Been splitting the hickory from my recent scores yesterday and today. Using the Isocore exclusively. Havent split with it or any type of maul for that long in ages. I go though cycles with whatever splitting implement i use. It was the X27 for a while and then the Collins axe then a mix. Been halving rounds with Isocore and finishing them off with others. Man, splitting hickory a good workout for sure. Arms are a touch sore, but in a good way! Filled up the entire face of the stack pictured plus 1/2 of the one behind it between today and yesterday! Still have a few to go. Been a while since ive split this much hickory at once and forgot how much wood shards it makes. I was not going to mention "stringy" The Wood Wolverine ! Ive owned it for over a month and HIGHLY recommend it to anyone considering getting one.
Wish I'd have taken pics of that gum I tried splitting. It acted just like the elm pics I've shared. Check out this thread posted here on FHC. Black gum %$#@*&^(!…… I guess the oak spoils ya Brad!
I bought an isocore after your recommendation about a week ago and I really like it. I wish I had bought one when they first came out, because it’s an awesome tool. I think it’s easier on the hands than the x27 because it doesn’t have that big pistol grip at the end, and it has some flex to it to deaden the shock. Not to mention it’s a beast splitting wise.
I usually use the Iso almost all of the time. Today I used the X27 entire day. But it was for majority half rounds of that have been stacked since july. Had a few over swings at first until I got use to the lighter weight of X27.
I’m curious to try a splitting tire. Do you just lay a tire on top of your normal splitting surface? Of do you elevate the tire off the surface ? Maybe a pic? Also, great job as alway buZZsaw BRAD ... those are some nice chunky looking splits stacked nice and loose. Will get some good airflow that way. Makes me think I have been splitting too small lately. I think I need to go back to beefier splits but then there is the additional drying time ......
Tire on top of a big round. Screws and washers rt into the round. No idea why people split without one unless like i said they like bending over alot
Road-side Oak heres mine, i need a bigger tire though. Sometimes the splits jump out if im doing a smaller round or i fill it with a few small rounds and beat em into kindling. You tube it theres alot of vids on it.
another good one is a length of chain with one of those short black rubber bungees on it to hook on the chain and you wrap it around the round and it holds the wood together as you split it
Lately iv been using my dads old straight handle craftsman maul. The aftershocks feel better in my hand than the x27 Now i gotta line em all up for a test tomorrow
I normally get them tighter but with the stringiness the stack was "looser" if that makes any sense. I seemed to have sized the splits slightly larger than my normal which is the same as a 4x4 post. The log count (its an OCD thing i do sometimes when i split) was less as well per face and half cord. The completed stack pictured is a face cord...6.5' x 5.5' (16" long splits). I guess it was either to have the split slightly larger or two small splits when sectioning the round. Good assortment of diameters as well from a simple half split to ten splits per round. Ive seen the tire method before but have never tried it.
Something has to be done about all these awful puns and plays on words....I'm developing bruises from them!
I don't have the isocore yet, only the X27, but I have nothing but great things to say about Fiskars. I was stubborn and put off buying Fiskars products for a while. thought my old tag sale wood maul was fine. What a world of difference. Maybe soon I'll spring for the Isocore!
I dont use one as i split in multiple locations. If i had one large specific area then id make one. Looks like its perfect for one whack splits like oak and ash. I dont mind bending over but my back isnt too fond of it! Besides i look at it this way...excessive bending over helps me prevent getting a spare tire!!!
