Splitting wood by hand

[Dr_Zinj]

I split all mine by hand using something that looks just like this True Temper 8 lbs Forged Steel Wood Chopper's Maul http://images.lowes.com/product/converted/049206/049206042131lg.jpg
Usually do about 3 to 4 cords of wood for each winter.
Touch it up with a file about once a year is all it needs for sharpening. All it needs is enough bite to get into the wood, the wedge behind the cutting edge does the rest.

 

[dmccarty]

When I wore out my fiberglass handled splitting maul, I bought a Fiskar. I like the Fiskar but I wish it had a bit more weight to it.

Make sure you get a maul with the handle that is long enough. The last fiberglass maul I had was too short but it was the only size in the big box store. If the handle is too short the maul can swing back at you while a handle that is long enough will bury itself into the stump or ground. I would think the handle needs to be pretty close if not longer than your leg length.

I prefer to split by hand since it is faster than my hydraulic splitter for easy to split pieces. It is quieter than running the tractor to run the splitter.

Later,
Dan

 

[eddie48]

MOnster Maul. I've had one for 40 years. Heavy triangular head and a metal pipe handle. I still split 5-6 cords a year, down from the 15 or so I used to split. I like it because it won't hardly ever get stuck.

 

[Jstpssng]

I like to split by hand, but used my 3pth splitter to tame the bigger pieces before putting in the shed. Then I split to size when I'm filling the woodbox.

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.

I can see how that can help keep up the momentum.... but my back hurts just THINKING about it.

 

[Illini22]

How to chop wood without messing around - YouTube

 

[sherpa]

OK, I got me a Fiskars X27 on the way.
Actually it is ready to be picked up at Sears.
I ordered it on line and got a deal at $35.
I got a order confirmation as soon as I ordered it and 5 mins later I got my pickup order.
They are giving me one out of the store stock, I will pick it up tomorrow!
sherpa

 

[MacLawn]

MOnster Maul. I've had one for 40 years. Heavy triangular head and a metal pipe handle. I still split 5-6 cords a year, down from the 15 or so I used to split. I like it because it won't hardly ever get stuck.

I was wondering if any of y'all boys remembered the Monster Maul. I've had mine for about 40 years too, used to be advertised in outdoor, etc., magazines, and I finally bought one. Love that thing!! I ain't getting nary gas engine wood splitter. Now, I also have been reading great things about that Fiskars axe. I just looked at one, 27", at Sears last Saturday, they had it for $55, so I thought I could do better online. Sherp, man you got a deal! I'm going online right now to see if they still have it for $35... be back.

 

[MacLawn]

Well, boys, Sears still has Fiskars X27 splitting axe for $35.49, so I ordered it for in store pick up. Cheaper than Amazon since don't have to pay shipping. A man can never have too many axes.

 

[jerrybob]

I may have to buy the wife one of those Fiskars and show her the budgie trick......we do have an anniversary coming up! She likes presents and this would definitely increase her productivity!!:thumbsup:

 

[MacLawn]

I may have to buy the wife one of those Fiskars and show her the budgie trick......we do have an anniversary coming up! She likes presents and this would definitely increase her productivity!!:thumbsup:

Yep Jerry, you done forgot how to get ye wife to work. Ye memory ain't right.

 

[the old grind]

Remember, guys, when you shoot your video be sure you're splitting maple (not silver), oak, ash, basswood, birch or poplar. :drink: Elm, mulberry, American hornbeam or others might have you borrowing a powered splitter.

 

[joshuabardwell]

Remember, guys, when you shoot your video be sure you're splitting maple (not silver), oak, ash, basswood, birch or poplar. :drink: Elm, mulberry, American hornbeam or others might have you borrowing a powered splitter.

You joke, but I always kind of scoff at the maul/axe/splitter demonstration videos. I'm a real firewood hound, and the bigger the log the better. More wood for less handling, and more likely that somebody else has passed it up as too big. My typical round is 18-36" in diameter, and I have occasionally gone even bigger. I also like to buck to 20-22" lengths, to fit my stove's firebox as efficiently as possible. So when I see these videos demonstrating a new splitter, and they're popping little 8-12" diameter oak rounds, 14" long, it just doesn't seem like a very good test of the tool. Of course you can bust a tiny little oak round in one stroke. You can do that with darn near anything! Bust a few 24"x20" rounds with your tool and I'll start being impressed.

 

[joshuabardwell]

... like this:

 

[Jstpssng]

I may have to buy the wife one of those Fiskars and show her the budgie trick......we do have an anniversary coming up! She likes presents and this would definitely increase her productivity!!:thumbsup:

Let us know how that works out for you!

 

[jerrybob]

Let us know how that works out for you!

Wonder if they come in purple? She just loves purple and nothing says "I love you" better than a purple splitting axe!
She is going to be so happy!!!!:cool2:

 

[Jstpssng]

Wonder if they come in purple? She just loves purple and nothing says "I love you" better than a purple splitting axe!
She is going to be so happy!!!!:cool2:

I had to doublecheck your profile, to ensure that I wasm't communicating with my BIL. (My sister's favorite color has always been "orchid"... to this day I've always thought that is a flower, not a color. )

 

[94BULLITT]

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

Definitely stay away from the 12lber with the steel handle. I have one and used it a lot. When you hit something really hard and it does not split it will sting you pretty good:laughing:

I have heard good things about the fiskars splitters.

I have this one Shop True Temper 8 lbs Forged Steel Wood Splitter at Lowes.com

I also have this one.Shop True Temper 4 lbs Forged Steel Wood Splitter at Lowes.com

I was using them tonight. I don't use the steel handled on anymore. The fiberglass absorbs the shock. I can split a lot with the little 4lb one. I had it laying on the bumper of the firewood truck and it was loaded with a heaping load of wood. I forgot about it and moved the truck. I backed over it and it did not hurt the handle. Definitely stay away from a wood or steel handle.

 

[jerrybob]

I had to doublecheck your profile, to ensure that I wasm't communicating with my BIL. (My sister's favorite color has always been "orchid"... to this day I've always thought that is a flower, not a color. )

She any good at chopping wood??:laughing: How's Maine....used to visit often. love Stonington. Our daughter went to school in Farmington several years back. :thumbsup:

 

[sherpa]

Do not get the Fiskars X27 splitting axe if you want a workout!
It takes all the work out of splitting firewood, the Fiskars X27 splitting AX is awesome.
Harvesting firewood just got a little better.
Thanks for everyone's help in selecting the right splitting AX.
sherpa

 

[grnspot110]

MOnster Maul. I've had one for 40 years. Heavy triangular head and a metal pipe handle. I still split 5-6 cords a year, down from the 15 or so I used to split. I like it because it won't hardly ever get stuck.

I've had a Monster Maul for 30 years+, quit using it to split wood years ago! Worked good when I was 25 years old, now I sometimes use it upside down for a post maul. ~~ grnspot