Cosd Posted January 5, 2016 Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 Guys, I have no idea what to look for so thought to ask the experts amongst you. I have recently started using an open fireplace in my new house and having been advised here on the forum, I have asked the guys who are in the process of cutting down a 70 foot ash tree to leave me some of it so I can use. They have cut the trunk into 8" segments and piling it up for me, but I will need to chop them up into usable logs. What axe should I look for? Is there a particular type for splitting the logs? The tree surgeon has advised that I split them whilst they are still wet to make it easier. Any advice appreciated. Cos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Essex Keeper Posted January 5, 2016 Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 (edited) gave up on the axe http://www.screwfix.com/p/woodstar-iv60-104cm-log-splitter-3000w/67260 also very good but not an axe http://www.toolstation.com/shop/p40058?utm_source=googleshopping&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=googleshoppingfeed&mkwid=swcIOENDL_dc&pcrid=46297890743&pkw=&pmt=&gclid=CjwKEAiA8K20BRDetNv3p6DNhXwSJADS my mate on the farm has this set http://www.screwfix.com/p/roughneck-log-splitter-set-3-pieces/48279?kpid=48279&cm_mmc=Google-_-Product%20Listing%20Ads-_-Sales%20Tracking-_-sales%20tracking%20url&cm_mmc=Google-_-Shopping%20-%20Landscaping%20and%20Outdoor-_-Shopping%20-%20Landscaping%20and%20Outdoor&gclid=CjwKEAiA8K20BRDetNv3p6DNhXwSJADSwa3taqwUXdGjtr6rDS56-Yh484tGUDZW-O9ap_gIP7xyoBoCtDjw_wcB Edited January 5, 2016 by Essex Keeper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malkiserow Posted January 5, 2016 Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 (edited) Guys, I have no idea what to look for so thought to ask the experts amongst you. I have recently started using an open fireplace in my new house and having been advised here on the forum, I have asked the guys who are in the process of cutting down a 70 foot ash tree to leave me some of it so I can use. They have cut the trunk into 8" segments and piling it up for me, but I will need to chop them up into usable logs. What axe should I look for? Is there a particular type for splitting the logs? The tree surgeon has advised that I split them whilst they are still wet to make it easier. Any advice appreciated. Cos Ash splits easily so good for hand work if you don't want a machine. What is your budget? there are hundreds of cheapo axes out there and some quality ones.... Gransfors are nice If you only ever split 8inch Ash, then a cheap aze kept sharp will get you by. Quality tools are nice but you have a very low need with Ash. Don't forget to let it dry after splitting and before burning For what it is worth .... I use an old blacksmith made british axe for the heavy work and a little Gransfors small forest axe for kindling etc. Edited January 5, 2016 by malkiserow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muffin Posted January 5, 2016 Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 To old for the axe me can split nice pieces like you see pilled up in the wood stove shop its the awful shaped knotty bits that are a problem thats why I was after a log spliter for the back of my tractor still looking could do wit a S/H one you buy some logs for 1000 quid or someone to split them locally Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
felly100 Posted January 5, 2016 Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 Fiskars x27👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben0850 Posted January 5, 2016 Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 Fiskars x27👍 This! Top kit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panoma1 Posted January 5, 2016 Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 Log splitting Maul? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted January 5, 2016 Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 Can't get on with those grenade things, threw one in my log pile and it did nothing. I've been looking at the electric log splitters, used one in the past and they are a very labour saving tool, they make easy work of 95% of logs that need splitting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted January 5, 2016 Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 For me the "maul" is the most useless heavy tool known to man................if the wood has been cheesed up into 8" bits a 3/4 size felling /trimming axe will do just right....and do it whilst still wet as your mate advises...go onto the Sthil website..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted January 5, 2016 Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 Try this one.......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatcatsplat Posted January 5, 2016 Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 Grenade works great or any old axe head and a club hammer. Ignore all the big swinging lumberjacks - Place your choice of splitter where you want it to split the wood and hit it with a club hammer - No missed strokes, shoulder pain or mishaps!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winnie&bezza Posted January 5, 2016 Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 Gransfors! Go on Ray mears' website. