Splitting wood by hand

sherpa · Jul 7, 2013

Who splits their wood by hand?
I am looking to buy me a new splitting maul and trying to decide which one to get.
I split a lot of oak.
TS has a good selection of hand splitting mauls.

I saw one that is a 12 lb. Splitting Maul with a 27 in. Steel Handle.
It is actually 16 pounds, I like the steel handle, everyone likes to try and split wood and the rookies break my handles.
Here is the site:
Truper 12 lb. Splitting Maul with 27 in. Steel Handle - Tractor Supply Online Store

My other choice is a 8 lb. Splitting Maul with 36 in. Fiberglass Handle.
Truper 8 lb. Splitting Maul with 36 in. Double Injected Fiberglass Handle - Tractor Supply Online Store

Which one would you get?
sherpa

Rustyiron · Jul 7, 2013

I read on another forum alot of praise for the new Fiskars with the longer handle, X27 or something.
More power to ya for hand splitting, the only handle I'm using is attached to a hyd. valve.:laughing:

s219 · Jul 7, 2013

I split by hand. Good exercise when it's cold out.

You need to try a Fiskars X27 splitting axe (or an X25 if you're real short). I'll never use a maul again. The Fiskars is so much faster and more productive, and you'll go a lot longer before you tire out.

/pine · Jul 7, 2013

I actually enjoy splitting red oak by hand...more gnarly species like white oak are no fun...when the rounds don't absorb the energy it's all work...!

ken999 · Jul 7, 2013

Listen very carefully to the fellas recommending the Fiskars. If you are a old fashion type and have to have a wooden handle, look at the Gransfors Splitting Maul. I have both and they split easier than any other maul I've ever tried. The lighter weights and sharp cutting edges combined with correct face geometry make these mauls work VERY well.

the old grind · Jul 8, 2013

These 2 YT-ers make splitting by hand look better to me than it ever has. Wish I didn't need to be told how to be productive without hurtin' myself ... :ashamed:

This fella has the 'swing' down.
Splitting Wood the easy & correct way during the 2nd Great Depression: 2007-2014 - YouTube

This guy has the 'tire trick' down.
Splitting Wood With A Tire - YouTube

joshuabardwell · Jul 8, 2013

the old grind said:
This fella has the 'swing' down.
Splitting Wood the easy & correct way during the 2nd Great Depression: 2007-2014 - YouTube

I've never been able to make the technique of raising the maul directly over one's head before swinging downwards work for me. I find it hard to accelerate the maul from a dead stop to "ramming speed" in that short period of time. I always do a swing around from behind, through the 12-o-clock position, so that the maul is already moving as it crosses over my head, and then I continue to accelerate it to the moment of impact.

Western · Jul 8, 2013

I also split by hand, keep saying I will get one of the hydraulic ones, but cant rationale the expense. I also like the metal handle, with the "felt" grip. I have a metal handle maul and fiberglass maul with a rubber grip that is pretty good to. Got the fiberglass one at Lowes.

bcjmmac · Jul 8, 2013

I split by hand with an axe (no idea of type as it is old). I cut my firewood in the fall - late Oct or Nov, split & pile it as I go along/nothing bigger than ~12" across, which isn't an issue except for knots that take a few more "whacks". I find it much easier to split with frost in the wood.