Been working ridiculous hours since I'm a seasonal worker... Thought I'd treat myself to a new splitting maul. I figure a good axe is like a nice german kitchen knife. Buy it once... I've had the $30 specials from the big box stores. Not all that great in the end. I will post a review of the Granfors Bruks splitting maul once it arrives and I have a chance to try it out. Anyone know how to sharpen these to keep them pristine? I figure it's like a chain...needs attention to function correctly. The only concern I have is the 5.5lb head. I like a heavier maul. Maybe the design will make up for the lack of weight.
Ooo your gonna like it FC! The one I used worked very very well and just felt right in my hands. My buddy sharpened it before every use with a diamond hand file. I want one but the splitter stops me because the axe would hang more than be used. Still.....
Anything by GB is really nice! I look at that tool as something to be able to pass on from generation to generation. I know there is a lot of stuff on Youtube about sharpening GB stuff. I have my eye on their small forest axe for years. As far as the weight goes, I think that's fine at 5.5lbs, heck my Fiskars is less than that.
I want to try one of the Husky splitting axes myself. I keep forgetting to order one when I get other stuff. I would like a GB but not sure I'll spend that much on one.
I figure I would try it. If it's a good tool, then I'll recommend it. If it's overblown and not worth the dough, then I'll learn a lesson. But it will be nice to have a handmade tool either way. I appreciate stuff like that.
12 lb is heavy. I've never swung anything like that. As long as it's sharp, that should have a lot of force. I guess it depends on how fast you can swing it. Force = mass X acceleration from what I remember from high school physics.
Don't use it more than a few times yearly now,but my late 70's original patent Sotz 15lb monster maul (reinforced with 1/4" wall galvanized pipe handle adding to the mass) NEVER got stuck in any wood.Period.Cant say that about my Fiskars X25,27 or most other axes/wedges in my arsenal.Even the normally excellent 3 German,Austrian & Swedish twisted steel wedges have almost gotten buried in some huge gnarly Silver Maple,when I forgot to use a pair instead of a single wedge... Used it all the time until spring 2011.Getting too old to use it all the time now,but it still has a limited place.Close to 20% of all the wood I get the X27 just bounces off of.Until I bust 'em open with the sledge/wedges or quarter 'em with one of the big saws. Then it works great.
Nice splurge there firecracker. Those are lookers for sure. I don't think too many folks put the coin into one splitting axe but if I did it would be one of those. I have not seen many reviews on them so I look forward to how you like it. I just saw a sharpening stone that they sell and it is fitted into a round case. One side is 180x and the other 600x.
I need a sharpening stone...that will be something to research. My Lowes axe would benefit from a good sharpening. I like buying good quality stuff when you can. Buy it once...have it for life.
"only concern I have is the 5.5lb head. I like a heavier maul" … I'd have to use a splitter's log lift to use it… wait… what?
Just got done outside with my 8 lb maul. It may need a sharpening. When I get a file and the new maul, I'm going to do a video to compare. Wish I had a Fiskars for the review. I know those are crowd favorites.
Arrived today. Initial impressions were...razor sharp, good feel, handle had some imperfections. Split some wood with it....very nice indeed! I will be splitting a lot more by hand from now on.
I'm digging the protective metal collar around the handle. I always overstrike and tear that area up.
Glad to hear you like it. Those imperfections just add to character. I would recommend a 12" double cutbastard file for when you really need to remove somes burrs.
I'm tempted to buy a Fiskars to compare them. Maybe I'll bring it to the FHC gathering and we can film a review against others' splitting equipment. Hint, hint!!!
Very nice! It may or may not split wood better than the next maul/axe, but it's sure nice to own a high quality tool.
Thistle, I have used a Sotz for more than 30 years. There was a guy selling some NOS lighter ones a while back but I could not justify the $100 price tag.
