GREAT video Dan! Dick Westbrook here {Old Guy Firewood}. For large rounds like that the single wedge is best. For 12” and smaller rounds the 4 and 6 way will be fast and consistent. I have the same splitter and can certainly relate.
Looks like the single wedge is the winner. Especially for bundle wood . The 4 and 6 way wedges are nice for getting the round down to smaller pieces faster. With the 4 and 6 they are actually cutting the wood rather than letting it split where it wants to. Great video Dan.
I have the WR28C. We have 3 fireplaces and don't sell any wood. I use primarily the 6 way. The gnarly pieces I find easier to start fires with. Very glad I found your channel, it is what inspired me to go with Wolfe Ridge. Keep the videos coming. Great job.
I pick the single wedge! Splits easier clean uniform pieces and less waste. When you always use a single wedge you get pretty good at making the most of the cycle of the ram. You become very efficient! I believe although you can save time with the 6way you will then take more time stacking shaggy odd shaped pieces. Nice comparison video Shifty👍🏻👍🏻B🆒
That is a good point on the added time stacking splits off the 6 way...lol...they do tend to be better fitted for just a loos pile than a stack! hahahaha 👍 😀 🍻
I like the job you did comparing your results for the three wedges. I have watched you split wood many times and seen the results. It does not appear to me that speed is that important unless you have a quota, and the quality of the looks of the splits is much better using the single wedge. Go back a couple years when you split wood with your father. Now that is the way to split wood, father and son working together. Husband and wife is good too.
Very good point and yes...I'm lucky to not have quotas or production metrics to meet. I'm very seldom in a 'hurry' or at a point where speed matters. Never been a fan of rushing something enjoyable...lol 👍 😀 🍻
Hi Dan - it's Big Rodders in Ireland. An most interesting and educational video, which is a good lesson for us all. Over here stoves and fireplaces are smaller and split sizes are important - it's no use have the perfect log if you can't physically get it into the stove! I have always favoured a single, tall narrow knife on a vertical splitter for that reason as there's also less struggle with resplitting wood on a flat table. Also, the single wedge output is more easily stacked than the 6 way. I don't mind what amount of kindling is produced as its useful for fire lighting. To broaden the issue further, the real test for producing firewood is the total time needed for any given volume of wood from commencement of bucking to final stacking and it would be fascinating to get a greater insight on this approach. Some folk get hung up about size and speed of chainsaws, power of splitters etc but those factors in themselves don't result in maximum production. Now I need to sit down with a Capt Morgans and regurgitate all those statistics again - Cheers!
Great comparison. I have an outdoor wood boiler so the 6 way is my wedge of choice for the size logs you split. 1 pass for me for pieces in the wood boiler.
If the splitter moves the wedge, vs moving the end plate, the single wedge comparison is faster because you don’t have to move the full log as much when double or triple stacking for the following splits. You only have to move the stack a few inches for the next split. Anyway, just a difference I noticed as my splitter moves the wedge opposite of how yours does.
I like that slogan....single to impress, 6 way to git 'er done! I enjoy the single...it's one of the few things I have somewhat the most control over in life! Hahahahaha
Well not knowing which one was harder on the back I would pick 6 based on the production alone. Knowing that it can be switched back for things like knots and interlocking grain is a added bonus.
Great video Dan. My splitter is home made and only has a single wedge. I like the control with a single. Have considered buying a fancy splitter like yours so I would have a 4 and six way but I think I'm good. Thanks.
Iam gonna say the single way!! That was pretty interesting on the results!! The 6way is faster if your not splitting for appearance!! Sometimes faster isn't always better hahaha!! That was a really cool test! Stay safe my friend 🍺🍺🍺💪
I wish I had a adjustable 4 way that go down flat so could just use the it as a single when needed. I just do wood to burn so 4 way on the big blocks be about right. Good video 👍🏻👍🏻
I would say the single wedge makes great bundle sized wood with less kindling! My 4 way and 6 way for the wolferidge 28HO are great for getting the 16" rounds busted down. So we shall see.
