what is this stuff

[billz]

I was told it was water oak. I never tried to split something this hard before I hit the wedge five times and the next hit the log spits the wedge out. I finally got it but man this is nuts.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Not sure what that is but by the looks of that second picture, it splits well. No doubt after that first split, the rest should split easier. I never figure they are hard splitting until I get 2 wedges stuck with the log not yet split apart.

 

[Ram 1500 with an axe...]

I know Norway maple is very hard to split, it could be that, not sure......
What I am sure of is that I think your wedge technique is not correct. You have that wedge in the center of the round...
Try placing it closer to the bark, preferably in a visible Ariel crack, hammer it in a bit, then use the 8 # maul to bust it open.... I know my Norway maple took 2 wedges at times....also a trick that I use is to make a 1/2 inch line with a chainsaw to start off the wedge in the wood so it doesn't spit out on you..... But remember, get the wedges closer to the ends rather than the center.....have fun pounding......

 

[splitoak]

It mite laugh at wedges, mauls and even the x27.....but it will never laugh at a chainsaw...lol

 

[nrford]

Looks like a maple to me! blurry pictures.......

 

[Applesister]

Who told you it was water oak?
I mean not that it is or isnt.

 

[Ram 1500 with an axe...]

Who told you it was water oak?
I mean not that it is or isnt.

Never heard of water oak, I've heard of water chestnut.....

 

[smokedragon]

have fun pounding......

This is an oxymoron........

I don't mind splitting with an axe or a maul, but hammering wedges is just hard on you.........

but it will never laugh at a chainsaw

I dislike hammering wedges so much that I have considered trying to make a ripping chain just for my own redneck log splitter (like this guys)


For when I run into stuff that just won't be split any other way.

 

[Applesister]

Some guy on here last year had some Water oak he showed that he cut. I thought it might be a local vernacular for like swamp white oak but it is actually a species of oak.
Obviously a swamp type oak.