Comparison between Fiskars 8lb Maul and Fiskars Super Splitting Axe.
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- Опубліковано 30 лис 2019
- Here is a demo and review on the Fiskars Maul and Splitting Axe, let me show you how each one handles a large 24+ inch diameter piece of red oak.
Fiskars x27 Splitting Axe
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Fiskars 6lb IsoCore Maul
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Fiskars x15 Splitting Axe
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Fiskars x10 Hatchet
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IronClad Work Gloves
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#fiskars #woodsplitting #axe #maul #supersplittingaxe
Check out my newest wood chopping video here: ua-cam.com/video/OQQj5P51pS0/v-deo.html
This is the hardest oak to chop ever!
Great video
So, wich One do you suggest?
@Pier Paolo Fanari I use the axe 90% of the time so I would suggest it. The maul is overkill for all but the largest logs.
@Pier Paolo Fanari I use the axe 90% of the time, so I would suggest it. The maul is overkill for all but the largest logs.
@@JackofAllTrades1 so the maul Is too much?
@Pier Paolo Fanari that maul will split anything but it will wear you out much quicker. The axe is a nice size and easy to swing.
The sound he made when hitting the log is beautiful, this is gonna be my meditate soundstrack
The sound of wood being chopped is definitely satisfying.
Love how he threw his phone to not break it 😂😂😂😂
Jesus Christ thank you Jesus for blessing the comment section with your holy words. 😂
Update: hmmm.. your name is no longer Jesus Christ 🤔
Lol! 😂🤣
Ya that is what I thought
@@JackofAllTrades1 looks like the Roman's got to him
Been busting firewood 4 decades. I have the fiscars 8lb maul. The way it absorbs a lot of the vibration is amazing. Way better than my axes & regular 6lb maul. Saves a lot of time. I have always followed windcracks side 2 side, splitting n half until I get down 2 the size I want. Other than a knot or few slowing me down I usually make short work of it with the big maul, green or dry. Love these videos by the way.
Thanks Dwayne, I appreciate the support.
I use the fiskars x27 xxl to splitting 1 meter high and 60 cm diameter ash log and do the job no problem !
Love this splitting axe !
Great video! Clear camera. Good sound. Answered my questions.
Awesome Terrell, great to hear. Thanks for the comment.
Jack of All Trades NH You’re welcome. And yes I purchased the Fiskars Splittin maul. I intend on buying the splitting axe and sledge mane next week.
I worked for Gerber a sister branch of fiskars and will confirm that these are some kick ass splitters...
Nice thank you so much for uploading this video. You really brought some insight on what I was looking for and deciding about whether to invest in a maul or an axe. I don't know how to appreciate and show you my appreciation, thanks for sharing.
Glad I could help, thanks for the kind words.
Great job Brother...Much Respect from St Petersburg Florida
Hey, you are not far away. I'm actually in Sarasota now.
Thank you so much for watching this video, I really hope you enjoyed it. If you want to help support this channel and make it grow... just simply watch another one of my videos... that's all it takes... you don't even have to subscribe if you don't want to :) ua-cam.com/channels/lpcEytE1rgI_l28YX6jdQQ.html
This was useful. I’ve been splitting with the axe but when it bounced, I figured the wood needs more drying time. (This happened with cotton wood.) Seeing you bounce it yet have success splitting tells me bouncing happens. I’m going to add the Fiskars maul to my arsenal. (Love the axe). Thanks.
Greg, I'm glad this was useful for you. Good luck with the wood splitting this year, and I think you will enjoy the maul.
You split the wood before drying.
One of the few people I've seen that know how to hand split big tough hardwood. You hit right on the edge of the wood, not in the center where its strongest. Hit one edge a couple times, then sight directly across to the other side and hit it. Itll break apart.
Good job sir
Thanks for the comment, I really appreciate it.
Work with the natural grain of the wood. I use the heavy Fiskars splitting a ton of knotty Chinese Elm. Who needs cross fit when you can split wood by hand.
David Nelson it’s a hell of a workout for sure!
