Splitting Logs

madlyn

I am after a Log Splitter,
Am I best to by a wooden handled Axe or a Splitting Maul which seem to have Fiberglass handles? 

Apodemus

I have a splitting maul and find it better than any axe I've used.  I would suggest that you might also want a sledge hammer to hit the maul with and possibly a "grenade" type splitter.  However, I eventually gave up on the hand-splitting and got an electric hydraulic splitter and it was well worth it. But please bear in mind that all the above will do everything they possibly can to injure you, so invest in the appropriate PPE...and use it! 

mumf

Splitting maul. Hands down. I have split many tons of logs with the same fibreglass handled maul for twenty years. And a lump hammer to whack it with when it sticks.

mumf

Splitting maul. Hands down. I have split many tons of logs with the same fibreglass handled maul for twenty years. And a lump hammer to whack it with when it sticks.

donemedosh

I used to work on a 3.5 acre estate as a gardener/handyman & one of my jobs was to split logs lots of logs. Axe is ok but quite labour intensive. Then we got a electric log splitter (about £230) this was a lot faster & a lot easier. Never used a maul but i would say the fibreglass handle is better as it is lighter & stronger than wood.

DiggerUK

Years back I  got a cheap (£25?) yellow handled maul from one of the 'sheds 'and used a sledgehammer with it. The handle eventually split and came apart from the head.
The safety red slash through a circle over a hammer is because the maul can fall apart if that's what you do. So we now use a sledge and wedge for tough bits, anything too knotty ends up on the wild life wood piles.

After the original cheap mistake we got a Fiskars X range maul......oh is it sweet to use. Also we are still fit enough to use one, so will only get a splitter when a cheap second hand one becomes available or we lose the ability to swing a maul.

Word to the wise, split when wood is as green as possible, so much easier..._
Edit, how to choose the right size maul..._

greenbee

Another vote for a maul.

I do have an electric log splitter too, as when I first moved here I had so many trees taken down that I needed to be able to get through a significant volume of wood (I'm still using the last of it now, 7 years on). 

gamston

if you have a good amount of logs to split, get an electric log splitter
i've used axe. maul, log granade, found they knocked my elbows out, got an electric log splitter far better, logs splitter moved and stacked in no time
if you get a electric log splitter get a double ender splitter 

madlyn

I used my Brother in  Laws wooden handle Axe last week and got on fine with it, I just wondered if there is any real difference between the 2? (I am Female BTW) 

Davesnave

madlyn said:

I used my Brother in  Laws wooden handle Axe last week and got on fine with it, I just wondered if there is any real difference between the 2? (I am Female BTW) 

An axe is narrower and the maul's shape helps force the wood apart, so it's better IMO.  It's a good work out for most people, so half an hour at a time is usually enough. Nothing wrong with getting a little hot and sweaty! (perspiring if you are female )

Apodemus

The axe head should form a more acute angle than the splitting maul, with straight edges, whereas the maul will have a narrower edge initially, then bevel out to the back of the head.  This shape ensures that the maul directs more force laterally as the head is driven into the wood than the axe would.  A properly shaped grenade would possibly achieve this better, but the action of using the maul is easier than the grenade plus sledge hammer approach.  As mentioned above, a good splitting maul should be lighter than a wooden handled axe of the same length.

If you are new to all this, please make sure that you have suitable protection for your feet and wear eye protection for the splinters.  A maul is probably going to be less sharp and less likely to penetrate your foot than an axe, but the downward force and speed is sufficient to do serious blunt trauma.