The OP asks about getting good value for the money on wedges. This is your reply to help him?
Already got good answers why wedges are needed. And now without knowing him his techniques are flawed?
To further help the OP along, the sly comment really helps.
Here since the OP is looking for good value for the buck, your translation is he's looking for the best price, of which he isn't, then you again remind him his techniques need to be better. That's helpful.
First you say
"Why do need wedges for bucking?", then you say
"Wedges have their uses in bucking, of course." Which is it?
Then again without seeing the OP's
flawed techniques, he's now running
through many of them? LOL!
GG, trust me I understand your frustration here, although I don't understand his posts as an attempt to help you, rather than stir something up.
I've wrecked a few wedges by using them in smaller diameter trees while felling, no biggie. I use wedges frequently in bucking both 100"inchers & big firewood rounds. It saves me from having to do an undercut when there's no room, from having to roll a log over and they help me from the frustration of a pinched bar!
I usually don't pay much attention to brand names when it comes to wedges. Size, length and design interest me more and I pick them up at about any local saw shop. I've noticed with all of them the back end will mushroom a bit and some will have the wedge edge start to chip away. Had one finally break up into 3 pieces in sub-zero temp's, but was pushing it felling a large back lean oak.
Adios.
StihlRockin'