The $250 axe

[Stegman]

Saw a small write-up of these in Men's Journal last month. Looks like it works pretty good - as it should for 250 clams. I'll be sticking with my Fiskars, but thought some of you deep-pocketed folks might be interested. It's called a Vipukirves Leveraxe

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Here's a video of guy using one:

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[Jags]

Yep - this has actually been around for awhile. One was sent on tour to some members of here as well as AS. The basic conclusion was - soft, straight grained wood split into small splits was its strength. Elm ate it alive (or any tough splitting wood). The inventor dude was actually part of the discussion.

 

[clemsonfor]

That wood looks so brash. Split crazy easy. I think k any light ax would do that?

 

[TreePointer]

Yep, been around. Too pricey for a limited use tool.

This discussion started in 2007 and as of this posting has 344 replies:
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[bmblank]

On top of that, i could split that wood swinging my arm with a wedge in my hand.
And why was he making kindling?

 

[McKeznak]

And why was he making kindling?

Honestly all of the axe demo vids I've been watching have been like this, I've only 1 season in of burning so I thought maybe i was burning WAY too large of splits, but no it seems these people just love making tooth picks

 

[Jags]

Over the pond - it is common to see small splits. They use a lot of small stoves over there.

 

[bmblank]

That's true. Seems like they either go tiny or grandiose, very little middle ground.

 

[Paulywalnut]

Hit a round of mulberry with that thing ouch!

 

[n6crv]

I would be dizzy going around and around like that!

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Saw a small write-up of these in Men's Journal last month. Looks like it works pretty good - as it should for 250 clams. I'll be sticking with my Fiskars, but thought some of you deep-pocketed folks might be interested. It's called a Vipukirves Leveraxe

Have you ever wondered why they would advertise in a Men's Journal rather than in the normal places you'd advertise these things? There is a reason...

 

[JrCRXHF]

Turn the fiskers a little sideways and then you more or less have the same thing. But i think you are 25% of the way to a new 22ton hydro splitter.

 

[BobUrban]

can you say, "carpal tunnel"??? I think this thing would be a wrist/hand eater no matter how magically it works.

 

[Stegman]

Have you ever wondered why they would advertise in a Men's Journal rather than in the normal places you'd advertise these things? There is a reason...

It wasn't an ad. It was a short write-up as part of the annual "gear" issue.

 

[Adios Pantalones]

When they find a way to make a real +2 magic maul, I will spend 250 gold pieces.

 

[jensent]

Had the leveraxe that was available to those interested on the AS. Used it for about a month. The inventer is a fun guy with a great idea. The axe is extremely well designed and extremely well constructed. Used it on rounds of red elm,hard maple, soft maple, mulberry. All rounds were green enough that you could still smell the 2stroke oil from the saw. It worked best for us when we followed the growth rings as we split. The axe was designed to be safe and it is! It does not twist the users wrists or arms. If you can hit the round the axe stays there. You would have to miss the round to injure your self by miss striking. There are other threads here and on the AS that discuss the leveraxe in depth. Used to be some info on Utube as well. I would love to have one but could not justify the price but am still tempted. (I have no financial interest in this tool.)
Tom

 

[drumbum]

When they find a way to make a real +2 magic maul, I will spend 250 gold pieces.

Dang, pulled out a D&D reference. Long live Gary Gygax

 

[dafattkidd]

Honestly, I love splitting with an 8# maul. It is fast, efficient, and relatively safe. No worries of cutting myself or busting my wrists. I own two 8# mauls. They were under $30 each, and I can't imagine a better way to split wood by hand. This product is ridiculously over priced and seems to be awful on your wrists.

 

[dafattkidd]

Also, I hate splitting wood at waist level while dizzying myself in circles. Leave it on the ground. I do love using a tire though.

 

[TreePointer]

I still have my 8 lb. maul, but the Fiskars X27 allows me to go longer before taking breaks. Most of the time, however, I split with a Huskee 35-ton machine.

 

[Stegman]

Dang, pulled out a D&D reference. Long live Gary Gygax

That sailed right over my head. Awesome.