Maul recommendations?

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Tom Wallace

Burning Hunk
Jan 20, 2013
204
Shoreline, WA
Previously I'd been using a Fiskars Super Splitter as my only axe. It's a great axe, but doesn't do well on large (28-32") rounds of douglas fir, which is probably the most common wood where I live. I recently bought a Truper 8-lb maul from Amazon. Received it on Friday and it works great for splitting large rounds. If the maul can't get it, I use a 5-lb wedge and sink it into one of the divots created by the maul and use a 10-lb sledge hammer. That usually pops the large rounds in half. However, after just two days of use, the maul is already damaged. The shaft inside the head cracked, and the metal ring inside of it came flying out once. I shoved it back in, but the damage is done. The head shifts around a bit on the shaft now. It's only a matter of time before it just comes right off I think.

Before I buy a new maul, I thought I'd ask what other people are using.
 
I wouldnt expect that maul to fail so soon..contact amazon they should reimburse you if it only lasted 2 days:p
 
I too go your route with the Fiskars splitting axe and wedges. I recently purchased the Truper 12 lb maul from TS and love it. It's all metal from the head to the handle and really helps when you burry a wedge in a round. The only downfall is the weight. The 12 lbs. gets heavier as the day goes on.
 
I use a combo of a 3lb axe and a "monster maul" from northern tool

The monster maul is basically a 12 pound triangle welded onto a pipe, and it is incredibly persuasive on tough rounds ::-). The one Ive got has a pretty short handle, which is its only downfall. But I noticed last time I was in the store that the new ones had normal length handles. Id grab one of those if you're regularly dealing with big tough wood

Edit:

Link to the MM: http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200621546_200621546
 
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Try the stihl PA 80. They are really an OX head relabeled. Expensive at $80 but work great.
 
Also look into Council tool mauls. Good quality and not too expensive. I believe they come in 6# & 8#, each in axe eye or sledge eye
 
Thanks all for the recommendations. I've contacted Amazon and they are offering me a refund. Just need to ship the maul back to them. I'm looking into the mauls listed so far.
 
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Studdlygoof said:
I too go your route with the Fiskars splitting axe and wedges. I recently purchased the Truper 12 lb maul from TS and love it. It's all metal from the head to the handle and really helps when you burry a wedge in a round. The only downfall is the weight. The 12 lbs. gets heavier as the day goes on.
Click to expand...

I looked into one of those on Amazon before I bought the Truper maul. I was concerned that I wasn't manly enough for a 12-lb maul. After swinging the 8-lb maul around for a couple of days, I'm a bit more comfortable with the thought of a 12 pounder. I only have 2 rounds left to split now, though. One is part of the stump and the grain is very twisted and dense in this piece, so it's really difficult to split.
 
I have used and abused the true temper 8lb maul from lowes. They really hold up good.
 
Weld a wedge on the end of a long pipe :) Haha I've seen plenty of those, but the shock is a little hard on the body :)
 
The trick with the Fiskars super splitter is that when the rounds get that big, don't try to split them in half. Start 1/4 or 1/3 from the edge taking the sides off instead, slowly whittling it down into manageable pieces.

I've yet to find rounds that the Fiskars won't handle and my maul and wedges will. Every time my Fiskars bounces off something and won't do the job, I end up getting my maul and 2 wedges nearly stuck in a log (and have worn myself out in the process) before it splits.
 
I agree. If the fiskars can't handle it, get a splitter.
 
JA600L said:
I agree. If the fiskars can't handle it, get a splitter.
Click to expand...
I think only a gas powered splitter could handle a 30"+ round, though. I don't have the budget for one, or the space required to store one. Also, the cheaper gas powered splitters are horizontal only typically. I have no idea how I'd lift a 30" round up onto a horizontal splitter. The vertical splitters don't require lifting, and I've rented one before for splitting large rounds. It worked pretty well.

So far I'm doing fine splitting them with a maul, wedge and sledgehammer when needed. I typically split them into 5-7 wedges. Once they're down to that size, the Fiskars does really well on them.

Also, I get some satisfaction from not having to resort to a splitter. Maybe when I'm older I'll buy a splitter. For now it's a good workout.
 
