New here and trying to get all the appropriate tools and safety gear to do some bucking and splitting. I assumed people used mauls for splitting but it seems like people use a lot of "splitting axes" as well. For a first purchase, which one, maul or splitting axe and why? Do people ha e both and what do you use them for over the other? I like the mueller ones but the US distributer doesn't offer many of their products....
What are you splitting, and are you strong? I am am 54, and have and use a Fiskars x27 and an Isocore to split mostly pine and Douglas fir. I like having both. If I had to choose, I would go with the Isocore maul.
Welcome to FHC, Matt! There are a lot of people here who swear by the Fiskars x27 splitting axe. Myself included. See if you can get your hands on one in a store, as some people find the handle too long. My x27 has put my mauls into retirement. The other splitting tool that I just love is the Stihl PA20 splitting hatchet. I even use it on big stuff. I mostly split oak and some maple. With these two tools, I’m pretty much set. Though, I do get out the wedge and sledge on real ugly pieces. But your question was what to get first. If I could only have one, it would be the x27. I understand however, that not everyone likes the x27. For those folks I bet they would like a heavy maul. Buy ‘em all and let us know what you like!
You will probably want both, unless you are splitting mostly smaller and/or easier to split wood like Oak. I would get a maul and a couple of wedges first as that will take care of just about anything. A splitting axe is not going to work well on large/twisted/knotty rounds. Use the maul/wedges to "open" the round and get it into smaller pieces, then the splitting axe from there. I like the Fiskars products, reasonably priced, quality and a no nonsense lifetime warranty.
If you get an isocore and a couple wedges you be set to start , no need to even buy a sledge hammer . The sledge hammer side with it's wide face is excellent for smackin in wedges , I do my splittn with hydraulics, that's the main reason I bought mine , I was needing an 8# sledge . My 2 ¢ NEW Fiskars ISOCORE 8# Splitting Maul
I have both & use both. The splitting axe is great for most of my rounds, usually red oak. When I come up against a round where the trunk splits or with a major branch in it I use the maul or the maul & wedges. I started with the maul & wedges and could split anything. When the maul started getting a little heavy I added the splitting axe. My splitting sessions go a lot longer when I use the axe for the easy stuff... YMMV KaptJaq
I may lead you astray! I like both a maul and an axe for various strength. The fiskars are great because you are less likely to break them and there warranty is top notch. I like the Husqvarna composite handle a bit better then the fiskars they just have a better fit and finish and seem to have a better steel. I use my maul more then my axes I really like the Husqvarna large splitting maul. But with a wood handle and you just starting out u would suggest one of the above for a season or two before adding it. Overstricks are going to happen.
Really like the vise holding the saw on the 4 wheeler. My goodness, once you load up your tools you don't have much room for wood!! That is quite the selection of axes and mauls. Amazing inventory.
That is part of my Mobil workstation lol. The two platforms are movable to set for various workspace. There is also 12 volt ran to the vice platform to power various tools like the chain sharpener.
I have the Fiskars splitting axe and ISO Core. I use the ISO core for big rounds and splitting axe for everything else. I'd start with the sitting axe, you can get most stuff splite with it. If you get into some bigger stuff you'll want the ISO core
I have a couple splitting mauls . don't use them much. I splurged last fall and bought an X27. I Really like it. It is a pound lighter than my single favorite wood tool which is a 5 lb rafting ax. Hands down the single best tool made. However , they are no longer made. Seriously sucks !! Growing up in Maine, we burned a lot of elm. It didn't take very long to fully and exhaustively figure out that beating splitting wedges was the stupidest ect.ect thing known to mankind !!!!! IF THERE WAS A CHAINSAW AVAILABLE !!!!!!!!!!!! ( I wonder how many exclamation points I can post ) !!!!! A sharp chainsaw . With half decent bar and an X27. Is about all you need to split most any firewood. Even an electric chain saw ! Tho a hot rodded394 or 2100 Husky will Really get your attention!! For big coastal conifers I prefer my 5 3/4 lb completion/work ax and a couple plastic 12" falling wedges.
I kinda enjoy beating on wedges, splitting by hand is an excellent stress reliever for me, half an hour of wailing away with an axe or maul can make the chittiest of work days all better...but I do get what your saying, it's not the most efficient method.
One reason I don't use a maul very much is I use the stick lift flip smash method. Stick the ax in the block/ round , lift it up over my head , let it roll so the block is down /poll is up . Then swing down hard so the poll strives the splitting block with the weight and speed of the piece being split driving it thru the ax head. When I was young and strong I could do it with 100 lb rounds. The older I get, the lighter the rounds. Down to around 50 lb rounds now. A 5 lb Collins Rafting Ax is perfect for that. The 4 lb works good also. I've done it with the X27 and it works fine. That's a trick I lernt when I was a kid growing up in Maine. I've showed it to a bunch of people out here. Some of them are all scared the block will fall on their head. It doesn't if the ax is stuck in well.
I still say both are useful but in my timber and my hands the Husqvarna large splitting maul is the one that will always be in my stable. It just works for me.
I prefer a maul. I have an X27 and I think the handle is too long. I'm tall and lanky, I don't think I need that long of a handle. It tweaks my back a bit using the x27. So for me the Stihl pro maul takes the cake. Expensive, yes, but it has a lifetime warranty, as does the cheaper step down from the pro model. I broke one of the handles on a cheaper one last year and the dealer/Stihl replaced it for free.
I use both. Axe for smaller stuff, maul for the big rounds. I love axes and use them a lot. I would get the maul cause that will do everything. And you'll get more free excersise!
You might wanna give X25 a shot - works fine for me (i`m 6 feet tall). What i like about those Fiskars, they're friendly towards my wrist. Been using heavy Axes with woodhandles all my life, i like em alot as its classic stuff but they make my wrists goin into agony after 2 hours woodchoppin. I use a maul usually only for driving split or felling wedges... i reckon i prefer an axe but maybe i never had a good maul so far. I kinda fancy this one: Zhe Ochsenkopf (Oxhead) site in english.
I have a Vulcan Splitting Axe, which is kind of both, an axe and a maul combined, and it would be great, but its cutting width is just too small. In destructible though, cheap at $30, and does the job.