Yes the 6 way splits faster, but the quality on the single is much better. The real winner is the box wedge IMO...hard to beat those consistent sizes and speed of a box wedge. They come at a cost though. Good comparison video!
I have an "American" brand splitter made in New York State comparable to your splitter. I bought the 4 way splitter head. It has been a challenge using the 4 way so as you just use the single. I am in full agreement with your review.
If your looking for 'good looking' splits, it's hard to beat the single wedge. much more precise, less scraps. The 4-way, in conjunction of moving it out of the way to cut single wedge pieces would be my next choice. 6 way too messy. As to time.. Hard to say. Seems most of the comments are consistent. Looking at the SuperSplit that Joe at OWB uses for bundling is ideal for precise, bundling pieces is a good comparison. Nice video! -Dave
Great video Dan with top notch editing and surprising results considering the speed of splitting for me. As said by other commenters the 4 way is a good compromise. But then again, it depends also on the diameter of the rounds and the quality of the wood (I think you call it gnarly in English?).. Hope this B40 upload gets a lot of views and new subscribers! Take care and best regards from Belgium.
Thanks Ludo....yeah one big factor is also size of the round going in. That can really make a difference with using the 6 way if no re-splits are needed. 👍 😀 🍻
Nice video. I think every wedge has a use depending on the product your putting out and how it's used. I don't look at anything as waste, it's an underutilized material. You can make money by turning it into a finished product.
If spend a little more time on practicing with the wedges, am pretty sure the 4-way wedge would be the best compromise in speed and waste versus split size consistency.
It would interesting to see the same test with the same size round on the Eastonmade Axis…….Adam at Hometown Acres or OWB should give it a try. Not saying one is better than the other.
I’m new to the channel and just wondering if this is your full time job? Also do you do a lot of tree removal or do you just have logs dropped off at your splitting site? Just curious, thanks!
Nope, not my full-time job. UA-cam & Firewood is my side hobby/hustle...lol. I have a good friend who does tree removal and brings me a lot of the wood. Welcome to the channel and the Back 40 community...appreciate ya being here! 😀 👍 🍻
Dan, good Test Video. It might have been a better video if the two piecies of wood didn't have knots in them but when you are splitting big rounds of wood you can't alway's get waht you preferred but in a test situation it would be a more fair example. Of course that is my opinion and the way my view would be.
For me I would pick the single wedge. You're a young man and the amount of times the wood gets stuck on the 4 and 6 way wedge is work to remove it. I would think over a couple of hours of splitting the single wedge is easier on your body. Me I split boiler wood so I would of split that in half or quarters.
I tell all my customers that if you're looking for gochie wood, I'm not you're guy,not that I wouldn't do a custom order for a little extra money, mostly back yard and a few who burn it a fire place, so far
4 way all day! Although the time between single and 4 way is not what I expected.The knot with the 4 way didn't help. Most of the paint is still on my 6 way, looks good on the shelf as a conversation peice!! However,,,,Taking this one step farther, if you divide the time by how many pcs you split, you have almost twice the pcs with the 6 way per second spent splitting. That's a good thing if one likes tooth pics.
I think you have more control with single wedge. I prefer wedge shaped pieces rather than the block. Wedge pieces normally burn better. Quality over quantity.
This is particularly true for recreational burning- where you want a FIRE, and not just long sustained heat. I've found that slab and wedge shaped pieces burn nicer than squares and blocks. The latter contain more wood in the middle compared to their surface area, so once the outside wood burns off, the rest of the chunk burns much slower because it's getting less air. Full rounds burn slowest of all, unless they're fairly small. The blocky shaped ones do stack real nice, and make a very stable pile. I handsplit, so technically I'm a single wedge guy, lol. Now, if I could just improve my #$%^ing AIM, I'd have more consistancy! But that's fine- I like a variety of sizes and shapes. For cooking vs lookin' at; long burners to keep it going; small pieces to start, re-start, or increase the flame; log cabin vs parallel log vs tepee lay, etc. Smalls are also good for when the wood is green or semi seasoned and I want it to dry quicker. (that's also where the wedge and slab pieces shine)
I'm flagging this video. You put a round with a knot in it and wrecked the experiment. Get your s**t together Dan!! Just kidding. Awesome video man!!!! Keep em coming
Hahahahaha....yeah I thought the same thing as soon as I seen the way that 2nd round split...and then the snarly piece that was left over from it....lol 👍 😀 🍻
Thanks...was fun putting together...didn't think the single would come in with the time it did. Guess the saying is true...just keep it simple! Or single...lol
"Any Wedge"??? The Axis is limited to ONLY a single wedge so......lots of variables come into play. A 10" round through a 6 way is one pass...not with the Axis.
