Stihl Maul

[neumsky]

Do any of you out there have a Stihl PA 80 maul & if so are you happy with it? How long have you had it? Have you ever broke the handle? I went and looked at one today. Looks like a heffer of a maul! For wood the handle looks stout. The store told me they'd sell it to me for 10 off which would make it 74 dollars & some change. I love orange. I'd go with the fiskar X25, but it's too close to what I've got already and that works so so. Jeff

 

[neumsky]

26 Lookers so far and none of you have this model? Hmmm! Interesting....cause it's too expensive??? or is there other reasons? Jeff

 

[turbocruiser]

I recently purchased it and returned it. Here's the thread. I do think that my experience was unique and unusual but ...

https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/87857/

By the way, as always, the Stihl dealer was wonderful about it all. I almost got another one as exchange but just because I'm spoiled by the super tight heads on Fiskars axes I just returned it. If you do get it and like it please share because I think that would be much less unique and much less unusual. Hope this helps.

 

[MarkinNC]

I considered it but for the price I went with a X27 and let me say that I am happy about that decision.

 

[quads]

26 Lookers so far and none of you have this model? Hmmm! Interesting....cause it's too expensive??? or is there other reasons? Jeff

I was one of the lookers, out of curiosity. I do not own one, my local Stihl dealers carry them, but for the price of four or five 6# mauls, I passed and have never bought one. They look like they might be fun to split wood with, but I do just fine with my old maul. Now, on the other hand, if anybody locally had one of those Fiskars, I would buy it just to be one of the cool kids, but other than that, I can swing the old maul without any trouble. HAHA!

 

[neumsky]

You are funny quads. Yeah...if you go to other forums...they hail the almighty Stihl Maul. I think I'll try one. What the hay...it's only money! I do appreciate all these inputs... Jeff

 

[jotul8e2]

This is my third season with the Stihl maul.

Although I have two Stihl saws I am not by any means one of those people who will buy anything orange. In fact, I was dubious in the extreme, but I was not having any luck with the common mauls at the farm store, and the Stihl did appear to be far better designed. So I bought one. Maybe one of the best purchases I have ever made.

I have given it every opportunity to break the handle, but have not succeeded yet. In the time I have used it I would have broken at least three or four handles on my other maul, so a couple more years and I will be cash ahead!

But I did not know of these people then - (broken link removed to http://www.counciltool.com/product.asp?pg=product&item=60MA) . I think I would give one of them a try if I did not already have the Stihl.

 

[neumsky]

Thanx Jotul8e2....kinda wondering how you came up with your handle...You buy your Jotul in 1982 or your 82 years old haha. With the jokin aside...I appreciate you chimin in and I do believe I will give it a try. This coming paycheck. I know the one I'm working with now is designed like a X27 and it's ok. Just think something betters out there. I do agree, the Stihl looks like a moose! I too have been trying to break my handle. Sure am tearing the heck out of the rubber ring which surrounds the neck by the head haha. I will do a review on this piece of equipment after a short while. I can tell you this...used to use my Farm Boss quite a bit for about 5 years & than left it sit for 3 years. Guess what...did'nt do anything to it for that 3 years including winterizing. I pulled that starter rope with 3 year old gas in it... pulled it about 4 times and it started. I just about fell over backwards! Thanx again! Jeff

 

[bogydave]

I looked when I was at the Stihl store, I like the old style & the price was like Quads said, "high", compared to ones with no "Name" on them.
Synthetic handles are tougher, seeing it had a wood handle was a surprise.
Probably a fine maul if you don't have any, I have 2 & now a Hyd splitter.

 

[jotul8e2]

Thanx Jotul8e2....kinda wondering how you came up with your handle...You buy your Jotul in 1982 or your 82 years old haha.

Apparently no one has ever "gotten" my joke. It is pronounced, or rather sort of sung, "Yout'l-ate-eee-tooo". You know, "yodel".... See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQhqikWnQCU&feature=related

It seemed funny to me at the time, anyway.

 

[neumsky]

Hahahaha...I get it now! Jeff

 

[neumsky]

BTW...that is'nt you doing all that Jotuling is it?

 

[RNLA]

Isn't STIHL a saw company? :lol:

 

[neumsky]

Your too funnyRNLA!

 

[RNLA]

I just wanted to check! Have we decided weather or not the maul is good? I have seen it but don't know if it is just paint. I have 2 sets of loppers from STIHL, they were $pendy. Then a while back I was at my favorite hardware store and saw the same exact sets with a different name cast into the metal and black rubber bumper instead of orange. A little more than 50% of the cost of the STIHL unit. No offense guys but I will buy the others which are big name too.

 

[neumsky]

Well RNLA...I am going to purchase one this week and let you know. I've purchased a RockForge from HD and it's very similar to the Fiskar X25...the long one and think it's good...but I don't believe it has the weight to it. It's 4.5 lbs whereas the Stihl is 6.6 lbs. I still believe you usually get what you pay for.

 

[rwhite]

Well RNLA...I am going to purchase one this week and let you know. I've purchased a RockForge from HD and it's very similar to the Fiskar X25...the long one and think it's good...but I don't believe it has the weight to it. It's 4.5 lbs whereas the Stihl is 6.6 lbs. I still believe you usually get what you pay for.

I have the Ludell which I believe is the previous name of the Rockforce. Great head but the handle stink. They claim fiberglass but from what I could see when I cut it off it was just a small fiberglass core covered in plastic. The flex on it killed my wrists. Got a good hickory handle on it now and it was a 200% improvement. I prefer it over my 6lb maul and have found the if it won't split a piece that it's time for the wedge. One thing I don't advise on these is using as a sledge. I don't think the back of the head will hold up.


(broken image removed)

(broken image removed)

 

[neumsky]

That might be the claim to fame for the Stihl...it has a quality hickory handle! That head on there looks exactly like my RockForge!

 

[RNLA]

Hey guys, I got to stop you here. If I understood the description, you said something about that splitting axe holding up to a sledge??? I want to correct anyone who does this or might do it. There is a category of tools to be considered, these are "striking" & "struck" do not confuse these. The striking tools are just that, made to strike. The struck are made to be hit by something, these are wedges or chisels or drift punches etc. IF you choose to get the axe stuck in the round you need to work it out. I can say first hand it can be dangerous for one and absolutely destroy a tool for two. Sure the axe or maul look similar in shape to a solid wedge but they don't work the same.

 

[RNLA]

Sorry rwhite, I reread your post you said you didn't advise it. I'm just saying never think about it.

 

[neumsky]

Ok...bought the Stihl PA 80 yesterday and have to say... I'm very impressed! I will continue to use it and let you know. My wood is still very wet. I don't know how long a guy should wait before it gets easier to split! These pieces are all in excess of 24 inches also. I do not split this wood on anything solid. Right on the grass. I did wrap the handle by the head with electrical tape. Got it for 75 dollars! Jeff