Tell me about Axes....

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PLMCRZY

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I need a good one. I looked at lowes and home depot today, there are many shapes and sizes. I just need one to split wood decently. I heard about looking at the grain in the handle..... Why? What should i look for exactly? Id like to spend no more then $50
 
Quick summary of what everyone is going to say:
1.Axes are not for splitting, that is a job for mauls.
2.Big box stores carry cheep Chinese axes/mauls.
Both of these points are valid.
You are already getting the X27 guys pounding their favorite. (I have one too and it is a good tool but not the best in any category, but could very well be the best compromise in all categories.)
You will also get some comment about fiberglass handles being tougher, and wood handles taking more shock away from your hands. While true that fiberglass handles are stronge, the epoxy that holds fiberglass handles in breaks down and the head will work loose. (Very quickly on cheep mauls) And the shock that a good hickory handle takes out of your hands will quickly destroy a cheep hickory handle.
You will also get some guys that ignore your $50 price limit and start talking about their favorite axe/maul. It does not matter if it is a Gransfors or Sthil they are out of your price range. They may be nice tools but if you can't spend the dough what does it matter? Even the Fiskars is right on the edge of your price.
If you want to spend less than $50 you will have to shop in flee markets and yard sales to find a good tool. With wood handle you want the grain to be in the direction of the strike. You also want the outer wood (not heart wood) on a hickory handle. If there is some dark wood in a hickory handle or if the lines in the wood run perpendicular to the cutting edge you don't want it. Of course any wood handle is only as good as the operator. A missed swing, and over-strike, or even a misread split can put a dent or even snap your wood handle.

So you have 3 options.
1. Buy a cheep tool. Break it. Buy another cheep tool. Break it too. Curse because you could have spent less money now up front and got a good tool.
2. Get lucky and find an old quality tool used. Learn how to use it so that you never miss and the handle holds up or learn how to replace handles often.
3. Up your budget a little because the X27 is $50 plus shipping, and you will need a sledge and wedge for the tougher rounds as well. The Fiskars is not designed for driving wedges nor is it great at knots or crotches. You can always noodle what the Fiskars can't split and only buy one tool. But unless you find a free shipping deal you won't get a X27 for under $50. The X25 is a good tool too, but frankly I find the X27's handle to be a bit on the short side for my taste.
 
Welp guess ill order the fiskars. I was looking for a maul while buying my saw but the dealer did not have any.
 
go get a fiskars and dont waste you money on axes that will break and have no warranty. I've used a bunch of mauls for the past how ever many years i have been splitting wood and the x27 is sufficient for splitting most wood. When and if you want another one and you get the jack to do it, I'd dip into the subject a little deeper. Or if you want to you may be able to find a thread or video about how to shape cheap mauls into better ones. Good luck
 
The way the grain runs has little to do with the strength of the handle unless it is a dog legged one. Just make sure the grain runs the full length of the handle, The handle with the grain running up and down when the ax is stuck into a stick of wood is more likely to warp to the side.
I usually use heart wood for the hafts I make, Hickory or ash mostly but have made a lot out of white oak.
I almost always split out the wood for ax and maul hafts, that way the grain doesn't run out. I also want a fast growing tree for handles, the fewer rings per inch the better.
The longer the handle the better 36 minium. for just splitting any maul is better than any ax, except for the monster mauls.
And any edge tool will need sharpening, some need it when new.
 
FWIW I prefer a good hickory handle splitting axe or maul I just know how it's going to go down in here so I just decided to join them.
 

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