@@davidnelson7550 I've been looking at that Fiskars maul, but honestly it's not necessary for the wood types in AK. when I lived in Virginia, I used a Stanley brand 8lb maul for about 15 years and it worked great! Left it in Va, but I wish I hadn't left it now.
If you follow the cracks in the middle n hit it hard n fast it will split every time ,but you have to struck it on each side in the cracks ,yup.
Work fascinates me
I can watch it for hours
Thanks knightonagreyhorse
Good one😂
Good comparison. For rounds that big I personally start with a wedge, but for the purpose of comparison it was excellent.
Mike M thanks for the comment Mike
Yup
literally EXACTLY what I was looking for !!! get out of my head ! lol
Thanks !
Mike
Awesome, I'm glad it helped. 😀
I think you’ve set the round too high. If it were lower to the ground, you’d have more power from gravity.
I'd like to do this test over, with it on the ground, it's just been real hard lately to source logs... I can usually pick them up locally but I can't lift these myself into a vehicle so I need help and with the current situation, nobody wants to help. So I will do this as soon as things clear up.
Jack of All Trades NH no worries dude. Don’t try to kill yourself with trying to redo it now. I know how heavy those logs can be lol
grumplepig too low, and you kill your lower back, just the right height now
I mean, if doing logs for allday, in meaning of somesort of use. Not just for couple minutes of video. He had almost right height of chopping. I prefer even more higher,
@@Anonymous-jf4xm Lower, lower... get gravity on your side and steel toecaps a must when swinging with that force. It takes one overswing and that's your foot gone.
This is exactly the kind of video I was looking for. I went with the maul. Thanks!
jef westbrook I’m glad it helped.
being an ax man it was neat to see that good split as your round was broken further down, but a lot fewer strokes with the maul in the beginning. Thanks!
Thomas, thanks for the comment... it was a fun video to plan and make.
Great vid, thanks for posting. Watch your toes in those trainers. Steel toecaps a must when swinging with that force. It takes one overswing and that's your foot gone.
Excellent work! Thanks - much appreciated…
Thanks Dan!
This was ASMR for me. I love the sounds of wood splitting
I need to just edit this into nonstop wood chopping swings on loop to see if I can get my watch time up. :)
Nice comparison! I recently bought that Fiskars maul, great tool. I also have the Fiskars splitting ax, another great tool & time saver. I did videos on these plus a Harbor Freight maul that I used for the last seven years. When I'm splitting for the day if I do not see any cracks in the round after 2 or 3 hits I go to the wedge & slug hammer. After the first split it is easier for the maul or ax just like in your video. Plus it saves a little on the edge. The metal on the ax seems to get pretty beat up easily. Nothing a quick few passes with a stone or file depending on how much has to be done.
Stay safe, Joe Z
Hey Joe, thanks for the feedback, glad you are getting good use out of the maul and axe.
I have had that axe for several years now.. I have split tons and tons of wood with it, some slightly bigger than what he split in this video. Absolutely love it
This video had probably the largest split I've ever came across in my wood pile... I knew as soon as I bucked it that it was going in a video lol. Some guys up in the NW get some pretty big pines. They make easy work of the big logs.
I love the satisfying crack, once the maul splits the log after a couple swings.
I agree... it is satisfying. :)
This is incredible.
Excellent video! You must be strong as an ox! I've learned few tricks from you on how to properly split big rounds by hand. Thanks! :)
Thanks for the comment!
Mane I love the sounds sound like it explosion every time
You can feel the maul shake the ground a little with every strike too!
I bought each of them. Both great tools and both can be useful for different sizes of logs.
Yea, in my opinion they make a great team. I end up using the axe way more though.
Did dude just chuck his phone on the ground?! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
OK, subscribed 👌
Buddy didn’t want to break it 🤣
@@JackofAllTrades1 this was first of your videos I watched, and I didn't even need to finish it to subscribe, you sir have an immaculate sense of humor.
Greetings from the middle of the desert, in the Middle East.
Thanks buddy, glad to have you with us. I’m glad you liked it.
