Great review. I have GFB maul and love it. Here in Australia we have some very hard hardwoods and I find the GFB manages it with ease. Have not tried the Wetterling, but sounds like a great product. The GFB does have a slight concave head, which is interesting compared with most other mauls on the market.
Nice review, fully agree. the fiskars is the best bang for the buck for the average person for sure, you get a lot out of that 50 dollars and with fiskars life time warranty, if your ever broke it, no need to care about a new handle, phone then up and get a replacement, their customer service is really good.
Great comparison video! I think a convex edge would be superior to a concave as well. The concave would get deeper bite with less effort, but would get a ton more friction and deceleration when you enter the wood. A convex head shape would initiate with more force than penetration, but would maintain its friction level better and wouldn't get stuck as easily or lose velocity in the work. Plus, the way it feels when you really give er the beans on a nice dry round, you are trying to shock the wood apart, then follow through with it. I dont split every day, but ive corded up a few trees in my time. Worst is semi rotten wood. For that you want an axe thats convex as well. Ittl get buried into the log. We had some monster rounds 32in+ that had gone soft and decided to split em anyways. They sunk in good you had to hammer the heck out them to shock them apart.
Very informative. They're all great products. I now mainly use the Fiskars x27 and their Isocore 8lb maul when the x27 can't cope; both great products. One trick an old timer told me about is to dip your axe head in a container (plastic ice cream tub etc) containing sump oil. This helps the head avoid sticking in the wood. It works.
Thanks for the review. I was thinking of replacing my cheap maul with a Gransfors but I have noticed the keener shape of it and questioned its splitting abilities. All of the old mauls I’ve used were always a convex shape. I may shop around for a Wetterlings or even look to see what Hultafors offers. Thanks for the review.
Thanks for the comment. If you haven't looked at it already, I've heard good things about the Husqvarna maul, which is shaped more like the Wetterlings.
I have a Fiskars X27 and Gransfors maul. The Gransfors was almost a waste of money. It is a beautiful piece of tool, but it sticks into the wood constantly.
Great review. I just pulled the trigger on the SHW. I have been through 3 low-dollar mauls and am looking forward to having something decent. Also agree with the comment about chopping wood. Its good for the soul.
Thank you for you review. Very interesting to see some mauls that I don't have like the Bruks. In the splitting demo, I think they are not being swung very fast and are not showing how well they will really perform. Get a heavy wood base closer to the ground and swing harder. Fiskars has a guarantee to replace it if it breaks. It probably won't because it's tough. I would pad the shafts on those expensive ones to avoid breakage.
very helpful review Matt. I have re profiled some of my mauls to get better performance The shape of my maul is very similar to the larger wetterlings/ gransfors. I like the idea of that Granfors bruks 3.5lb one.
Glad it was helpful. If you're looking for something a little less expensive, check out the SHW: www.thetoolmerchants.com/store/brands/shw-garden-tools/shw-splitting-maul/
I have the exact same SHW Friedrichstal Splitting Maul in use since 10+ years. But i do not split regular firewood with it. I split 1 Meter (~40 Inch) stumps with a diameter up to 60-70 cm (~28 Inch). And I can tell you it does a pretty decent job. I only rarely use riving knifes. For regular 33 cm firewood which needs to be splittend i just use a regular short cleaver or splitting axe I don’t know exactly how to call it from ochsenkopf or fiskars, but I do prefer the ochsenkopf.
Greetings from the Emerald Isle of Ireland, check out the fiskers Isacore 8 lb splitting maul, great maul, I use it to halve big rounds, and finish them of,with my fiskers x27 super splitting axe, both do a great job,
If you get the outer wall of s large truck tyre, use 2, one on top of the other, on concrete,fill them with rounds,and split away, no need for chasing flying wood,or bending continually, I get mine already shaped,from been blown out,along the highways of Ireland,
Nice video, but if you learn the technique of flicking the axe at the point of impact, it will split far better and you won't keep getting the axes stuck in the logs.
Didn't hear that but I'm not surprised as I've tried contacting Wetterlings a number of times with no reply. That's too bad but I guess that's the nature of business sometimes: swallow up your competitors and incorporate them under one umbrella.
@faultroy: How much do you want for the felling Axe? I've read some reviews and some love it and a few have had them chip/break on the corners. With you having used yours without any problems, it sounds like you got one of the good ones. Thanks.
