Fiskars accident

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murphy0421

Member
Sep 3, 2010
15
Springfield, PA
I split about 6 cords of wood this year by hand with a generic splitting ax that I got at Home Depot a couple of years ago. The yellow outer shell of the handle was cracking and I used this as an excuse to purchase a new Fiskars Super Splitting Ax. I'm short at about 5 foot 8 so the short handle wasn't going to be a problem. Well I ended up hitting a split wrong and glancing the thing off of my left foot. I sliced thru my sneaker and gave the top of my left foot a serious gash. I was driven to the hospital be a neighbor and needed 7 stitches to close it up. It's throbbing pretty bad right now. I only made it thru 2 rounds when it happened.

I never really worried about foot protection and would split wood in a pair of old sneakers. I haven't researched the topic but would like recommendations on appropriate footware and or clothing so this doesn't happen again. I really need to make sure my form is good from now on also. That is one seriously sharp ax and I realize that I was really lucky.

So what do you wear when splitting?
 
I used to buy Redwing 6" high ankle, steel toed boots and swear buy them. I have avoided the type of injury you've sustained many times because of the high anle protection and the steel toe. But they would only last 2 years befor the leather around the toe had worn through to the toe cup and ended up looking like Sh%^t. Now, those boots cost about $300 and I would only wear them on the weekend (I am a white collar dude who wishes he was a blue collar dude).

So I found out about a great deal at Big Five sporting goods. They sell a steel toed 6" ankled boot called the "Patrol Man" which look kind of dorkey but for $25 (on sale twice a year) I could care less. So far I've not been able to scuff then down to the toe cup metal even after a year of weekend use and two 60 mile back packing trips through the Sierras.

So the way I see it, at $25 a pair, I could buy 12 pairs of these things for the amount I have normally spent on one pair of red wing boots.

I would get them if I were you. They are very cheap insurance.
 
I wear tennis shoes and occassionaly steel toe boots (usually only after cutting logs). After you use it for awhile your aim should improve. I almost never get a glancing blow. Also it is a good idea to split your feet apart. Just remember that shoes do not protect everything. The only nick I received was when I was kneeling down and picked up the Fiskars and dropped in on my thigh. I got a little bloody line where it fell. Some people use a tire and you can put the rounds inside. I have done this in the past and if you miss hit the Fiskars will just bounce back up. This may be a good idea for you, especially after the accident. I think it will give you much more protection than shoes.
 
I had nearly the same thing happen while I was splitting. Thankfully I was using my 8 lber, no ER visit but my little toe hurt for about 3 mos. That was the end of my sneaker splitting. Walmart Herman brand boots with steel toe, I like the 8" height it gives a little more protection. I teach school so I didn't want to spend 100 (or more) bucks on a pair of boots I would just use working with my firewood, can't beat them for 40 bucks. I have has mine for nearly a year now and they are holding up fine.
 
Ugh, dude- I'm so sorry to hear about your accident- Thank God it wasn't worse.
I wear steel toe boots working with wood weather i'm bucking & splitting or just moving it...
 
I also wear Red Wing steel-toed boots, and they've helped on several occasions. I've owned mine for
four years, and they've held up well--even hike in them from time to time. I don't think mine were expensive,
but not sure since my wife bought them to get me out of the tennis shoes while splitting.

Hope you get better soon. Sound painful.
 
Thanks for the replies. I too am a teacher and only need the boots to split wood on the weekends. I have done some more research on this site and the rest of the net.

One question, would any steal toe heavy duty boot be acceptable? Or do most people use something specific to chainsawing. I don't mind spending a little extra if this won't happen again. I also plan to exercise a little more caution when splitting from now on. Speed was the name of the game, now it will be safety.

I haven't tried the old tire trick but I do use old bike tubes to hold the rounds together while splitting them. The tire might provide more bounce back if my swing is off.

Any suggestions welcome.
 
murphy0421 said:
I split about 6 cords of wood this year by hand with a generic splitting ax that I got at Home Depot a couple of years ago. The yellow outer shell of the handle was cracking and I used this as an excuse to purchase a new Fiskars Super Splitting Ax. I'm short at about 5 foot 8 so the short handle wasn't going to be a problem. Well I ended up hitting a split wrong and glancing the thing off of my left foot. I sliced thru my sneaker and gave the top of my left foot a serious gash. I was driven to the hospital be a neighbor and needed 7 stitches to close it up. It's throbbing pretty bad right now. I only made it thru 2 rounds when it happened.

I never really worried about foot protection and would split wood in a pair of old sneakers. I haven't researched the topic but would like recommendations on appropriate footware and or clothing so this doesn't happen again. I really need to make sure my form is good from now on also. That is one seriously sharp ax and I realize that I was really lucky.

So what do you wear when splitting?

Check this company out, they have boots with kevlar in them.

http://www.labonville.com/shop/pc/viewcategories.asp?idCategory=38&pageStyle=H

zap
 
Just steel toe- some will say it matters, some will say it doesn't.... In all honesty- if you're wearing any kind of a steel toe boot- its better than nothing.
 