Cool video. I just bought the maul and im glad I did becausw ut has the sledge hammer as well. Thanks for tips...
I am glad I was able to help, thanks for the comment!
I have a Fiskars splitting axe and I recommend it. I had a big tree down this fall (big birch, three foot diameter, big limb broke off in a storm in September, so I had the rest cut down in October.) I've used a maul but I prefer an axe. It's not about how many times you swing the axe but how much effort each swing takes.
Wow, a birch three feet in diameter? I don't think I've ever seen one that big... what sub species was it? White, yellow, black? I've seen the yellow get maybe 18 inches and they are generally better to burn than the white as far as btu's go. Thanks for the comment.
@@JackofAllTrades1
Hi Jack, it was a silver birch or white birch (Betula pendula). Big tree, but pretty rotten in places. Hard to chop those parts, it's like hitting a sponge. I live in Finland. I have mostly chopped it up but still have a ways to go. The days are pretty short right now so there's not much time to work. Merry Christmas. Vance
Vance Mead I was about to ask if you live pretty far north... I’ve seen parts of Canada where only white Birch grow and pine. Here in the US, there is a root rot that takes place in those trees and the top crown will rot off then the rest of the tree dies. They will stay standing for years though afterwords.
I really need a new wood splitting tool I just looked in my shed and I don't even own any. And a got a plumbing job next week.
That's right Jack. Actually after checking it is a 4 1/2 lb. maul I use as a wedge. Picked it up from Tractor Supply. Works well.
Yeah I would just wedge that thing right down the middle. Split it in half you should be good with the axe from there.
I own and use both, but I get more work done without tiring with the axe. I save the maul for the really big stuff, and switch to wedges if the Isocore isn't making much progress.
I do the same...it just makes sense. I have far more control with the axe which helps refine my aim. Thanks for the comment.
You got some back mate. 💪🏻 I've seen people splitting with a little splitting wedge and a hammer, I'm in the UK and I don't have any rounds that size or even close lol. I use a fiskars axe they are awesome!!!
Yea, they are great... well designed. Thanks for the compliment.
Love it. Nice job my friend. Nice exercise 👌💪💪💪💪
Thanks... check out the updated video I posted like this. That was one heck of a workout!
Both are great tools but I prefer the axe any day. It’s my go-to tool for hand splitting. Thanks for sharing friend! Those were some big rounds!
I agree, the axe is my go-to. Thanks for the comment!
Thank you Jack OAT for your kind response. I have a you tube channel as a guitarist (much less popular then yours.) and even though there are always “those comments“, I am truly grateful when people appreciate what I’m trying to bring about poor chime in and add to the body. I might see you one day hopefully I will move back to the north east. Hopefully to Maine or New Hampshire. Take care and keep making these videos
Oh man, yea ... “those comments” .. find something ppl are passionate about and half of them think you are doing it right and the other half wrong. There are times where I have to actually delete comments.... over splitting wood! I’ll check out your channel, good luck with it.
I love the vid and I just subscribed
I'm really glad you like! It took almost 5 hours to bring this one together post production so it's great to see it's getting some views. I try to post new content every week.
So just off the first one, yeah the axe had more hits to split it, but they were both 30 seconds +/-1 start to split.
I like the Fiskars ax, I find it much less tiring to swing than my maul. It makes short work of 10-12” logs. Really great tool.
I agree Pete, I like the axe as well.
I've got the axe and it's been great..but after getting some red oak similar in size to your demo ..I bought a splitter. To much huffin and puffin for this 65 yr old in R.I ..good bid buddy thanks!
Thanks for the comment Adam, I agree it is a lot of work and I've spent many a night awake with a sore back lol.
Right red oak tuff. Ferget about elm, or cotton wood
That’s a serious piece of wood and you made it look easy
Thanks Josh I appreciate it.
great vid!!! thanks!!
Thanks for the support Alex!
I use Fiskars 31" axe, works great I've split numerous cords of oak and ash some cherry. I was going to spend the $ on a Hult Bruks or some Scandinavian brand but my girlfriend bought me the Fiskars for Christmas and the shopping around stopped. Great axe!
