Splitting tools for the ladies?

ambull01 said:

lmao. I give another vote to the Fiskars. Just got the 36" X27. Love it so far. It's not magical by any means but I've been able to split everything I've run into except sweetgum. My wife was able to split a few rounds too and it was the first time she's ever picked up an axe.

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Nibble around the sweetgum round, its impossible to split down the middle but rather easy to go around taking splits off the edges.

brian89gp said:

Nibble around the sweetgum round, its impossible to split down the middle but rather easy to go around taking splits off the edges.

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Tried that. Hitting it smack dab in the middle bounced the Fiskars off. Tried hitting it right on the edge and couldn't break through. Finally got the Fiskars into the side but the piece still held together. It's freshly cut gum so perhaps it will be easier if I let it dry a little.

I've found I have to take a different approach with the Fiskars. Used to just bash in rounds right through the middle with a maul. The Fiskars requires more finesse.

I don't know, I would recommend look at the Husqvarna Splitting Axe. Not only does it look nice, but it seems to split quite nicely. I used to use their Maul and was more than pleased. Only stopped because a friend custom made me one. The axe is a great tool at the wood pile....haven't spent much time splitting with it, but I am sure it would be great for most woods....However, I am sure that somebody on this thread will come up with the pitch-soaked-gum-100-year-old-bewitched-devil inside round that they had to use a 9 million pound hydraulic splitter on....but come on, is that the exception or the norm?
I, for one, am happy to hear that people still want to split with a Maul. I watch my buddies with their hydraulic splitters talking about how it's "so much faster" and how I am going to "blow myself up". Then I look at the fitness level of the average 'Hydro-Head' wood splitter and realize, Hmmmmm.....
Get yourself a splitting axe, learn good technique and work your muscles up to a good place before getting something heavier.
Technique splits wood....

ambull01 said:

Tried that. Hitting it smack dab in the middle bounced the Fiskars off. Tried hitting it right on the edge and couldn't break through. Finally got the Fiskars into the side but the piece still held together. It's freshly cut gum so perhaps it will be easier if I let it dry a little.

I've found I have to take a different approach with the Fiskars. Used to just bash in rounds right through the middle with a maul. The Fiskars requires more finesse.

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Stuff I was splitting had been cut for 4-6 months. Splitting fresh cut sweetgum is like trying to split a soggy sponge.

brian89gp said:

Stuff I was splitting had been cut for 4-6 months. Splitting fresh cut sweetgum is like trying to split a soggy sponge.

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Yes sir, found that out real quick lol. I'll just stay away from gum, too much work.

Looks like the Husqvarna Splitting Axe is about $90. Fiskars cost about $50 or so. Unless the Husqvarna axe swings itself I don't see why it costs so much more.

A 6lb maul and a wedge, or a 22 ton Huskee splitter.

You can pick up an true temper splitting axe. They have a 4lbs head. Easy to swing. I would suggest that you only split the wood that is easy to split. pick the ones that have straight grain and no knots. Splitting is about knowing where to hit the wood it's not about brut force. After a while you will get rhe hang of it.

If you do not have a splitter, get 3 splitting wedges start to tackle the harder rounds. Wear ear protection.

Lastly, once you start feeling tired stop. fatigue is the #1 reason people get hurt.

http://www.amestruetemper.com/products/detail.aspx?ProductId=145&FamilyId=87&LineId=72

I use the combination of a Fiskars x27, an 8 lb maul, and a tire mounted to a stump. You put the round inside the tire so the splits don't go flying when you hit it.

I have taught a few women how to split wood with the x27 and they were all able to do it. Practice will build speed.

I swing the ax like a pendulum along the ground. Let it build speed then send it over center. The knotty pieces I just chain saw.

I've split probably 20 cords like this. It doesn't hurt to wear a back brace, gloves, boots, and safety glasses.

Wood Duck said:

I have a fiskars splitting ax which I highly recommend. This is not the same as the Fiskar's x27, but rather is called simply "splitting ax." It is about 3 1/2 pounds, and has wings on the head to split the log more readily, similar to the Fiskars X27. I bought mine at Sears.

I have taught lots of younger boy scouts to split logs with this ax. It is a favorite among the scouts because it is easy to handle, but does a good job splitting. I am not a large guy but I can split logs with one hand using this ax. You will be fine using two hands.

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This is exactly the tool my friend bought for his 11 year old son.
He does a great job with it, and he really enjoys splitting!

Osagebndr said:

My daughter is very cautious with a chainsaw put a splitting axe in her hands and run for it. Trying to teach them to be independent is priceless

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But worth the effort, usually