splitting wedges

[1750]

I've never used a splitting wedge, but need to buy one for these stubborn big hemlock rounds I'm wrestling with. My splitting maul just isn't getting the job done.

Do the wedges with the different shapes, the bullet wedges or twisting wedges seem to make any difference?

Thanks in advance. Here's the Stihl wedge as an example of what I'm talking about: (broken image removed)

 

[pen]

I've never tried one of the twisting style wedges but remember reading a few good reviews on here of one that was extremely expensive.

This one was the one mentioned I believe, by gransfors bruks for $80!
(broken image removed)
(broken link removed)

Only thing with the stihl one that surprises me is aluminium. I only ever remember using aluminum felling wedges, but perhaps it is some alloy that can withstand getting the poo beat out of it.

Only advice I'd add is that 1 wedge with me inevitably wound up getting me in trouble at some point (wedge buried). I learned to never start using a wedge unless I had at least 1 back-up with me.

Had a day where I had gotten every wedge on me and my maul stuck in a nasty log I should have thrown over the bank. Had my buddy not shown up when he did with more equipment, I was so mad I would have started a fire right there and burned that log right on the spot to get my stuff back! Even if it meant a new maul handle! Very frustrated. One of those days I can look back at and laugh now.

If I were to buy more than a basic wedge again (although having some as cheaper backups is good) I'd be tempted to try the estwing http://www.amazon.com/Estwing-E-5-8...id=1385510300&sr=8-1&keywords=splitting+wedge

pen

 

[1750]

I laughed at that. I can absolutely see myself getting into that situation!

Thanks for the recommendation.. I'll look for that one.

 

[jotul8e2]

I have a bunch of wedges. Somewhere.

For really gnarly stuff wedges will only take you so far. I used to cut a stob or three that I could drive deep into the log to force the split. Stob def. N. A short limb cut with a wedge point on one end and squared on the other that can be driven into the opening created by wedges using a sledge hammer or post maul.

But anymore I just set those logs aside until I get several of them and use the chainsaw to rip down through the knot(s), then finish them off with my splitting maul. Out of every couple of cords there is at least one log I just have to saw and re-saw all the way through. This requires either a special ripping chain, or just a really sharp regular crosscut chain.

 

[mustash29]

I have a "wood grenade" that works pretty decent. There have been a few 20" long x 24" dia oak rounds that got the grenade on one edge and the maul in the other edge & pounded through with the sledge.

But the MTD 31 ton works much better.

 

[My Oslo heats my home]

I gave up on the gnarly stuff. If I can't split it with the maul or hydraulic splitter it goes into the shoulder pile. After the C/S/S is done with the main wood I cut up the gnarly stuff into smaller pieces that becomes shoulder wood.

 

[MDFisherman]

I would get a grenade and several standard wedges. The grenade is nice because it's as wide as the hammer head so once it's buried in the wood you can keep smacking it.

I also would say get a BFH in lieu of beating them with your maul...

 

[Jags]

If I were to buy more than a basic wedge again (although having some as cheaper backups is good) I'd be tempted to try the estwing http://www.amazon.com/Estwing-E-5-8-Inch-Cutting-9-Inch/dp/B00DT0PEUY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385510300&sr=8-1&keywords=splitting wedge

pen

And made 300 yards from where I am sitting.

 

[Ralphie Boy]

I only split by hand and I've gone through a few wedges. Over 10 cord split and stacked now and several cord now in ashes. I've 2 of the Sure Split wedges and they are okay, but not great. I've had them launch after the first strike and fly 30ft! Thankfully they missed me! They tend work well in woods like ash and just okay in oak, hickory and the like. The biggest problem I've found with wedges from most stores is splitting edge is ground at different angles. Most are made in Mexico or India, most likely by kids whom have never seen a tree in their life and have no idea what they are making.

 

[rowerwet]

"unsplitable" wood goes camping with me https://www.google.com/search?q=swe...j_HIqNkAfonYC4CA&ved=0CE0QsAQ&biw=962&bih=514

 

[1750]

"unsplitable" wood goes camping with me https://www.google.com/search?q=swedish candle&rlz=1C1CHMO_enUS487US488&espv=210&es_sm=122&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=4r6YUqj_HIqNkAfonYC4CA&ved=0CE0QsAQ&biw=962&bih=514

That's really interesting. What are you pouring in there to get it to burn like that?

 

[rowerwet]

lantern oil, and gas, both work, lantern oil won't take the hair off you arms lighting it

 

[Ram 1500 with an axe...]

I bought 2 basic, black wedges at Home Depot that do the trick, 2 work well together on the big wide stuff. They were cheap, like 6 bucks each or so.....

 

[Jack Fate]

I truly feel for you guys.5 yrs back had about 6-7 wedges buried in a 52" round of maple.

lesson learned .REALLY BIG WOOD takes BIG equipment .Or more youthful enthusiasm than I can generate anymore

cheers

 

[Ram 1500 with an axe...]

I truly feel for you guys.5 yrs back had about 6-7 wedges buried in a 52" round of maple.

lesson learned .REALLY BIG WOOD takes BIG equipment .Or more youthful enthusiasm than I can generate anymore

cheers

There was a time or two I wasn't sure my 2 wedges wasnt gonna make it out of the big maple I was pounding on, but in the end all was ok and I loved pounding and hearing that maple split.....nothing like it I say

 

[tuco1963]

i have two eastwing wedges and would recommend them over any other wedge

 

[Ralphie Boy]

I think I have at least 6 or so wedges including 2 Eastwings. All but the Eastwings are 4 lb. wedges. I bought them from various retail suppliers around my home. I search through their full supply to find 1 or 2 wedges with the splitting edges ground to the same and correct angle. Sometimes I may go to 3 or 4 places before I can find a couple of wedges that are correctly ground. Sounds picky I know but when the wedges have their splitting edge ground at different angles they are a pain to use; hard to start and tend to bounce back at you. I'm not one to pay money for something I have to bring home and rework before I can use it.

 

[Kenster]

I used to use a a grenade wedge but that sucker tended to go flying out of the round. I took a direct hit on my knee cap once that dropped me like a sack of potatoes. I laid on the ground about 15 minutes before I tried to get up, certain that my knee cap was shattered.

It wasn't, thankfully, but I did decided that I had enough wood split for the day. Shortly after that I bought a bigger wedge that has never failed me.....
It sits at the business end of a Husky 35 ton splitter.