I love burning cherry ... the sweet smell it gives off when you split it too... good stuff. 👍
Nice video. Thanks for sharing that.
However, could you tell me what is the wood you split in this video ?
Thanks. Greetings from France.
Pas de Pseudo hello, this is Red Oak I am splitting in this video. I hope all is well in France 🇫🇷, thanks for the comment.
Great video thanks for the comparison, I have two trees down in my yard, one I already cut up with my Husquvara Rancher Chainsaw ,now I need to start splitting, I checked out both of the at the local Ace Hardware here in Boston, the splitting ax is light , I liked it , but the maul felt like the hammer of Thor and could split anything especially with a wedge, I suppose ideally it would be good to have both, but I think Ill start with the splitting ax
You can do most anything with the axe and some effort. Getting the maul and doing everything will wear you down fast. Plus side tho, you will look like a lumberjack in no time lol
Just bought my second Fiskars.
They're awesome.
Also in NH.
Awesome, I lived just outside of Manchester for years.
I have both of these tools. BUT!; I ALSO have; a Fiskars 6lb maul; and I love it!
I agree that the 8lb is functionaly too heavy; but the 6lb swings like an axe. They are a little difficult to find; but definitely worth the search!
Above I stated that the 8lb maul was too heavy. I should have qualified that statement by adding; "for continuous use". There ARE times when I will reach for the 8lb when the 6lb seems to be ineffective.
Oh I bet they are great. I've never seen one, but it sounds ideal.
Just the comment I was looking for. Although I'll probably end up getting both the x27 and the 6lb. Not sure if buy twice cry twice is a thing, though both together and on sale is inexpensive. So maybe just my back "crying" after I've used them both for a while.
@@nate2807 lol, my back cries a lot too.
Thank you. I think I'm convinced I should buy neither of them 😅
Lol
I have the X27 axe because it had a good warranty but switched to the maul and it was really good for bigger blocks.
I feel the maul is nice to have around "just in case" I've had stuff that the axe wouldn't even dent, but the maul could handle. You wouldn't wanna split all day with the maul though unless you are a hoss though.
Dang. Good job 💯
Thanks
Hydraulic log spliter for the very largest or knurled pieces. Fiskars splitting axes of varied sizes for the straight grain logs.
Yea I would def use a log splitter for anything that's been sitting a while... like the recent video of me splitting the white oak with a wedge. This red oak was fresh though and split easily.
The 36 inch haft length was standardized when the adverage user was 5 foot 4 inches tall, adverage user today is over 6 foot tall. Because if that the 36 inch haft is short enough to be dangerous for taller people to use. I personally like a 40 inch haft on axes and mauls. The fiskars presented a challenge to lengthen the haft, but wasn't insurmountable. A pound of steel weight added to the back of the head improved the performance of the fiskars ax immensely. At the start of the swing the lighter tool might be moving a bit faster, but on impact the difference is negligible. The longer haft does increase the speed and force of the head.
Interesting piece of information there... thanks for the input.
Been using the Super Splitting Axe for the past few years. I absolutely love it. I also have the 14” hatchet and 28” chopping axe. Hatchet is great for limbing and camp chores/hiking. Chopping axe is great for felling small to medium trees and even one handed limbing, if you’re reasonably strong/big.
The Fiskars handles are unbelievably tough. Gränsfors Bruk uses better steel, and are gorgeous, but as great and lovely as wooden handles are, nothing beats Fiskars for durability, price and overstrike protection. I look forward to getting the maul soon. Thanks for the comparison.
Mr. Tangent, I actually have that hatchet... it's super sharp. I've not yet figured out how to add it to my videos though... I don't use it as often as the others. I'm glad you like my content, if you stick around I should be shooting my 100th subscriber hike video here in the next few days (I'm a bit behind). The weather has been real crummy lately and I want to avoid doing it in poor lighting. Thanks for the comment and take care.
Earned a sub from me. Exactly what I was looking for, no marketing BS, just straight to what matters.
