Axe for my boy?

I have no kids, but if I had a young boy, I would wait till he is 12. Accidents waiting to happen. Avoid the ER.

Perhaps a wedge and he can swing a small sledge at at? You can get it started and go from there.

If his aim is good maybe a Fiskars X11 (I use one of these for kindling, limbing, etc, works well).

nola mike said:

X11 I think would be too small, but the X17 might be good. Though I don't know if he deserves a fiskars yet
Might start with THIS. Or I should see if my x25 fits. The X27 is definitely too big.

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The x17 would probably be better than the x11. Might as well get the fiskars for only a few dollars more.

Fiskars are so sharp not sure I'd make it his first tool. I like the small sledge wedge idea or a Collins boys axe which don't come too sharp but you can add an edge as he gets experience. The Fiskars is somewhat unforgiving of even small errors.

I started splitting wood around age 5 or 6 with dad. Not sure how much help I actually provided, but I felt like I was useful, at the time.

Dad started me with wedges and a small sledge (maybe 3 lb.?) that he re-handled to an appropriate length for me. It probably helped my enthusiasm, that he was also splitting with a sledge (10 lb.) and wedges, rather than using a maul. I still have that 10 lb. sledge, although dad must have been stronger than me, I prefer 8 lb. myself.

I think this is a better way to go than an axe, at age 8. It's safer, and also teaches solid aim. You don't have to worry too often about breaking handles from over-shooting the wedge with an 8-year old swinging it, like you do when you let a teenager go with an 8 or 10 lb., so this is a good age to learn.

I bought one of these from Harbor Freight a couple years ago for my son.



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I have a 10 yr old--she lifts the round into the tire (if it is a reasonable size), then I have at it with the Fiskars (after she is behind me and off to the side a bit--we designate a 'safe spot" when we start). Then she jumps in and removes the spits and sets the next round(s). I'm not quite ready for her to start splitting, but we have started working on basic technique and accuracy. The rest will come over the next few years. I agree with previous posts regarding caution--only takes one mistake to make for a lifelong injury.

nola mike said:

Well, he's been using a hatchet for some time, so he's used to it. Gave it a go with the x25, still a bit heavy for him, and maybe a touch long. It has a head weight of 4#. The X17 has a head weight of 2.4# and is 4" shorter, so I think that will work. We'll see how he does with it. If no good, we'll wait a few more years (and I'll use it in the meantime). He's a careful kid. I really can't envision the mechanism for a severe injury if under my supervision. Maybe I'm missing something, so please enlighten me as to what I should be worried about.

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Use common sense, focus on safety and you'll be good. If you haven't already be sure he has a set of safety glasses, these are often overlooked. Its easier to form safe habits early rather than unlearn bad habits later.

I would start with wedges only. Fiskar splitting axes are the worst in my opinion because of the high speed and the extreme sharpness. Whatever you decide make sure to use safety glasses and safety shoes.