@@Back40Firewood, am speaking of the precision you were going for in this video. With a cycle time of 4sec, is hard to beat it when adding in the precision angle. IMO
I prefer to use my single wedge. Not in it for speed or “pretty “ wood! It all burns and keeps my butt warm! Guess I’d not be the one to sell to restaurants! Lol
Shif-T this demonstration is the exact reason I built my splitter and wedge the way I did. High power, high speed, and nothing more than a 4 way that at the flick of a hyd lever to take it from single to 4way. No need to remove wedges. My opinion is 6 way is too much most of the time unless you have a diameter 10-14”. Outside of that is slivers and scrap and goofy sized splits. Boy I bet you would be at home with a vertical splitter?!…Humm I wonder if Chris is making something 🤔🤔
This wasn’t a fair test as the knot screwed things up. Also, you fudged up on how to split with the 4 way. Good video. Fun video but I think there are too many variables in making a certain determination on which wedge is best. 👍🏼
GREAT video Dan! Dick Westbrook here {Old Guy Firewood}. For large rounds like that the single wedge is best. For 12” and smaller rounds the 4 and 6 way will be fast and consistent. I have the same splitter and can certainly relate.
You can’t beat how nice of wood that single wedge makes!!! No waste. 👍
Looks like the single wedge is the winner. Especially for bundle wood . The 4 and 6 way wedges are nice for getting the round down to smaller pieces faster. With the 4 and 6 they are actually cutting the wood rather than letting it split where it wants to. Great video Dan.
I have the WR28C. We have 3 fireplaces and don't sell any wood. I use primarily the 6 way. The gnarly pieces I find easier to start fires with. Very glad I found your channel, it is what inspired me to go with Wolfe Ridge. Keep the videos coming. Great job.
I pick the single wedge! Splits easier clean uniform pieces and less waste. When you always use a single wedge you get pretty good at making the most of the cycle of the ram. You become very efficient! I believe although you can save time with the 6way you will then take more time stacking shaggy odd shaped pieces. Nice comparison video Shifty👍🏻👍🏻B🆒
That is a good point on the added time stacking splits off the 6 way...lol...they do tend to be better fitted for just a loos pile than a stack! hahahaha 👍 😀 🍻
Very interesting, great demo Dan 👍
I like the job you did comparing your results for the three wedges. I have watched you split wood many times and seen the results. It does not appear to me that speed is that important unless you have a quota, and the quality of the looks of the splits is much better using the single wedge. Go back a couple years when you split wood with your father. Now that is the way to split wood, father and son working together. Husband and wife is good too.
Very good point and yes...I'm lucky to not have quotas or production metrics to meet. I'm very seldom in a 'hurry' or at a point where speed matters. Never been a fan of rushing something enjoyable...lol 👍 😀 🍻
Thanks for an unbiased video, advertising can make anything look awesome.
Hi Dan - it's Big Rodders in Ireland. An most interesting and educational video, which is a good lesson for us all. Over here stoves and fireplaces are smaller and split sizes are important - it's no use have the perfect log if you can't physically get it into the stove! I have always favoured a single, tall narrow knife on a vertical splitter for that reason as there's also less struggle with resplitting wood on a flat table. Also, the single wedge output is more easily stacked than the 6 way. I don't mind what amount of kindling is produced as its useful for fire lighting. To broaden the issue further, the real test for producing firewood is the total time needed for any given volume of wood from commencement of bucking to final stacking and it would be fascinating to get a greater insight on this approach. Some folk get hung up about size and speed of chainsaws, power of splitters etc but those factors in themselves don't result in maximum production. Now I need to sit down with a Capt Morgans and regurgitate all those statistics again - Cheers!
