I too have split 32"sycamore before with a upright splitter and had very little problem. Those logs were left to dry for 2 years. They were let dry to sawn into lumber,however there was a change of ownership, so they became firewood.
Ive sectioned oak with an X25, X27 and the Isocore. I would go with the Isocore. the other end doubles nicely as a sledge should you ever want to use a wedge to. Cant blame you here. Sometimes i get impatient when noodling and am in a hurry so i use the Iso. Oh, and ive never used it on elm either!
One of the first woods I ever scrounged was a truck load of perfectly straight sycamore, I thought i hit the jackpot! I certainly learned the hard way on that one. I did end up splitting a bunch by hand but saved most of it until a year or so later when I bought a splitter. Basically, that's one of my "never again" woods.
Get both! Sometimes the x27 is all you need and therfore it is almost the perfect splitting axe... but once in a while you need that little bit extra. I have both and don't regret it.
I picked up the Iso while we were out yesterday. Andrew lives in a place he wouldn’t want to have his muff modded ported saw running a lot to noodle (lots of neighbors) so we’re trying the quiet route. I liked that I could use this as a sledge as I don’t have a good one but I wondered if the X27 would be much faster. Will see in the next day or so.
I like the x-27 but for brute force, the Isocore 8lb comes out. I usually get them knocked down with the Isocore then finish up with the x-27 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Ive used the sledge on mine at the job a few times. Demo work, breaking down cast iron tubs, and "persuading" walls into place. Of course for pounding a wedge in too.
Was poking around Amazon. I didn't know there was a 6lb Isocore version. Wonder if there's any big difference to the X-27?