mp5n
ArboristSite Operative
You mean the $175 Gransfors splitting maul?
I'm 5'9", and the shorter handled Fiskars works sweet for me. Split some 28 inch rounds of black ash and birch the other day, and on the toughest of them it took two blows to split down the middle, always assuming one wants to split a bigger round down the middle. Mostly, I work around the edges to make corners and keep shrinking the round. A lot less work that way no matter which ax you use. Anyway, if I want to split it down the middle on those bigger tougher rounds, the first hard blow with the fiskars makes a big crack all the way through, with the second blow taking it fully apart.
I used both sizes before I bought, and the longer handle just didn't work as well for me.
Didn't know the price was that high now. I bought the maul 69.99 and the splitting axe 59.99 new off of ebay about 8 years ago. Both still have the original edge. I burn around 6 cords per year, so they see a lot of use.
There is just something about using a tool that someone put their initials on. You can go the the Gransfors website and e-mail the actual person who made the axe.
I would have liked to get the shorter handle, but for 34.99 I went with the X27.
I agree with your approach with splitting. If I can't half then quarter it easily I start on the outside and work my way to the middle. Don't get me wrong, it's a nice axe, but I really love the Gransfors.
I'll spend some time with it this morning on a little Sycamore. That should be fun!
MP5N