Thanks man, I'm glad you liked it.
i have both and if i cant split it with the axe its not likely splitting with the maul, reason being is i can generate so much more speed with the axe. i have one video on here and i should make another showing green oak split easier the drier oak.
I love the Fiskars splitting ax, I have the X27 which is the same thing. It makes a traditional maul look very bad! I bought the X27 because I think swinging a 8 lb maul is too tiresome and cumbersome. The Fiskars X27 is approximately 4.25 lbs, nice 36 inch handle and great wedge profile. I use it for large rounds, mostly balsam fir. Balsam can be extremely dens and knotty despite being a soft wood. I love traditional hickory handles too. 3 1/2 lbs to 4 lbs for a single or double bit is perfect for light to medium duty splitting. I also acquired the Husqvarna S2800 splitting axe for my birthday last month. I really like it too. I believe its made by Gardena. The beard gets stuck a bit more in the wood, it has a less robust wedge profile but I like the 27 1/2 inch fiberglass handle and 5 lb handle. Lots a splitting power in a more compact ax. A bit more pricey at $100 but I think its well worth it. I paid $50 for the Fiskars X27 a year and a half ago. Both are great and easy to hand file too. Different axes and mauls for different tasks.
Richard. Thanks for the comment. It sure is a great splitting axe.
You can see from your breathing how the maul takes far more effort than the X27. To start the log, I would use the maul, but then quickly move over to the X27 so that you could keep going all day.
Good video, I have a series of the Fiskars axes, but no maul. I would use the smallest axe that will split the wood easily in order to reduce the energy expended per swing.
Hey, thanks for the comment... yes the heavy breathing is from the maul"s weight coupled by a general lack of regular cardiovascular activity. 🤣
I picked up the same maul but its the 6lb version. This puts it right between the Super Splitting Axe and their 8lb maul. Giving you the lightweight feel and speed of the Super Splitter with the same head design as the 8lb Maul.
Nice.. I didn't realize they had a 6lb version. I bet it's easier to control.
Maybe splitting hairs, though would be good to see you compare the 6lb and the x27.
I use a 3 1/2 lb. maul instead of a steel wedge. A couple strikes on it with my 8 lb. maul splits all but the most difficult blocks. Much better than tapping a steel wedge to get started. All one's effort is concentrated at one point. Instead of multiple blows that stray from the initial strike point.
Leo, so you use two maul's at once? One kinda like a wedge but with a handle and the other to beat it in?
Thanks for the comparison! I have the splitting axe and have been thinking of getting the maul. I don't think I saw enough of a difference here to justify the purchase. I'll just stick with the Estwing wedge for the larger stuff (which I don't have too much of).
The axe itself can do a lot of work. I used it alone for 2 seasons with no issue.
Thanks
i actually use them with each other if couple swings won't give me a good sign it's busting then i'll use axe as wedge sure they take some extra wear but accuracy and experience could help limit wearing drastically
That sounds like a good technique. I used the axe head just today to bust a bunch of dirt off a rootball..roots all... seems robust enough to handle the hits.
i live in new hampshire also....and i have a fiskars splitting axe and the fiskars maul...and i had to split red oak.....and the both went thru it like a hot knife thru butter.....ive tossed all my other mauls and axes because i love the fiskars...i will never get rid of them
05ramadi they are actually fun to use... not a pain like some of the others I have used. Thanks for the comment.
After splitting wood by hand for the past 40 years with a maul that I made myself, I am wondering if a store bought maul might be better for these nearly 70 year old hands, I was looking at this very one at the local Tractor Supply. It is about the same weight but has an impressive handle compared to my home made unit.
It feels really well made and I think you won't be disappointed with it. Well worth the price.
Which one has better and harder blade?I use X27,it has good handle for work.But blade is little bit to soft.Of course it's not the main for splitting wood.But ...
mykolaj20161 Mykolaj The maul has a thicker blade on the cutting edge than the splitting axe... I’ve not had to sharpen the maul yet and have sharpened the axe. My bottom corner also wore down quick on the axe, but I’ve been through 4 times more wood with it.
