THE BEST SPLITTER?

I won't buy a maul or axe without the unbreakable (or apparently unbreakable) yellow plastic handle.

The one I have has been with me for over a decade and I have actually sharpened it to remove the big nicks. I think I will wear out the head before the handle breaks.

I've never used anything other than a pretty generic looking maul with a wooden handle. The one I have now, I've had since I installed the stove a few years back.

I've tried other mauls but I think in the end, technique and experience play a much bigger part than the piece of metal you're swinging.

-Hal

Just a safety reminder, no matter what type of maul you use make sure you have safety glasses on.
A maul with a shock collar is very good to have even if it has a hickory handle instead of a fiberglass handle.

A fiberglass handle is the only way to go! Nothing worse than a split wood handle. With the fiberglass handle, the maul is much more forgiving, it is even better with the protective collar. To me, there is less vibration in a fiberglass handle than a wood one. 8lb. maul with a couple of wedges should make for good exercise.

I have nothing against fiberglass handles, I've just never had a problem with my wooden ones.

Granted, I only have 8-10 cords on my current maul, but growing up I'm sure the maul(s?) we used had much more than that. Never remember one splitting/cracking on _me_ anyhow.

-Hal

I like the "monster maul" style splitter with the ~12lb triangular head and steel pipe handle. Splits more stuff with fewer whacks than my 8lb fiberglass handled splitting maul... However if the MM can't deal with it (some elm, gnarly stuff, etc.) I go back to wedges and use the sledge end of the splitting maul... Some day I might try picking up a heavier sledge, but I'm not in a panic about it.

Gooserider

I have the Gransfors splitting axe and look forward to splitting with it each evening. It's a beautiful, expensive tool (ebay made it reasonable) and If you're burning less gnarly woods (I see you're up north), it would be pretty well suited. Them swedes have it pretty close to your type woods. The handle is a non-issue - the steel collar has some scuffs, but the handle is untouched and the densest, most beautiful hunk of hickory I've ever seen.

The head is only 3 1/2 lbs/1.6kg; so you use speed instead of the weight of the head (monster maul-type). You vary the speed to the round - harder rounds, you come through with a smooth, accelerating swing, like a baseball bat or golf driver . Very satisfying.

It gets kinda like a high rep weightlifting. Get to a comfortable rate and rythm, and you can go a long time. The 12lb mauls are like a low-rep weight workout and I can't maintain the same pace. Most rounds I split don't need that much maul, though I wouldn't mind having a big one around for the probem cases. The fruitwood Y's can take 4-5 hits with the little swede before you crack'em. I haven't seen an all-around perfect tool.

I did get a 1000yd stare when my buddy dropped off 5-6 cords of apple and cherry at once... On the ragged edge of calling a buddy over with his 27-ton splitter... I've held fast and the end is in sight.

I have a 6lb. 'splitting maul' with the yellow handle. I can split up rounds up to 14" with a couple wacks. It is by far the best thing I have for splitting most of my wood. When I came across a piece that the maul doesn't split I break out the wedge and sledge to break the piece down and then readdress with the maul.

I believe I got it from Sears Hardware, but have seen them in the big box stores.

I find that not only does it split wood but also is a stress reliever, and upper body strengthner, and is working on giving me those 6pack abs.

Titan said:

Hey goose-where did you get the 'Monster-Maul'? I saw one recently in a book-"The backyard lumberjack"- I've been wanting one ever since then but nobody uphere carries them.

Click to expand...

Northern has them here This isn't the exact same model I got, (that one appears discontinued) but it appears that the only difference is this one's a different color, and has a brand name of "Truper" - I assume that is a "house brand" name - possibly an asian misspelling of "Trooper" - looked like most of their axes and sledges now carry that name.

They also have the "wood blaster" conical style wedge that I see a lot of other folks talking about on here - never tried one, but will probably get one if I ever get to pick one up w/o having to make a special order for it, or pay a huge amount for...

There are other places that have similar items, but all were much more expensive than Northern. (IMHO Northern is slightly perhaps slightly better stuff than HF, but both are definitely selling more the low-cost made in the far east tools than high grade stuff)

Gooserider

I don't think there is very much you can't split with a good sharp maul and a nicely sharpened wedge. But don't forget about that big monster of a sledge that drives that wedge home.
It use to be a love/hate thing for me but now that the wood burning is over I truly miss the exercise and the feeling that I got when I when I threw one of these splits into the fire and got all that great, warm, heat as my reward.
Now all I do is hit the bottons on the thermostat, sit back on the recliner in front of the Big Screen and patronized the Beer Companies.
You know, come to think of it, thats not half bad either.
Seriously, I truely miss the wood splittng, stacking, and hauling exercise.