Tom Wallace said:
I think only a gas powered splitter could handle a 30"+ round, though. I don't have the budget for one, or the space required to store one. Also, the cheaper gas powered splitters are horizontal only typically. I have no idea how I'd lift a 30" round up onto a horizontal splitter. The vertical splitters don't require lifting, and I've rented one before for splitting large rounds. It worked pretty well.

So far I'm doing fine splitting them with a maul, wedge and sledgehammer when needed. I typically split them into 5-7 wedges. Once they're down to that size, the Fiskars does really well on them.

Also, I get some satisfaction from not having to resort to a splitter. Maybe when I'm older I'll buy a splitter. For now it's a good workout.
Click to expand...

It depends upon the type of wood but a 30" round is not that big. For many, many years all I used was an axe and if the wood was knotty then I went to sledge and wedge. I believe it was in the 70's when someone gave me a splitting maul. I liked it right away but it was no monster for sure. Same with my sledge hammers. Somehow I've always liked the 6 lb.

Tom, for sure you hit the nail on the head about the hydraulic splitters. I can't even imagine lifting 12" rounds up onto the splitter. One or two would not be bad but all of them? Makes a lot more work and harder for sure on the body. Why try to ruin the body before its time?
 
MDFisherman said:
I have used and abused the true temper 8lb maul from lowes. They really hold up good.
Click to expand...

That's what I have, except mine is from Tractor Supply. Splits 99% of what I cut. Sledge, wedge, or chainsaw takes care of the rest!
 
bigbarf48 said:
I use a combo of a 3lb axe and a "monster maul" from northern tool

The monster maul is basically a 12 pound triangle welded onto a pipe, and it is incredibly persuasive on tough rounds ::-). The one Ive got has a pretty short handle, which is its only downfall. But I noticed last time I was in the store that the new ones had normal length handles. Id grab one of those if you're regularly dealing with big tough wood

Edit:

Link to the MM: http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200621546_200621546
Click to expand...

I second the monster-maul. I split many cords of wood, and even run over it with tractor with no damage. And I might add that I don't remember ever sticking it! It looked a little different from the new one, if I remember it was a straight edged triangle with the top flat area being about 3x4 and was about 6" from head to point. It had a welded handle that was slightly curved on end.
 
STIHLY DAN said:
Try the stihl PA 80. They are really an OX head relabeled. Expensive at $80 but work great.
Click to expand...

While I have, like, and use the Stihl maul, I believe it is only a bit heavier than the Super Splitter. It sounds like he needs something more in the eight pound range.
 
Giles said:
I second the monster-maul. I split many cords of wood, and even run over it with tractor with no damage. And I might add that I don't remember ever sticking it! It looked a little different from the new one, if I remember it was a straight edged triangle with the top flat area being about 3x4 and was about 6" from head to point. It had a welded handle that was slightly curved on end.
Click to expand...
I have two concerns about the monster maul: weight and vibration. Since the shaft is steel, due the vibrations not bother you?
 
IMO head speed would be more important than head weight. I took an 8 lb maul and used the big grinder on it to reshape it. Removed about a lb of material, polished it smooth and it splits like a champ.
 
Tom Wallace said:
I have two concerns about the monster maul: weight and vibration. Since the shaft is steel, due the vibrations not bother you?
Click to expand...

The vibrations aren't as bad as you'd think. It's got a cushy rubber handle wrap, and I wrapped tape around the rest of my metal handle. Now if you have a glancing blow that doesn't hit square, that triangle will spin and twist the handle around in your hands, and that HURTS, but it rarely happens
 
ironpony said:
IMO head speed would be more important than head weight. I took an 8 lb maul and used the big grinder on it to reshape it. Removed about a lb of material, polished it smooth and it splits like a champ.
Click to expand...


Both are equally important. Force = Mass X acceleration.

I'm sure there's a sweet spot that's different for everybody where the mass of the ax/maul is perfect for them to swing a lot faster than the speed of gravity.
 
I think you wound up with a defective unit. Yours failed at the weak point - the bonding/attachment between the handle and maul head. I'd go for a refund.

In used a plastic handle 8lb maul for nearly 20 seasons before the epoxy bond died of old age and the head plopped off.

Relaced it with an 8lb Truper on special at TSC ($20) and expect it to last for the duration.
 
Actually, impact energy is what we are interested.

E = Mass x Velocity( squared)

That's why under most circumstances we use a 6-8 lb maul because it generates "club head speed".

Heavier mauls lose enough speed to negate the mass advantage
 
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