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Which axe?


Cosd
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What a coincidence, I've just had a silver birch felled today and have been left with all the wood. Any advice for logging/splitting that's different from ash?

 

I know its a "wet" wood and will require a great deal of drying before burning.

Birch is great,it does tend to go light and rot down after a year or so.
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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.

 

I would suggest either a Les Paul or a Straticaster depending on your persuasion. Strange and expensive way to chop,up wood though?

 

Cos

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I have a splitting maul from countrywide. Tried other axes for splitting but none as good as this. Get one with a hickory handle. Fibreglass ones are more prone to shattering and if you knacker a wooden you can just replace it.

I also have a Transfers Bruks small forest axe and a little hatchet for kindling.

 

Sorry if you already know this but I learned the hard way. Don't aim for the middle of the log, go nearer the edge and it will split easier. Get a good chopping block and have the log 2-3 ft off the ground. When you start to feel tired put the axe down. I've nearly put a maul through my shin a few times because I wanted to just finish a pile off.

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Any axe or maul will do if you split it while it is still green. It is good exercise and good for stress relief. If you let it season and go hard I have known mauls to bounce off the logs with no effect and only a sharp cutting axe or splitter will do.

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Had one of these for 4 years now after years of using splitting axe. This splits 99% of logs you can lift onto bed including Oak, ash, conifer etc if they are not to knotty. Splits 2ft oak rings like butter. Wish i bought one years ago.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ELECTRIC-HYDRAULIC-LOG-SPLITTER-WOOD-AXE-CUTTER-STAND-BLADE-RAM-STOP-FM10T-/141509698922?hash=item20f2a2a56a:g:aocAAOSwJcZWcBl4

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After reading this think i might treat myself to a Fiskars X27.

Are they really that good?? The head looks quite narrow compared to most splitting mauls.

 

Must admit thou the cheapy i've got is doing the job well, if ur new to swinging an axe i would buy a cheapy until u learn to swing it accurately, even then still easy to catch the shank odd times on the log (usually when being too lazy and trying to spilt a log behind the 1 in front whithout moving the front 1)

Edited by scotslad
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After reading this think i might treat myself to a Fiskars X27.

Are they really that good?? The head looks quite narrow compared to most splitting mauls.

 

Must admit thou the cheapy i've got is doing the job well, if ur new to swinging an axe i would buy a cheapy until u learn to swing it accurately, even then still easy to catch the shank odd times on the log (usually when being too lazy and trying to spilt a log behind the 1 in front whithout moving the front 1)

 

 

I read that the shank is guaranteed for life, virtually indestructible :) , that's why I just went for that one

Also saw a couple of Fiskarts X27 vs maul youtube videos.....but lets see, proof will be in the pudding as they say.

Edited by Cosd
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I read that the shank is guaranteed for life, virtually indestructible :) , that's why I just went for that one

Also saw a couple of Fiskarts X27 vs maul youtube videos.....but lets see, proof will be in the pudding as they say.

I used a maul for ages, bought a fiskars and the difference is significant.

The fiskars has a different technique and a flick of the wrist when in the log helps. The fiskars is way better than a maul in my humble opinion!

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