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted January 5, 2016 Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 Log splitting Maul? Seconded a piece of cake with ash, the key is in the name, a felling axe is different to a log splitting maul. Ideally look for one with a fibre glass handle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zapp Posted January 5, 2016 Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 Another vote for a maul, you can get them for about £20. I wouldnt get anything nice if you're new to it as I guarantee you will knacker it if you do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonepark Posted January 5, 2016 Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 (edited) For splitting, a 5lb maul is enough, any heavier is hard work, most are too heavy to use efficently. Look for concave faces and handle protector below head. When you get it, sharpen it and keep it sharp. A small 2lb lump hammer is useful for when it gets stuck or to drive it as a wedge. For kindling, a small axe is useful and any of the wildlife hatchets with 12 inch handles would be fine. With regards brands (Hultafors are good and keenly priced) Edited January 5, 2016 by Stonepark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotslad Posted January 5, 2016 Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 As most have said Ash is a doddle to split and easier when wet. I'd second/3rd the above, i just bought a cheap roughneck one from Screwfix, if ur not used to swinging an axe/mel i'd stick to a cheap 1 as until ur better u'll probably catch the shank on the timber. I actually use it fairly blunt, if u use a sharp felling axe (usually quite narrow) all that happens is the head will get stuck in the timber, althou to be fair in ash prob won't be a prob, but in knotty wood they can be a pain. In the past 18 month i've done about 80-90 cube so prob 30-45T with this cheapo axe and still going strong. The trick i have found is in ur aim, i always try to get the axe as near to edge of timber as i can, so some of face is always touching the bark, when head is all inside the timber it just sticks. Seen me splitting some log up to 2ft long but regularly doing oak, beech, sycamore 12-18 thick no probs, althou i've found beech easier when semi dry or dry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbiep Posted January 5, 2016 Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 Fiskars x27 Another +1 for this. Fantastic axe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotslad Posted January 5, 2016 Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 Another top tip is place a tyre over ur log, it stops it splitting and flying everywhere esp handy if needing to quarter it aves u constantly bending down to pick bits up to re split them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted January 5, 2016 Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 Maul and stack the logs into an old tyre in mass this way you just go at them instead of faffing around one at a time My ash is very hard and I can't say it's a doddle to split popular is could do it with a pocket knife lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted January 5, 2016 Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 The Fiskars X27 or X21 if all ringed. I have a couple a X27 and a X15 I think the smaller one is. My dad has the X21. Great splitting axes, I sometimes use a large mallet on mine if it gets stuck on a knot,along with a twisted log splitting thing and a wood grenade. Hard work but enjoyable. Get a old car tyre and put your rounds in to split, have a look online. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjimmer Posted January 5, 2016 Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 (edited) Seconded a piece of cake with ash, the key is in the name, a felling axe is different to a log splitting maul. Ideally look for one with a fibre glass handle +1 Pick the right logs and you can split Ash down to kindling very easily, preferably with a smaller axe. Edited January 5, 2016 by rjimmer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosd Posted January 5, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 I'm overwhelmed with the response guys!! Loads on here for me to have a read on now. Looks like either this: https://www.buyaparcel.com/p/fiskars-x11-122440-splitting-axe-1-08kg-2-13lb-443mm-anti-shock-soft-grip-fsk122440-fiskars-axe-sharpening-tool-fsk120740/?gclid=COe8pduKk8oCFUeVGwodKVUAHw or one of these http://www.screwfix.com/p/roughneck-splitting-maul-8lb/87268?kpid=87268&cm_mmc=Google-_-Product%20Listing%20Ads-_-Sales%20Tracking-_-sales%20tracking%20url&cm_mmc=Google-_-Shopping%20-%20Mixed-_-Shopping%20-%20Mixed&gclid=CNGorfaKk8oCFcMSwwod4LEJnw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjimmer Posted January 5, 2016 Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 If there is the slightest hint of a knot, split the log the way it grew ie from the bottom up. Put the log on the block upside down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjimmer Posted January 5, 2016 Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 Looks like one of these http://www.screwfix.com/p/roughneck-splitting-maul-8lb/87268?kpid=87268&cm_mmc=Google-_-Product%20Listing%20Ads-_-Sales%20Tracking-_-sales%20tracking%20url&cm_mmc=Google-_-Shopping%20-%20Mixed-_-Shopping%20-%20Mixed&gclid=CNGorfaKk8oCFcMSwwod4LEJnw Nice long handle for plenty of speed in the head. Mine came from Lidl, much cheaper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosd Posted January 5, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 Can you wack any axe like this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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