The 6way wedge seems to make a lot of kindling! I agree with others and would think that the 4 way would be best.
Good demonstration Dan.👍👍
Interesting test! Thanks for sharing Dan!
Scraps I have no issues there they make awsom fire pit time especially on Friday & Saturday night's..
Thanks for the demo..😊👍
Hahaha....good point. Is nice to have something to burn ourselves sitting around the fire pit. And I have plenty!! lol 👍 😀 🍻
Great comparison. I have an outdoor wood boiler so the 6 way is my wedge of choice for the size logs you split. 1 pass for me for pieces in the wood boiler.
I would agree with your conclusion.
The single wedge did a neater job
No splinters no waste
And the pieces were all about the same size
If the splitter moves the wedge, vs moving the end plate, the single wedge comparison is faster because you don’t have to move the full log as much when double or triple stacking for the following splits. You only have to move the stack a few inches for the next split. Anyway, just a difference I noticed as my splitter moves the wedge opposite of how yours does.
Very informative video awesome thanks
Dan great video. It really depends on what clients want. The different wedges to use can fit a clients desire after seeing these results.
Yep...that's the key. What the desired end product needs to be. 👍 😀 🍻
I like the single wedge. Safer way to split. You cannot sacrifice safety for speed and Dan certainly knows about pinch points!
More control = better quality. Single wedge to impress, 6 way to git ‘er done ✅
I like that slogan....single to impress, 6 way to git 'er done! I enjoy the single...it's one of the few things I have somewhat the most control over in life! Hahahahaha
the 4 way looks like a good compromise between speed and quality of split?
Yep, I would agree...it's usually what I split with the most. Has control and can pump out the wood. 👍 😀 🍻
Well not knowing which one was harder on the back I would pick 6 based on the production alone. Knowing that it can be switched back for things like knots and interlocking grain is a added bonus.
Great video Dan. My splitter is home made and only has a single wedge. I like the control with a single. Have considered buying a fancy splitter like yours so I would have a 4 and six way but I think I'm good. Thanks.
End product is what I like . I don’t mind it taking a little more time !!!
Iam gonna say the single way!! That was pretty interesting on the results!! The 6way is faster if your not splitting for appearance!! Sometimes faster isn't always better hahaha!! That was a really cool test! Stay safe my friend 🍺🍺🍺💪
I wish I had a adjustable 4 way that go down flat so could just use the it as a single when needed. I just do wood to burn so 4 way on the big blocks be about right. Good video 👍🏻👍🏻
Great video
I’d be happy with a variety in size for getting a campfire started-burning at different height for a evening! Single wedge is pretty though!
That's a good point, a variety of sizes can be beneficial, although most don't think of that when burning in their backyard. 👍 😀 🍻
I would say the single wedge makes great bundle sized wood with less kindling! My 4 way and 6 way for the wolferidge 28HO are great for getting the 16" rounds busted down. So we shall see.
So when you measure the square foot of each bundle ( good product no waste) how do they compare?
Yes the 6 way splits faster, but the quality on the single is much better. The real winner is the box wedge IMO...hard to beat those consistent sizes and speed of a box wedge. They come at a cost though. Good comparison video!
Yep I'd have to agree if you want same size nice looking splits the box wedge is tough to beat...and yes, they sure do come at a cost...lol 👍 😀 🍻
I have an "American" brand splitter made in New York State comparable to your splitter. I bought the 4 way splitter head.
It has been a challenge using the 4 way so as you just use the single. I am in full agreement with your review.
6 way makes good kindling!
I like the single wedge style because I use that style of splitting with my wedge splitting type of splitter lol.
