procarbine2k1
Addicted to ArboristSite
I split all of my wood with a Luddell splitting ax before buying a splitter. If I had to buy another, I would give the Fiskars a try. I have even seen them at my local Walmart.
No, you arent supposed to hit it with a hammer, they tell you that right on the axe sheath/carry handle. Not designed for that at all, not to be hammered on, or not to be used to bash steel wedges either. Its a lightweight axe, not a maul. Use it like an axe, it works, use it like a maul, it wont. Different swing, different technique.
Not sure why it wouldnt work for you, I have done tons with mine, all sorts of wood, and I have the stacks to prove it. As do many other guys here. It doesnt do every single piece well, but around 90% of what I cut, various species and sizes, it busts readily.
I guess since I have used the Monster Maul for so long I really don't think about other methods. I swing it overhand from way behind my back, the most effective way I have found.
By the way, I have found a source for the original Sotz Monster Maul, but they aren't cheap ($110). PM me if you want the info.
I've had the fiberglass handled home depo mauls and have the shorter hanled fiskars as well as a monster maul, but the one that I use almost always now and has surprised me the most is the Helko Vario 2000 5lb splitting axe. The design is easy to work on and makes the most power for a 5lb head that I have seen. I would go so far to say that it gives up almost nothing in power to the monster maul. I like the whole thing from the 36" arched handle to the shape of the splitting head. Every part is replaceable and changing out a broken handle is the easiest I have seen. I have sold firewood for about 10 years in the past and heat with wood currently and do all my splitting by hand, so I have put these different ones I have mentioned to a pretty good amount of testing. This is just my impression though.
OK, ya made me try the x25 again, and I'll have to admit it works pretty well. I thew it down to begin with 'cause of the short handle and it stuck. A can of silicone fixes the the sticking, got an x27 on it's way to fix the short handle problem.
I've got a splitter for the tuff stuff, but I like to hand slit for exercise. I see these Crossfit people beatin' on tractor tires with sledge hammers. At least I'm accomplishing something when I'm swinging.My neighbor uses my splitter more than I do.
Mike
I've had the fiberglass handled home depo mauls and have the shorter hanled fiskars as well as a monster maul, but the one that I use almost always now and has surprised me the most is the Helko Vario 2000 5lb splitting axe. The design is easy to work on and makes the most power for a 5lb head that I have seen. I would go so far to say that it gives up almost nothing in power to the monster maul. I like the whole thing from the 36" arched handle to the shape of the splitting head. Every part is replaceable and changing out a broken handle is the easiest I have seen. I have sold firewood for about 10 years in the past and heat with wood currently and do all my splitting by hand, so I have put these different ones I have mentioned to a pretty good amount of testing. This is just my impression though.
I saw those the other day when I found that websight. I was curious if the handles wouldn't rattle loose…
I can imagine that! :cool2:
Fiskars X27. I've only owned mine since Thursday and I already look at my old maul with disgust.
If I were the cameraman and seen someone swinging a maul sideways like that....i would have run like heck.
I'll have to pass on Fiskars stuff, because of substandard materials.
From a Physics standpoint the equation for kintetic energy is KE=1/2*m*v[SUP]2[/SUP]
If all you do is drop it then v is the same no matter what the weight, so if your tool is twice the mass you deliver twice the energy on impact. If you swing the tool at twice the speed you deliver 4 times the energy on impact. So swing the heaviest tool you can swing fast. I have an 8lb maul from the tough stuff, and I can swing it fast but it takes a lot out of me - but I am not just dropping it.
I have never seen an anvil on a stick from the old days when people heated only with wood - they knew better.
Likely, but it isn't really a maul, just a somewheat heavy axe!
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