Splitting wood by hand

[the old grind]

Remember, guys, when you shoot your video be sure you're splitting maple (not silver), oak, ash, basswood, birch or poplar. :drink: Elm, mulberry, American hornbeam or others might have you borrowing a powered splitter.

 

[joshuabardwell]

Remember, guys, when you shoot your video be sure you're splitting maple (not silver), oak, ash, basswood, birch or poplar. :drink: Elm, mulberry, American hornbeam or others might have you borrowing a powered splitter.

You joke, but I always kind of scoff at the maul/axe/splitter demonstration videos. I'm a real firewood hound, and the bigger the log the better. More wood for less handling, and more likely that somebody else has passed it up as too big. My typical round is 18-36" in diameter, and I have occasionally gone even bigger. I also like to buck to 20-22" lengths, to fit my stove's firebox as efficiently as possible. So when I see these videos demonstrating a new splitter, and they're popping little 8-12" diameter oak rounds, 14" long, it just doesn't seem like a very good test of the tool. Of course you can bust a tiny little oak round in one stroke. You can do that with darn near anything! Bust a few 24"x20" rounds with your tool and I'll start being impressed.

 

[joshuabardwell]

... like this:

 

[Jstpssng]

I may have to buy the wife one of those Fiskars and show her the budgie trick......we do have an anniversary coming up! She likes presents and this would definitely increase her productivity!!:thumbsup:

Let us know how that works out for you!

 

[jerrybob]

Let us know how that works out for you!

Wonder if they come in purple? She just loves purple and nothing says "I love you" better than a purple splitting axe!
She is going to be so happy!!!!:cool2:

 

[Jstpssng]

Wonder if they come in purple? She just loves purple and nothing says "I love you" better than a purple splitting axe!
She is going to be so happy!!!!:cool2:

I had to doublecheck your profile, to ensure that I wasm't communicating with my BIL. (My sister's favorite color has always been "orchid"... to this day I've always thought that is a flower, not a color. )

 

[94BULLITT]

Who splits their wood by hand?
I am looking to buy me a new splitting maul and trying to decide which one to get.
I split a lot of oak.
TS has a good selection of hand splitting mauls.

I saw one that is a 12 lb. Splitting Maul with a 27 in. Steel Handle.
It is actually 16 pounds, I like the steel handle, everyone likes to try and split wood and the rookies break my handles.
Here is the site:
Truper 12 lb. Splitting Maul with 27 in. Steel Handle - Tractor Supply Online Store

My other choice is a 8 lb. Splitting Maul with 36 in. Fiberglass Handle.
Truper 8 lb. Splitting Maul with 36 in. Double Injected Fiberglass Handle - Tractor Supply Online Store

Which one would you get?
sherpa

Definitely stay away from the 12lber with the steel handle. I have one and used it a lot. When you hit something really hard and it does not split it will sting you pretty good:laughing:

I have heard good things about the fiskars splitters.

I have this one Shop True Temper 8 lbs Forged Steel Wood Splitter at Lowes.com

I also have this one.Shop True Temper 4 lbs Forged Steel Wood Splitter at Lowes.com

I was using them tonight. I don't use the steel handled on anymore. The fiberglass absorbs the shock. I can split a lot with the little 4lb one. I had it laying on the bumper of the firewood truck and it was loaded with a heaping load of wood. I forgot about it and moved the truck. I backed over it and it did not hurt the handle. Definitely stay away from a wood or steel handle.

 

[jerrybob]

I had to doublecheck your profile, to ensure that I wasm't communicating with my BIL. (My sister's favorite color has always been "orchid"... to this day I've always thought that is a flower, not a color. )

She any good at chopping wood??:laughing: How's Maine....used to visit often. love Stonington. Our daughter went to school in Farmington several years back. :thumbsup:

 

[sherpa]

Do not get the Fiskars X27 splitting axe if you want a workout!
It takes all the work out of splitting firewood, the Fiskars X27 splitting AX is awesome.
Harvesting firewood just got a little better.
Thanks for everyone's help in selecting the right splitting AX.
sherpa

 

[grnspot110]

MOnster Maul. I've had one for 40 years. Heavy triangular head and a metal pipe handle. I still split 5-6 cords a year, down from the 15 or so I used to split. I like it because it won't hardly ever get stuck.

I've had a Monster Maul for 30 years+, quit using it to split wood years ago! Worked good when I was 25 years old, now I sometimes use it upside down for a post maul. ~~ grnspot