In two years or a little less, I have mushroomed an Eastwing wedge down to the "spreader" tops. Pieces have begun to zing off and I'm not going to use it at least until I get to a grinder and see if it can be cleaned up.
So, following somebody's links to some higher quality wedges, I ordered a Biber classic from Traditional Woodworker. Wow! what an elegant piece. Not cheap by any means.
Put it in a few rounds last light despite the rain. A couple of 18" long and round rounds of oak and maple were absolutely no contest, but they are so straight I didn't expect much fight. At most two whacks with the Fiskars. Still, the wedge did them in one. Then I tried a big chunk of nasty box elder that just seemed to swallow the regular wedges even after getting them in over half way with 8 hits. Three whacks and done. (Please withhold the "push the lever" comments, fellers, I don't own a splitter!)
If it lasts as long as it should, I'd guess the wedge is worth the cost. It is not a gimmick.
So, following somebody's links to some higher quality wedges, I ordered a Biber classic from Traditional Woodworker. Wow! what an elegant piece. Not cheap by any means.
Put it in a few rounds last light despite the rain. A couple of 18" long and round rounds of oak and maple were absolutely no contest, but they are so straight I didn't expect much fight. At most two whacks with the Fiskars. Still, the wedge did them in one. Then I tried a big chunk of nasty box elder that just seemed to swallow the regular wedges even after getting them in over half way with 8 hits. Three whacks and done. (Please withhold the "push the lever" comments, fellers, I don't own a splitter!)
If it lasts as long as it should, I'd guess the wedge is worth the cost. It is not a gimmick.