I own both plus four more Fiskars and I love them!
What’s your fave?
(Australian wondering these parts :P ) Used the Maul and still do. Works great on some of our tougher woods, but definitely takes some energy. Have used a fiskars axe but I don't believe the 36" (one down I believe), could be wrong but that actually split wood fairly well considering we had no solid surface (was at a place I worked at). Actually have watched a couple of your videos and enjoy them. Cheers for the comparison. However have you used a Tasmania Style axe before? (helkor make a nice one - Older generations of Tasmanian's have 'Hytest' ones). Fairly nice axe but have had limited use personally.
Hey, thanks for dropping bye. I’ve never heard of the Tasmanian axe... might be something from your part of the world only. Cheers
@@JackofAllTrades1 Hey, never got the notification for this, annoyingly. Anyways, If you're interested I'd suggest maybe quick google or something, might be something worth reading about anyways :)
Cheers
Australian gum wood is bloody tough to split, hence I'm looking at the Fiskars maul as an option and found this video.
I have both but use the Super Splitter 95% of the time now that I got that.... helps the elbows....
i have the Fiskars splitter are, between those two. it's the best tool I've used.
I agree… it’s a great axe.
Great video brother. That was a biggun.
Thanks Tim, I'm glad you enjoyed the video.
Dam you are another Paul Bunyan 👍👍
Jack, i appreciate this video as i chop a lot of wood and am looking at a new axe.
so info i looked at....the weights of these items as listed by amazon is 5.85 pound for the axe and 10.4 pounds for the maul. here is a thought: the axe took 19 swings which means you moved 111.15 pounds while swinging it. the maul took 17, you moved 176.8 pounds. That's a difference of 65.65 pounds of work. you could have swung the axe 11 more times before you equaled the weight you moved by swinging the maul. i am not advocating for either, i was just interested in the numbers...i was surprised at the difference in weight moved. over the course of a day of chopping that could matter. What do you think? As an archer, pulling a bow back, the weight adds up quickly.
That's a very interesting perspective on this and not something I thought of. The maul wears me out, no doubt about it.... I feel it the next morning. I can get away with chopping with the axe, as long as its not all day... and it doesn't really affect me. I think the best of both worlds would be to own them both and only use the maul for the big/difficult stuff... so just keep a pile on the side and maybe do them once a week. Thanks for the comment.
This is a good question. That is what I was thinking. It seems like the maul might be better up front and then then axe. He is very strong and that makes a difference. I yield many different axes. I too am a traditional Archer. However I have a 34 inch draw and my bows top out to 75-95#. I’m lucky and 59 years old that I’m strong enough to draw that weight with ease. But it translates well into yielding axes. I think if I had to chose one, it would be the axe but ultimately I’d like both. Great video
@@TheGuitarRoom Both of your comparisons are interesting and make a lot of sense... I have never seriously used a bow in my life (if you don't count the hand-made one I used to take down a robin in 1988 from 12 yards) but the work is very similar and laboring over time. Thanks for the compliment and I appreciate that you added value to my channel... both of you.
Until 4:47 in the video, a great alternative is to use a sledge and wedge. After 4:47 you can finish up with the maul or splitting axe.
Good point TJ. I've found from posting this video that lots of people use wedges to split wood. Thanks for the comment.
I have both of these. The lighter tool is easier to swing for sure! Splitting effectiveness is not completely about the force put into the wood, but, like swinging a baseball bat, the energy at the striking point is proportional to the weight but also proportional to the speed squared. So sometimes it's better to swing a lighter tool faster. Which one makes you more tired at the end of the job?
I can swing the axe for hours but an hour on the Maul and I'm wore out.
I have both of these axes. Use the maul for twisted wood
That's a good use for it. That stuff is hard to pull apart.
I was surprised. I don’t personally use a maul. I’m an axe, wedge and hammer guy.
I thought the maul would smoke the axe but ultimately it was only beat by a slim margin. Wonder what the effort to product ratio is
I'm not sure how it could be measured but if you can see how much harder I am breathing after trying to swing the maul at the same pace of the axe lol.... it's a lot harder on the muscles and cardiovascular system. Thanks for the comment!
