

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=457133&highlight=splitting

 

[jonshonda]

Here is what I have found splitting oak. I use a chainsaw to cut it up into rounds. I use a splitting maul with wedge to break up the big rounds, and use the maul on smaller rounds. Once I have managed to break the pieces up into smaller, but not yet finished sized I use the splitting axe to finish the job.

The reason I use the splitting axe when splitting down to finished size is due to how much easier it is to pick up, put down, and handle with one hand when messing with standing the wood upright.

All my splitting equipment is close to, if not over 100 years old. So I cannot help with what you can buy at a store, only with what tools I use for the job.

 

[bas157]

I use the Fiskars X27 the most. I have their Isocore maul but rarely use it.

 

[CR888]

Often people advise simply what they use and have at hand because it somewhat kinda works for them. Ask the guy who has quite a few old forged ax's in various patterns from various makes, from various centuries who's also used mauls, new composite style like X27, silly twista wedges etc. Ask him what he grabs first when he wants to get a lot of wood on the stack with the least effort.

 

[Jazz1]

I have always used a old maul however I would like to try the Fiskars 8 lb. I split lots of ugly wood I source free. A axe is fine depending on the species,,great for poplar.

 

[WinMod21]

Whatever you decide to go with, I'd suggest keeping the max weight at no more than 8 lbs, (or e.g. that 8 1/2 lb. Saxon Splitter), that is, if you're of average size. Unless you're of the Paul Bunyon, or maybe Sergeant Daniel Whitley type stature.

Once I made the mistake of getting a 10 lb. splitting maul. Once! And even though I was in stout condition at the time, swinging lots of axes & hammers, (incl 28oz framing axes and 32oz Vaughn framing hammers, whilst building log homes & timber frame homes, garages, bunkhouses, barns &c), I never liked using it because a 10 lb. maul can get tiresome both while swinging and lifting with one arm— when setting-up/stacking upright your next piece to split— as @jonshonda indicated above.

So I agree that lighter is better. And have several good splitting wedges at the ready, for big or gnarly rounds.

 

[finn]

I probably have a dozen assorted wedges and at least three mauls, along with several axes.

The only two tools I use for splitting though, are the Fiskars x27 and the forty year old Briggs flathead powered two stage hydraulic splitter.

 

[Krokodil]

Husqvarna

 

[PureLeaf]

I bought the German made Halder Simplex Splitting Maul. First batch of wood I split the handle cracked and broke. Its a modular design meaning all parts on it can be replaced. So I browsed handle purchasing or trying to get a warranty replacement handle, with very little success since Halder's presence in the US seems pretty lack luster. Ended up returning it as defective since it should've lasted at least more than 5-6 stumps. It was probably a bad handle but for a 200 dollar premium ax, there should be no bad handles.

 

[AngryBeaver]

I have about 2 dozen axes and mauls.

When I was a teenager and my chore was to split the firewood, I used dads Monster maul.

As I got older and got into tree service and then selling firewood, I looked more into nice axes. I have more than a couple Gransfors Bruks, Sweeden made Husqvarnas, German made Stihl's, and tons of ancient single bit and double bit axes and about half a dozen regular mauls plus that old ancient monster maul that I haven't touched since my first year of selling wood.


Of all these, I grab the Fiskars every time. I made this video about 5-6 years ago of splitting up some 30" oak rounds with the most popular axes at the time. I split 8-10 cord a year by hand. I own a splitter. I only use it when I get into a knotty mess, but honestly its easier and faster to chunk it up with a saw. I don't know why I even bought splitter. I can out split it 2:1. Those huge rounds that take two people get it over to the splitter? no thanks.

 

[lafester]

I don't have much, but I have Fiskars and it does work great.
Keep an eye out at Walmart and see if they mark them down... pretty much any time now.

 

[soloz2]

I just picked up a Fiskars x27 splitting axe from TSC last week and so far I've only used it once, but it worked well for some maple rounds I have. Plus, it matches the Fiskars chopping axe I picked up from a Walmart clearance.

 

[Bretny]

I also use a fiskars x27. I have used regular mauls and a monster maul too. The fiskars just works better and to be totally honest if it's a streight grain wood it's easier than a splitter.

Alot of times with this x27 I'm not even standing up the rounds. You can swing it kind of like a golf club or hit the side of the round and it splits.

 

[upper_tanker]

I use this one a lot:
https://www.northerntool.com/shop/t...ADLm6uNhKFGKFfqda4zvPPD_edChkxehoCsv0QAvD_BwE

It's heavy, but that means I don't have to work as hard. I've never found anything it won't split easily unless the grain is very twisty (elm).

 

[pizza]

here's another recent thread:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=454448

based on it, i have these things:

Maul:
Ochsenkopf OX 635 H-3009 (Big Ox) Maul 3kg head, 4.2kg overall
https://www.ochsenkopf.com/en/products/axes/splitting-hammers/
iirc, the stihl pro stuff is rebranded Ochsenkopf

Wedge:
Ochsenkopf OX 41-1000 Twisted Aluminum Wedge
https://www.ochsenkopf.com/en/products/wedges/
i like the idea of an aluminum wedge for safety.

Axe:
Fiskars X27 Super Splitting Axe (36")

For Kindling:
Kindling Cracker XL

i actually haven't had a chance to use the maul and wedge much yet since they came late from germany, but the fiskars and kindling cracker are very nice.

i use the kindling cracker for anything that i can get inside it.

 

[Ton ton]

Thanks for the update. Pizza.

 

[pizza]

also, heads up, that coupon code on northerntool ends today. it gives $20 off on the kindling cracker.

maybe there's another one floating around somewhere that's active longer, idk. but i thought i'd mention it again just in case.

i'm trying to decide if i want a second one for my other place. that kindling cracker owns.

 

[pizza]

btw, i have the estwing fireside friend as well (mentioned i was considering it in the last thread). useful as a portable thing for camping or whatever, but it ***** compared to kindling cracker.

 

[cool_as_crap]

I have a stihl splitting maul:
https://www.stihlusa.com/products/hand-tools/axes/prosplitmaul/

It works well, though I had to replace it after splitting 4 logs when the handle broke due to defect. No issues since the replacement.