Sometimes you can split a round into four quarters without it leaving the chopping block. Usually, you split it in half, then bend over and pick up the two halves and split those again to get 4 quarters. But if you partially split it in half, then spin the round, you can split the whole thing into 4 quarters "at once." Does that make sense?
But you far from split in half I watched your video you we're kind of hitting it and spinning it not really splitting it in half and doing as you were saying watch your own video I'm just curious
Heck even after reviewing your video you're still bending over and picking up both halves so take a good healthy swing and get her done brother make sense
Excellent review living in Western Australia splitting local hardwood called Tuart about 16 inches diameter, it burns slow not to hot which suit our needs as our winters are not too cold. The wood has interlocking grain I have been using a Hart 8 lb maul it has forged head and fibreglass handle with a convex curve on the head (www.harttools.com/?product=hart-8-lb-maul). I can not split a 16" diameter Tuart log with this tool. I have to put 1/4 cuts across the end grain with a chain saw about a blade deep and use wedges to split into 1/4 then the maul works fine. I have the Gransfors carpenters hatchet and the sloyd axe love them both. I am thinking convex vs concave grind may generate different results depend on the type of wood. Contemplating the Grnsfors Burk maul as the Wetterlings does not seem to be available in Australia and has a similar head shape to the Hart maul.
Great review.
I have GFB maul and love it. Here in Australia we have some very hard hardwoods and I find the GFB manages it with ease. Have not tried the Wetterling, but sounds like a great product. The GFB does have a slight concave head, which is interesting compared with most other mauls on the market.
Nice review, fully agree. the fiskars is the best bang for the buck for the average person for sure, you get a lot out of that 50 dollars and with fiskars life time warranty, if your ever broke it, no need to care about a new handle, phone then up and get a replacement, their customer service is really good.
Great comparison video! I think a convex edge would be superior to a concave as well. The concave would get deeper bite with less effort, but would get a ton more friction and deceleration when you enter the wood. A convex head shape would initiate with more force than penetration, but would maintain its friction level better and wouldn't get stuck as easily or lose velocity in the work. Plus, the way it feels when you really give er the beans on a nice dry round, you are trying to shock the wood apart, then follow through with it. I dont split every day, but ive corded up a few trees in my time. Worst is semi rotten wood. For that you want an axe thats convex as well. Ittl get buried into the log. We had some monster rounds 32in+ that had gone soft and decided to split em anyways. They sunk in good you had to hammer the heck out them to shock them apart.
Very informative. They're all great products. I now mainly use the Fiskars x27 and their Isocore 8lb maul when the x27 can't cope; both great products. One trick an old timer told me about is to dip your axe head in a container (plastic ice cream tub etc) containing sump oil. This helps the head avoid sticking in the wood. It works.
Nice tip, what is sump oil though?
Fiskars axes and mauls have a lifetime warranty
the 8 Lb Fiskars ISOcore maul is the best maul made.
Thanks for the review. I was thinking of replacing my cheap maul with a Gransfors but I have noticed the keener shape of it and questioned its splitting abilities. All of the old mauls I’ve used were always a convex shape. I may shop around for a Wetterlings or even look to see what Hultafors offers. Thanks for the review.
Thanks for the comment. If you haven't looked at it already, I've heard good things about the Husqvarna maul, which is shaped more like the Wetterlings.
I have a Fiskars X27 and Gransfors maul. The Gransfors was almost a waste of money. It is a beautiful piece of tool, but it sticks into the wood constantly.
Great review. I just pulled the trigger on the SHW. I have been through 3 low-dollar mauls and am looking forward to having something decent. Also agree with the comment about chopping wood. Its good for the soul.
Cheers, Adam, hope the SHW works great for you!
Thank you for you review. Very interesting to see some mauls that I don't have like the Bruks. In the splitting demo, I think they are not being swung very fast and are not showing how well they will really perform. Get a heavy wood base closer to the ground and swing harder. Fiskars has a guarantee to replace it if it breaks. It probably won't because it's tough. I would pad the shafts on those expensive ones to avoid breakage.
very helpful review Matt. I have re profiled some of my mauls to get better performance The shape of my maul is very similar to the larger wetterlings/ gransfors. I like the idea of that Granfors bruks 3.5lb one.
+Ben Griswold Thanks, Ben. Glad you enjoyed.
Nice channel !!
I found your video helpful, i'm looking for a splitting maul, I might just get that wetterlings for 130$ like you said, thanks !