I don’t have a sledgehammer. Or a maul. I guess I’ll be buying one!
Honestly, the maul is fun to use... its well built and demolishes the rounds. Enjoy 😊
Good video! I've got a bunch of rounds similar to the one on this video. I think it's the same type of wood. My question to anyone in the know is... Will the rounds split easier if I wait a year for them to get "seasoned"? Right now I have them stacked between two trees. I have the Fiskars 8 lb. maul.
This really depends on the wood species... in my experience some get a bit more stringy as they age but overall I think the drier they get the easier to split.
@@JackofAllTrades1 Thanks! I think they are red oak. I just subscribed!
@@SalLazuka awesome, thanks for the support. I'll be splitting white oak here soon and showcasing 3 different methods. ... maybe in a few weeks once I get things lined out... was gonna save it for when I hit 2k subs.
I love my fiskars axe... those are cute lil rounds
Lol, I had to search real hard to find hardwood this big. We get pine this size all the time though.
@@JackofAllTrades1 lol good point we ain't got no hard wood in Colorado
You've got excellent aim there sweetie!!! Doesn't it look to you like the splitting axe is a bit more efficient??? And do you think you may want both sugar bear???
Both are worth having for sure. :)
I have both; the maul is a beast
Mona, I agree!
I hand split log the same size red oak. Some larger. I do not split the same way. I use chisels and a 5 lb hammer and split in the checks. Once opened up. Then start reducing the round with a 18 lb maul. Smaller rounds I look for checks and hit there . The round opens okay, for my abilities. Your way uses to much energy and a lot of strain on the back. I do many cords that way. Not saying I am a lumber jack, but have split wood that way for years. No back strain issues. I recently purchased a log spliter getting older, need to make my work easier. Hand splitting will be done in an area where the spliter can not go.
I did the same George... I eventually got a splitter to make quick work of it all but still run across large ones that only the maul can do. Thanks for the comment.
That maul is nice I just think it’s a waste of work compared with the ax. Should’ve just started right down the center where the existing split that was already in the round was. Could have halved the piece in 4 hits with the ax drawing a line. Putting the piece on the block also a waste of energy. Use a bungee cord around the whole round to save even more energy. After the initial cracking down the center every other split of that red oak could be accomplished in one hit easily with the ax.
I've never had any luck going down the middle with something this big and this green. It was bucked just a few days prior... check out some of my earlier video's where I go down the middle with the axe... it's not pleasant.
@@JackofAllTrades1 I almost always see an existing split in the center, even on freshly cut rounds. I’ve had excellent results using an ax with light cuts to draw a line across the diameter and through that existing crack. Usually you’ll hear the log crack as you near the OD where it has more leverage and you wouldn’t have even hit it hard. After that it’s just slicing a pie. Also I’d like to apologize for being a bit too critical in my first comment. I should know better than to criticize a guy in the Northeast busting his ass with an ax. Sorry
Having recently looked into and purchased a X27, that splitting axe is NOT a X27. It is the semi reasonable facsimile that the big box stores sell. I almost bought one since I had a couple of gift cards to the blue box. I realized that at the very least the handle is different from a true X27 as is the SKU of the pseudo axe vs the X27. I bought an X27 online for the same price as High's was selling their rendition for. I've split about a face cord of green, stringy ash and am thinking about dubbing it "Greased Lightning ". It's much more efficient than my old school 8lb maul!
Yea I love it... makes quick work of most logs. Thanks for the comment.