At any speed that splitter is amazing
If your looking for 'good looking' splits, it's hard to beat the single wedge. much more precise, less scraps. The 4-way, in conjunction of moving it out of the way to cut single wedge pieces would be my next choice. 6 way too messy. As to time.. Hard to say. Seems most of the comments are consistent. Looking at the SuperSplit that Joe at OWB uses for bundling is ideal for precise, bundling pieces is a good comparison. Nice video! -Dave
Cool video bud. 😎🤙
I'M GLAD THE FIREWOOD OLYMPICS WAS AT YOUR HOUSE THIS TIME AND NOT IN CHINA... STAY COOL BROTHER... PEACE...
LOL...yes, these kind of games are best hosted right here in the woodyard. Hope all is going well down there for ya my friend! 👍 😀 🍻
Does a box wedge fit that model of Wolf Ridge? Curious if that would be different.
Nope, there isn't a box wedge option available for this model.
I have never run more than a single, a "4 way" is the most I would do. It all comes down to control of size and consistency for me.
Great video Dan with top notch editing and surprising results considering the speed of splitting for me. As said by other commenters the 4 way is a good compromise. But then again, it depends also on the diameter of the rounds and the quality of the wood (I think you call it gnarly in English?)..
Hope this B40 upload gets a lot of views and new subscribers! Take care and best regards from Belgium.
Thanks Ludo....yeah one big factor is also size of the round going in. That can really make a difference with using the 6 way if no re-splits are needed. 👍 😀 🍻
Nice video. I think every wedge has a use depending on the product your putting out and how it's used. I don't look at anything as waste, it's an underutilized material. You can make money by turning it into a finished product.
As far as campfire wood I like pieces of all sizes. Even for wood stoves. Can't have them all big or all small.
No need to have any thing but the single wedge really. Works good.
If spend a little more time on practicing with the wedges, am pretty sure the 4-way wedge would be the best compromise in speed and waste versus split size consistency.
Each wedge has it's place. I prefer the 4way but the 6way is great in 10"-14" I use the single on anything bigger than 18" and knotty.
I would go with the single wedge
6 way will be the best! 🇺🇸
6way, except more scraps in the 6 way. That's what I got when I split cherry yesterday
It would interesting to see the same test with the same size round on the Eastonmade Axis…….Adam at Hometown Acres or OWB should give it a try. Not saying one is better than the other.
You need OHIO WOOD BURNER opinion on what a restaurant would accept. Interesting idea on this topic, thanks...
666 way
oops 6 way
I'd say the 4 way would have been the best and winner if not for the knot
I’m new to the channel and just wondering if this is your full time job? Also do you do a lot of tree removal or do you just have logs dropped off at your splitting site? Just curious, thanks!
Nope, not my full-time job. UA-cam & Firewood is my side hobby/hustle...lol. I have a good friend who does tree removal and brings me a lot of the wood.
Welcome to the channel and the Back 40 community...appreciate ya being here! 😀 👍 🍻
@@Back40Firewood thank you for the welcoming response! I look forward to checking out your content!
I don't know if your splitter can mount a box wedge on it. You split fairly small so that might be something to look into.
Nope, unfortunately it can't use a box wedge.
Stay Away from the coke shifty. Stay away’. Love you man!
Dan, good Test Video. It might have been a better video if the two piecies of wood didn't have knots in them but when you are splitting big rounds of wood you can't alway's get waht you preferred but in a test situation it would be a more fair example. Of course that is my opinion and the way my view would be.
For me I would pick the single wedge. You're a young man and the amount of times the wood gets stuck on the 4 and 6 way wedge is work to remove it. I would think over a couple of hours of splitting the single wedge is easier on your body. Me I split boiler wood so I would of split that in half or quarters.
I tell all my customers that if you're looking for gochie wood, I'm not you're guy,not that I wouldn't do a custom order for a little extra money, mostly back yard and a few who burn it a fire place, so far
Ssme here my firewood is not pretty but it will stack decant and burn 🔥
4 way all day! Although the time between single and 4 way is not what I expected.The knot with the 4 way didn't help. Most of the paint is still on my 6 way, looks good on the shelf as a conversation peice!!
