For several years now we see all sorts of positive comments about the Fiskar's splitting axe. We also see other posts about people wanting to buy one because they hear how easy it is to split wood with them (at least most woods).
I have wondered about them from time to time but most of my wonder is why people like them so well. I think I may have hit on one reason but please check me if I am wrong (I can be wrong a lot!). It seems to me that most folks want to sit the log up onto another log or onto a stump before splitting. It seems to me that might very well be the only way to split using a Fiskars axe because of the short handle it has. What do you think?
Now some posts are popping up about accidents when using the Fiskars and also there have been some very close accidents when using them and it appears it is mostly due to the short handle on the axe. Let this be a warning to the new splitters!
As for me, if I split any wood by hand (very little any more), I want a full length wood handle for splitting and chopping. I split by hand using axe and/or sledge and wedge for many, many moons so I have done a fair share of splitting. I'll still take a regular single or double bit axe for the splitting or a splitting maul.
I also simply split the log while it is sitting on the ground. This goes right along with my theory on using a hydraulic splitter. Picking up every log to sit it on top of something just makes more work on an already hard job. Why lift it if you don't have to? In addition, if the log is on the ground you actually gain in splitting power by making the stroke longer. If the axe goes into the log, say, at waist height vs knee height, there is a huge difference in power applied.
I do use the axe for some trimming of small limbs in the woods and also use it to mark where to make the cuts (16"). I do try to keep the axe sharp and believe that is the best way. For the handle, I coat it with linseed oil every other year or so; sometimes every year. Those handles last a long time. They seem to last longer now that our sons have grown and left home. Their aim was not too great at times, but then, I've been known to miss every now and then too. It seems only too easy to misjudge as I have only one good eye and a sore aching body. Still, I can usually hit where it needs hitting.
I have wondered about them from time to time but most of my wonder is why people like them so well. I think I may have hit on one reason but please check me if I am wrong (I can be wrong a lot!). It seems to me that most folks want to sit the log up onto another log or onto a stump before splitting. It seems to me that might very well be the only way to split using a Fiskars axe because of the short handle it has. What do you think?
Now some posts are popping up about accidents when using the Fiskars and also there have been some very close accidents when using them and it appears it is mostly due to the short handle on the axe. Let this be a warning to the new splitters!
As for me, if I split any wood by hand (very little any more), I want a full length wood handle for splitting and chopping. I split by hand using axe and/or sledge and wedge for many, many moons so I have done a fair share of splitting. I'll still take a regular single or double bit axe for the splitting or a splitting maul.
I also simply split the log while it is sitting on the ground. This goes right along with my theory on using a hydraulic splitter. Picking up every log to sit it on top of something just makes more work on an already hard job. Why lift it if you don't have to? In addition, if the log is on the ground you actually gain in splitting power by making the stroke longer. If the axe goes into the log, say, at waist height vs knee height, there is a huge difference in power applied.
I do use the axe for some trimming of small limbs in the woods and also use it to mark where to make the cuts (16"). I do try to keep the axe sharp and believe that is the best way. For the handle, I coat it with linseed oil every other year or so; sometimes every year. Those handles last a long time. They seem to last longer now that our sons have grown and left home. Their aim was not too great at times, but then, I've been known to miss every now and then too. It seems only too easy to misjudge as I have only one good eye and a sore aching body. Still, I can usually hit where it needs hitting.