Thank you again Jack “OAT”. Thank you. I look forward to having you check my channel (channels actually) out and I really look forward to learning from you! I have yielded machetes (grew up in the mountainous jungles of Puerto Rico) and axes my whole life. People always ask how, what and why. Well, I’m self taught so I don’t really know WTF I’m doing. Same thing with guitar. One of my most hilarious moments as a guitar player/teacher is when I had somebody out at a local club tell me that I wasn’t playing a part of a song right. I very politely disagreed with him and he got snotty with me. This is the most shocking part. I pulled up the record credits and showed him that I played guitar in the recording. He still corrected me. You can’t account for some people. 🤣🤣🤣
Hey, I like the video but can you tell me why you are squaring the logs to split them? I have hand split many cords of 24" and greater red oak with the X27 only and I always follow the natural cracks in the wood to half, then quarter, then I split the quarters down as needled. Half splits typically take about 3 to 5 strikes, quarter splits take 1 strike. It's only effective this way if you find and split with natural cracks. Not meaning to be a critic of your technique, but if your way has advantages then I'd like to better understand.
Ed, I have no problem cutting seasoned wood that way. I run into problems with that (your) technique whenever the rounds are really large and very green. Typically there are no natural cracks in freshly bucked rounds and hitting down the middle just produces a bounce. Hope this makes sense.
@@JackofAllTrades1 totally makes sense. Green wood is either rock hard or wet mush. I let them sit for a few weeks or so until the natural cracks form. Thanks for the reply!
@@Redneck_Ed I appreciate the question, you add value to the channel.
@@JackofAllTrades1 fresh cut red oak splits far easier than letting it dry, once it turns dark like that its far harder to split. i had aguy helping me and he said its green so it splits hard so i took a chunk that had sat for 6 month and cut a green one and he found out i was right.
Nice splitting style,🇮🇪🇮🇪
Thanks, I love that folks from around the world are watching my channel. Cheers
I used to swear by my axe but now I'm so used to this maul I can't go back. Only thing I use my axe for is kindling.
Once your body gets used to swinging the weight of the maul it's so much faster than an axe
You must be a big dude! I'm 200lbs and that thing wears me out lol
Good job knowing to start near the edge...And if the log doesn't like the attempt to split it you can try flipping it over cause wood likes to be worked one way more than another like planing. Disagree with lifting that log tho until it's quartered at the very least, good luck with your back tomorrow
Lol. Thanks for the tip.
What wood is that? Looks good!
This was some red oak....heavy stuff!
damn Ninja - you in good shape bro.
Deltadawg660 thanks, that maul killed me though... I was struggling to even speak 🤣
That giant round you split is beautiful! I’m guessing it was a walnut?
That was all red oak from what the lineman told me when the tree was fell.
For such a big log we use a John Deere with 100hp. In germany.
Thomas Schäfer I wish I had a compact tractor... like a JD1026r.... I could get so much work done and save my back too 😂
Great workout! Just subscribed, now go rest😂 great review Take care🚜🪵🇺🇸
Thanks Larry :)
Good work. You should keep the wood on the ground. The throw is longer and more speed and power is built. Find a crack in the heart of the log and work it.
I always use an axe. Never a maul. A well shaped axe will get you further. Not just any axe works for me.
That was a mean chunk.
Tim, thanks for the comment.
Should I wait for logs to dry before splitting?
Drove my wedge in the I'm getting huge amounts of water out of the from the rain lately. Not to mention it's a huge pain to split them.
Depends on what type of tree it is? Red oak and Ash split really well when they are first cut down... but not all species of trees are the same. I have no experience with a wedge to be honest, but I'm sure the kind folks here will chime in and give you some advice. Also, I typically cover my wood with a tarp if I can during the rainy season to avoid excess moisture. Thanks for the comment and have a nice day.
My opinion is that is better dry them. The wood became more flexible when is soaked in water and became more plastic for the wedge or elastic for the axe and the maul. for the wedge makes some difference but with the maul you can feel the water "protecting" the log when you hit him. it's a bouncy sensation... when the wood is soaked in water feel like try to cut an inflated tire with an axe.
Here's the thing. Leaving wood to dry makes it easier to move or lift, but as Jack says some trees are harder to split dry and some almost explode on the hydraulic splitter if left too long.
There will be some old time who knows.
Cool video
Thank you Wouter De Gier
Which one tires you out more? Ya 9 swings is less than 14, but that maul wasn't any faster.
The Maul is definitely more work. Ideally I would use just the axe and bring the maul out for a hard one.