I just picked up a decent amount of axes and mauls from CL. I mainly wanted the original Sotz monster maul. My question is: is the “pinched” 10” long or so section of the handle by design to prevent slippage? Also does anyone know the brand of the red steel maul? I did a thread in the ax section showing my whole purchase. Not sure how many members frequent that section. Sorry for the partial double post.
Mine is like the red one but handle is straight. That is all I know about it, don't even remember where it came from. I do know it has earned it's keep.
I’m going to be straightening the handle and giving them a test run against my normal mauls and splitting axes
You wanted one of those? I think the pinched 10" or so section of the handle is for tying the rope around it so it won't slip once you figure out it works better as a boat anchor!
Haha. You may be right. I only paid $50 for the lot. If nothing else it will look cool in the man cave
Swung one of those for many cord , don't think I'm man enough anymore. It must have got run over to be bent like that.
I can’t really knock the monster maul for the crude blunt force trauma tool it is. When I’m not pulling the lever on my splitter I still use it. That’s the thing though: use it when it makes sense to. If I had a cord of hickory to split I’m not going to beat the heck out of myself swinging around that behemoth. A small, quick hand splitting session of straight red maple, or ash, and it’s easy work.
I have one of these also, I think it's given me more back problems than ranks of wood! and it does have a slight bend in the handle near the head but that's from an over strike, which jarred me enough haven't used it in awhile. Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
Wait a cotton picking second. Is that the maul you delegated to the dusty tool shed with the rounds of Red Oak, once the Black Locust and hydro splitter rolled into town?
Yessir! I keep it under my deck now mostly, for when I bring home a log or two and I don’t feel like getting my splitter.
I don’t know to be honest. I inherited it from my grandfather right before he passed. I’ll have to weigh it to be sure but I think it’s the 16. buZZsaw BRAD has the same one I believe.
Very cool man. It’s awesome that you have it to remember your grandfather by. Apparently they made 4 sizes. The 11.5 lb “lady’s maul” up to the 23 lb monster.
When the maul was new it had a piece of black cushioning foam over the end of the crimped handle, over time they dry out/ crack & fall apart. I bought two of them new in the 80s thats how I know. It was marketed as the Sotz monster maul.
My father still has his original Sotz Monster Maul, and it is identical to the orange one, right down to the slightly curved handle and the oval grip. That's what it is, by the way - an ovaled section on the handle to provide a better grip. His is the 16 lb version, I don't think I have ever seen one of the big 23 lb models. I built my own "monster maul" a few years back before I got smart and bought a hydraulic splitter. Picked up an impostor MM and cut the handle off as it was way too short, and had a friend TIG weld a section of heavy wall stainless pipe onto the head. I still use it for fun, when the kid wants to take out his anger on something or I'll bring it on Boy Scout camping trips and let them have fun trying to swing it. It's also great for just blowing up straight grained rounds like red oak and ash.
