Archived from the Tools In Action forum (Hand Tools). This thread is read-only.
Good Day Crew!
I am looking for some recommendations for a log splitting axe. It’s just for home use, I will only be splitting a few cords a year.
Thank You in Advance,
-Steven
I’m a fan of some of Stihl’s axes. They make a pretty good splitting maul as well if you are in the market. I can’t remember which one we have. Have to check when I get home.
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I’m partial to mauls over splitting axes because it drives wedges better and doubles as a sledge better than a splitting axe doubles as a felling axe. I also find a maul sticks less often.
Quality really doesnt matter unless you overstrike frequently and want a stronger handle. I currently use an old rusty maul head found in a forest mounted on a trimmed down 2×2 and it works fine. Of course if I ever overstrike the handle will be shot but who here doesn’t live on the edge.
The fiskers x27 is seriously the best splitting axe I’ve ever used. The thing just works really really well. Check it out on youtube or reviews on amazon..
I’ve used the Wilton bash Splitting Mauls. Very well made and “unbreackable”. If you have the extra coin I would check these out.
http://www.wiltontools.com/us/en/view-series/b-a-s-h-splitting-mauls/SpltMaul
I think the axes at big box stores are garbage. Poor steel an fiberglass handles aren’t my idea of a good axe. Unless your gonna go to a specialty arborist or logging store an spend a easy hundred bucks or more on one I don’t think anything new is of good quality.
With that said I bought a few at flea markets cleaned them up an with help from a friend we put on new handles. I also have some from my grandpa.
It’s really not hard to put a new handle on. My friend made one out of hickory he had in his shop. If you are looking for something easy you can buy axe handles online or at a good farm supply.
For the head itself I used steel wool to remove rust. I then briefly hit the edge with a flap disk to get Knicks out then finished with a hand sharpening stone.
Awesome, that narrows it down a bit. Not sure I want to invest a ton of money, has it won’t get much use. On the other hand, if I do spend the money it will last a lot longer.
I second the fiskers x27
I also would chose a maul over an axe any day, been using axes for years and I just gave up and brought a maul best thing I ever did. Id also get one with a fine hickory handle none of that fiberglass rubbish 😉
My brother bought me a Gransfur Bruks Scandanavian Forest Ax a few years ago for my birthday. I had always purchased whatever I found at the local hardware before that, but now it is worth it to me to save a little longer and get a tool like that. The quality is off the charts. They have have both a splitting maul and a collar guard splitting axe. They aren’t cheap but you’ll have them for years.
Another vote for the Fiskers mauls for the money.
I would like to try the Wilton bash, it looks like a beast.
why would you buy an axe over a maul? my grandfather has an axe but my family as always bought mauls.
Bailey’s has the 6 lb. Wilton Bash for under $50. That’d be my choice:
Conductor562 wrote:
Bailey’s has the 6 lb. Wilton Bash for under $50. That’d be my choice:
If I needed a new splitting maul, I would buy this one.