Nice tools you got there! I am not sure what to think about the ironing board in the shop, but at least it's got a chainsaw on it!
Just wanted to check in, I'm the OP on this thread and wanted to report that after 2 years w the ISO Core, I'm super happy with it. Has never failed me. It is very rare I run across something it won't split.
I still use my hydraulic splitter, but my kids and I use the ISO quite a bit. I love it, it's way faster. The three of us will go out with the ISO, conventional maul and sledgehammer w/wedges and have a race. It's fun and the kids enjoy the competition.
Couple of things i do like about the 8 pound fiskars, it has a cross pin in the head, and the warranty of course is great. The 36'' handle looks to be shaped so its not to be uncomfortable to use with a wedge. By that i mean when you turn the axe to use it for wedging, the bump on the rear of the handle may not be so bad that it could bother the heel of your palm. Head bonded to the handle like the X27 is a good deal as well. I've got a gas splitter, but, just might give one of these a try. I've got a 6 and 8 lb maul with a wooden handle, the wooden handles can and do get beaten up over time. And a 8 lb maul with a chunk of pipe welded to the head just isn't in my plans for the near future, ha,ha. Should have added, how many use the X 27 with a steel wedge??
I like mine too. But I did run into some nasty, knotty pine that absorbed it like a sponge. The only thing that would split that was a hydraulic splitter.
