I split most of our firewood by hand, with a X27 splitting axe. It is one of the best tools that I've purchased. There are some pieces of wood that are too tough for the Fiskars X27. Is the 6lb Isocore maul noticeably better on those tough chunks than the X27? I have the eight pound Isocore maul, but it gets heavier with each swing.
When the axe can't cut it I go with my sledge and a couple of Aluminum Oregon splitting cones.They haven't failed me yet.
I dont hand split much anymore with the Isocore (8lb i think) mainly used for sectioning big rounds into lighter chunks to handle. If the X27 (i own and sometimes still use it) wont handle it i'd noodle a chunk into a pretty "split" as Mike stated above.
They are nifty looking with the black plastic, but I've broken two of the x27's in cold weather. Cold weather being 30 below or more. I like to split when it gets cold because the wood splits so much better. Fiskars did warranty them both times. Can't doubt that. The isocore I broke driving concrete stakes. My fault there, wrong tool for the job. I like the x27 to stay on my fourwheeler for summer, but use a normal axe to split in winter if I need now.
My X27 doesn't get much use after aquiring the 8lb ISO. I've been dealing with larger rounds lately though.
Thank you for your responses! My take-away is that it will be difficult to rationalize buying a 6lb Isocore maul, having the 8 pounder and a X27. I will look for other ways to get a fix for my FAD (Fiskars Aquisition Disorder) .
I use my IsoCore more than my x27. I didn’t even know there was a 6lb IsoCore! dang it RichE23ACR now I’m going to be looking at a new maul! does anybody have all 3?
I've been using a Truper splitting maul for the past 3 years. I'm not sure how much it weighs. For Christmas I received an X27 so today I got some ash rounds and decided to do a comparison. Similar sized rounds from the same tree. Truthfully, I think the hardware store maul (Truper) got a crack started a little faster than the X27. I like 'em both but I don't think that the Fiskars is significantly better. The fact that it came gift wrapped helps.
I’d guess the splitting maul is much heavier. A better comparison would be the splitting maul to the ISOCORE.