Splitting wood by hand

[sherpa]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

 

[peterc38]

When I split by hand, it is Fiskars all the way for me.

 

[grnspot110]

I have a splitter for my JD 790, but use the Fiskars X27 most of the time! I enjoy the work & the Fiskars does better (for me) than any maul I've used, including a "Monster Maul". ~~ grnspot

 

[sherpa]

I assume you folks are saying that the Fiskars has a metal handle, is this correct?
sherpa

 

[mudcat47537]

I use an old axe eye maul that I have had for probably 25 years. I have tried the fiberglass and steel handled tools but they just kill my elbows.
During a really bad case of tendinitis last year I bought a hydraulic wood splitter. I wish I would have done it years ago lol.

 

[Mike_Kanzer]

I split by hand also. I have a splitting maul with a fiberglass handle.
I saw a neat trick on a this old house show - they wrapped a bunge around the log before splitting it. It keeps the wood together and lets you turn it and spilt it a second or third time without rhe pieces flying all over the place. I tried it and it works! It is good exercise particularly in the winter. - Mike :cool2:

 

[forgeblast]

I have both that you linked. The 12lb'er I though would make the work fly by. It doesn't I am 6'2 and the handle on it is about 6'' too short. I cannot get a full swing on it. So I use the other 8lb'er and keep a sledge hammer near by in case I get caught up in stringy wood.
just to show the top of the line splitter, Gransfors Bruks Splitting Maul w/ Collar Guard 450
Gransfors Bruks makes amazing axes I have 3 different types.

 

[bdeboer]

I have both a Truper and a Fiskars, Fiskars works better.

 

[riptides]

I still split by hand. I usually do three cords a year. Right now it's hazy,hot and humid where I live, perfect for splitting.

I have a nice maul. Great paper weight. Yeah, never used it, I think the wife got it at TS some three years ago. Something about metal on metal that just scares me....

 

[mikehaugen]

I know a guy that swears by a "chopper" axe. I have never used one, or heard anyone else praise it so I don't know how effective it really is. It looks like a neat idea though.

https://www.chopper1axe.com/

 

[s219]

I assume you folks are saying that the Fiskars has a metal handle, is this correct?
sherpa

Nope, it's some kind of unbreakable synthetic material:

X27 Splitting Axe (36") / Products - Buy Online (Price $58.99) | Fiskars

You can normally find the X27 for $40-45 online or on sale. The X25 is a bit less, but I'd go X27 unless you're really short.

Get rid of whatever notion of a maul is in your head. A traditional maul works based on brute force mass which is why you might need that metal handle. The X27 works from a different angle to accomplish the same goal. The long handle and super light weight give you increased swing speed and momentum in the strike compared to a slower heavier maul. The X27 is light, fast, and surgical.

 

[MH8675309]

I've split by hand for the last twenty years. I usually do close to 20 cords a year. I had one of the trupers and in time wore it out but bought another one. For the money it's hard to beat but there's a technique for swinging it. I also have the 8 pounder with the fiberglass handle. The older I get the more I like it,,