Glad it was helpful. If you're looking for something a little less expensive, check out the SHW: www.thetoolmerchants.com/store/brands/shw-garden-tools/shw-splitting-maul/
I have the exact same SHW Friedrichstal Splitting Maul in use since 10+ years. But i do not split regular firewood with it. I split 1 Meter (~40 Inch) stumps with a diameter up to 60-70 cm (~28 Inch). And I can tell you it does a pretty decent job. I only rarely use riving knifes. For regular 33 cm firewood which needs to be splittend i just use a regular short cleaver or splitting axe I don’t know exactly how to call it from ochsenkopf or fiskars, but I do prefer the ochsenkopf.
Great perspective
Fiskars axe has a lifetime warranty and if it ever breaks they send you a free replacement
Just saying
Great video
Greetings from the Emerald Isle of Ireland, check out the fiskers Isacore 8 lb splitting maul, great maul, I use it to halve big rounds, and finish them of,with my fiskers x27 super splitting axe, both do a great job,
if you were to break the fiskars they send you a new one , it has a lifetime warranty
Wait...the Fiskars has softer steel but chips...not folds? Something isn't adding up here.
If you get the outer wall of s large truck tyre, use 2, one on top of the other, on concrete,fill them with rounds,and split away, no need for chasing flying wood,or bending continually, I get mine already shaped,from been blown out,along the highways of Ireland,
Nice video, but if you learn the technique of flicking the axe at the point of impact, it will split far better and you won't keep getting the axes stuck in the logs.
Good reminder about the wrist flick. Here's a good article about it: axeconnected.blogspot.com/2012/04/wood-splitting-with-twist.html
Thanks for this video was great info buddy
Great job
Really cool review, thanks! I would love to pull the trigger on Wetterling Maul, but I can't find it for sale, anywhere. :(
I know what a bummer. I've tried contacting Wetterlings a few times recently, but no reply.
Didn't hear that but I'm not surprised as I've tried contacting Wetterlings a number of times with no reply. That's too bad but I guess that's the nature of business sometimes: swallow up your competitors and incorporate them under one umbrella.
Might be interested in the hunters axe. Would you send me a photo and asking price to thetoolmerchants@gmail.com.
@faultroy: How much do you want for the felling Axe? I've read some reviews and some love it and a few have had them chip/break on the corners. With you having used yours without any problems, it sounds like you got one of the good ones. Thanks.
faultroy Okay, how do I go about seeing some pictures of it?
Why do you keep spinning your wood after you hit it what is the advantage of that if any just curious never saw anyone do that
Sometimes you can split a round into four quarters without it leaving the chopping block. Usually, you split it in half, then bend over and pick up the two halves and split those again to get 4 quarters. But if you partially split it in half, then spin the round, you can split the whole thing into 4 quarters "at once." Does that make sense?
But you far from split in half I watched your video you we're kind of hitting it and spinning it not really splitting it in half and doing as you were saying watch your own video I'm just curious
And so what if you got to bend over that's what splitting wood is all about you're not taking very many productive swings that's all
Heck even after reviewing your video you're still bending over and picking up both halves so take a good healthy swing and get her done brother make sense
@@jesseheilman Yeah, you're right. Almost 4 years ago now so I guess I've learned some things since then. No idea what I was thinking then. :)
Excellent review living in Western Australia splitting local hardwood called Tuart about 16 inches diameter, it burns slow not to hot which suit our needs as our winters are not too cold. The wood has interlocking grain I have been using a Hart 8 lb maul it has forged head and fibreglass handle with a convex curve on the head (www.harttools.com/?product=hart-8-lb-maul). I can not split a 16" diameter Tuart log with this tool. I have to put 1/4 cuts across the end grain with a chain saw about a blade deep and use wedges to split into 1/4 then the maul works fine. I have the Gransfors carpenters hatchet and the sloyd axe love them both. I am thinking convex vs concave grind may generate different results depend on the type of wood. Contemplating the Grnsfors Burk maul as the Wetterlings does not seem to be available in Australia and has a similar head shape to the Hart maul.
Nice job god bless
you need the chopping block sunk into the ground as its to high = less effort + faster maul speed
I'll give that a try, thanks
Fiskars has a lifetime warranty
No other axe company has that..
That should tell you something
If I were you, I would re-evaluate your review/
00:21 is that a ghost in the background? Terrifying sound.
Chickens