A couple years ago, I also put the Fiskars SSA into the left foot. Three stitches and no other damage, thankfully. I had been wearing good steel toe boots at the time, but the axe went in on the top of my foot before the toe.

I've given the Fiskars SSA as a gift on more than one occasion and I give the following tips/warnings:

1. Steel toes.
2. Feet apart.
3. Elevate round on a chopping block if possible (optional).
4. Aim at middle or back of round being split.
5. Use shorter chopping axe swing and not big maul swing. Big swing isn't even necessary.
 

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crichison said:
Do a search for metatarsal steel toe boots.

I ended up ordering a pair of Timberland Pro steel toed boots and alum. metatarsal guards that I can put on if I think they are needed. I really liked the Labonville stuff but money is a little tight. and the Timberlands were on sale. Thanks for everyone's suggestions and tips. Hopefully I can continue working on the 2012-13 wood piles in a week or so. Stay safe!
 
I seriously doubt you will actualy save money with those boots over Redwings. Redwings cost half of that if you figure how many years they last.
 
Dune said:
I seriously doubt you will actualy save money with those boots over Redwings. Redwings cost half of that if you figure how many years they last.

With respect, I have already worn them for 20 years and found that they fall apart. Toe leather scapes off, heals wear out and then fall off, lace hooks fatige and break off, heal nails push through the soles and then in to my foot. I wouldnt' make these comments if I hadn't had these experiences. No offense but these so called "Patrol mans" boots, after a year of cutting wood, hiking, replacing decks, cement walkways and the like they are still going strong. In fact I just got back from Big 5 sporting goods where I just bought another pair at that price even though I still have lots of life left in the ones I have on.
 
Dune said:
I seriously doubt you will actualy save money with those boots over Redwings. Redwings cost half of that if you figure how many years they last.

+1 and MADE IN THE USA
 
I have never tried patrol boots, only every other brand. If there is now a better boot than Redwing, I stand corrected.
 
murphy0421 said:
I split about 6 cords of wood this year by hand with a generic splitting ax that I got at Home Depot a couple of years ago. The yellow outer shell of the handle was cracking and I used this as an excuse to purchase a new Fiskars Super Splitting Ax. I'm short at about 5 foot 8 so the short handle wasn't going to be a problem. Well I ended up hitting a split wrong and glancing the thing off of my left foot. I sliced thru my sneaker and gave the top of my left foot a serious gash. I was driven to the hospital be a neighbor and needed 7 stitches to close it up. It's throbbing pretty bad right now. I only made it thru 2 rounds when it happened.

I never really worried about foot protection and would split wood in a pair of old sneakers. I haven't researched the topic but would like recommendations on appropriate footware and or clothing so this doesn't happen again. I really need to make sure my form is good from now on also. That is one seriously sharp ax and I realize that I was really lucky.

So what do you wear when splitting?
Hey, the only thing that saved me from amputating my toe was that for the first swing I went easy. I probably could have used a stitch or two. I hope your feeling better. Ken
 
Dune said:
I have never tried patrol boots, only every other brand. If there is now a better boot than Redwing, I stand corrected.

I can't say that this patrol boot is better than ALL Redwing shoes. But for the abuse I put them through they have lasted well. Besides, I don't feel bad if I tear, burn, cut, scuff, or spill nasty oils, gas, fetilizer, roofing tar on them. They are not a member of the family like my saws. They are inexpensive/expendable. I can always get another pair.

But they look goofy.
 
HeatsTwice said:
But they look goofy.

Well forget it then. I look goofy enough all ready.
 
HeatsTwice said:
Dune said:
I have never tried patrol boots, only every other brand. If there is now a better boot than Redwing, I stand corrected.

I can't say that this patrol boot is better than ALL Redwing shoes. But for the abuse I put them through they have lasted well. Besides, I don't feel bad if I tear, burn, cut, scuff, or spill nasty oils, gas, fetilizer, roofing tar on them. They are not a member of the family like my saws. They are inexpensive/expendable. I can always get another pair.

But they look goofy.
How comfy are they, my 59 year old feet are picky, i wear redwings for work and even they can bother my feet after a long day, the steel toe is too narrow and squeezes my toes.
 
Well at 51, I have no complaints. Keep in mind I broke my toe in a 1977 high school football accident and have no cartledge between my foot bone and big toe bone. Bone on bone grind with floating bone fragments in the flesh above the joint. So I know what foot pain is. My foot is wide also so when I buy the Patrol Man boot, I always buy two sizes larger (13s) than what I actually need (11s). Never found that it is too loose.
 
Keep in mind, I am not trying to sell this boot. I'm only suggesting to murphy0421 that, if he's never used a steel toed boot and reluctant to fork out $100s, this is a good boot to try. Gosh, for $27, its a real bargan. And from my experience its a good buy too.
 
Redwings . . . it's what I've been wearing to work for the past 15 years (albeit not the same pair) . . . my old boots get "recycled" for use as wood and ATV riding boots.
 
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