However,,,,Taking this one step farther, if you divide the time by how many pcs you split, you have almost twice the pcs with the 6 way per second spent splitting. That's a good thing if one likes tooth pics.
I think you have more control with single wedge. I prefer wedge shaped pieces rather than the block. Wedge pieces normally burn better. Quality over quantity.
This is particularly true for recreational burning- where you want a FIRE, and not just long sustained heat. I've found that slab and wedge shaped pieces burn nicer than squares and blocks. The latter contain more wood in the middle compared to their surface area, so once the outside wood burns off, the rest of the chunk burns much slower because it's getting less air. Full rounds burn slowest of all, unless they're fairly small.
The blocky shaped ones do stack real nice, and make a very stable pile.
I handsplit, so technically I'm a single wedge guy, lol. Now, if I could just improve my #$%^ing AIM, I'd have more consistancy! But that's fine- I like a variety of sizes and shapes. For cooking vs lookin' at; long burners to keep it going; small pieces to start, re-start, or increase the flame; log cabin vs parallel log vs tepee lay, etc. Smalls are also good for when the wood is green or semi seasoned and I want it to dry quicker. (that's also where the wedge and slab pieces shine)
I'm flagging this video. You put a round with a knot in it and wrecked the experiment. Get your s**t together Dan!! Just kidding. Awesome video man!!!! Keep em coming
Hahahahaha....yeah I thought the same thing as soon as I seen the way that 2nd round split...and then the snarly piece that was left over from it....lol 👍 😀 🍻
6 way and btw great idea for a video.
Thanks...was fun putting together...didn't think the single would come in with the time it did. Guess the saying is true...just keep it simple! Or single...lol
Much better looking wood with the single wedge.
The Eastonmade Axis would smoke any wedge on a horizontal splitter except maybe a proper box wedge machine for speed.
"Any Wedge"??? The Axis is limited to ONLY a single wedge so......lots of variables come into play. A 10" round through a 6 way is one pass...not with the Axis.
@@Back40Firewood, am speaking of the precision you were going for in this video. With a cycle time of 4sec, is hard to beat it when adding in the precision angle. IMO
I think the 4way
hi there i still like the single . john
I used to really like the singles...then I got married. Now the single wedge is the most control I have over anything in life....hahahahaha 👍 😀 🍻
@@Back40Firewood you know it takes a crazy person to recognize a crazy person so
lucky we arent crazy . john
What splitter is this?
It is a Wolfe Ridge 28 Ton Pro C model. 👍 😀 🍻
l will go with the 4 way
I prefer to use my single wedge. Not in it for speed or “pretty “ wood! It all burns and keeps my butt warm! Guess I’d not be the one to sell to restaurants! Lol
4 way!
6 way
6 way.
4 way is clumbsy for making small pieces and the 6 way butchers the pieces. single wedge does the best job
4 Way
Single will be cleaner looking & less scrapes.
4-way will be acceptable looking with a bit more trash.
You can get more money for the better looking wood so the extra time is not wasted
Shif-T this demonstration is the exact reason I built my splitter and wedge the way I did. High power, high speed, and nothing more than a 4 way that at the flick of a hyd lever to take it from single to 4way. No need to remove wedges. My opinion is 6 way is too much most of the time unless you have a diameter 10-14”. Outside of that is slivers and scrap and goofy sized splits. Boy I bet you would be at home with a vertical splitter?!…Humm I wonder if Chris is making something 🤔🤔
He is its coming soon!!!!!!
best thing for speed dan is get ammanda to do the job. haHa
Not trying to be annoying, but it sometimes looks like you are pouting when you split :D
4way
I would say that that 4 way would be faster
6way
This wasn’t a fair test as the knot screwed things up. Also, you fudged up on how to split with the 4 way. Good video.
Fun video but I think there are too many variables in making a certain determination on which wedge is best. 👍🏼
6 way was ‘fugly’
6
I woulda burned all 6 pieces outta that 6 way as is !
For outdoor I'd say the single made the best.. if you sold indoor 1 shot through the 6 way wood have been the winner hands down..