lord_seagrave Posted January 12, 2019 Report Share Posted January 12, 2019 Chaps, I’m after a decent axe for splitting logs. I’m tall, so it either needs a good long handle to start with, or have the option of a longer handle. I liked the look and feel of the Fiskars X25, but see that there is a bigger version - the X27. Do the PW axe-users have any advice? LS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redial Posted January 12, 2019 Report Share Posted January 12, 2019 I find having a good block on which to work is half the battle. As for the axe, I picked up one or two up at boot sales. Nothing fancy, just make sure it's tight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SxS Posted January 12, 2019 Report Share Posted January 12, 2019 If you’re happy to make an investment in something traditional/craftsman made then look at Gransfor Bruks. Really enjoy using mine, but the wife still thinks I was nuts to spend that much on an axe... even though one of my kids will inherit it! The fiskars are meant to be great axes though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
39TDS Posted January 12, 2019 Report Share Posted January 12, 2019 X27 is usually the one everybody recommends. Son bought a X25 recently and raves about it but it is a bit short. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haynes Posted January 12, 2019 Report Share Posted January 12, 2019 Buy a splitting maul. Cheap and heavy. Axe wont get stuck in a log. Either it splits it or stops dead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lord_seagrave Posted January 12, 2019 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2019 3 hours ago, SxS said: If you’re happy to make an investment in something traditional/craftsman made then look at Gransfor Bruks. Really enjoy using mine, but the wife still thinks I was nuts to spend that much on an axe... even though one of my kids will inherit it! The fiskars are meant to be great axes though. Gosh, those Gransfor Bruks are beauties The maul looks the bizzle in terms of weight and length... Might need to save up a bit. LS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mice! Posted January 12, 2019 Report Share Posted January 12, 2019 45 minutes ago, haynes said: Buy a splitting maul. Cheap and heavy. Axe wont get stuck in a log. Either it splits it or stops dead. I bought one of these a few years ago, nothing special fibre glass handle i think. question, should it be sharpened like an axe? also bought a splitting wedge, never really used either much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodbepigeonshooter Posted January 12, 2019 Report Share Posted January 12, 2019 Just bought the xxl 27 as I kept breaking axe handles and was replacing every 6 months so hopefully will not have to withe the fiskers which has a 25 yr guarantee. I think u can get a free sharpener still if you get the xxl 27 through Tooled-Up” delivered for £60. I have used the xxl 27 for a few hrs and it splits well better than anything I previously have used either heavy splitter or a 4 1/2 lb cutting axe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haynes Posted January 12, 2019 Report Share Posted January 12, 2019 21 minutes ago, Mice! said: I bought one of these a few years ago, nothing special fibre glass handle i think. question, should it be sharpened like an axe? also bought a splitting wedge, never really used either much. Ive never bothered. Maybe a touch with a grinder if youve hit a stone or concrete. But i think if sharp like an axe it might stick. Hated using an axe to split. Too much effort needed to force the blow through the wood. Then every other blow would have it stick in the timber, especially if it was knotty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hambone Posted January 12, 2019 Report Share Posted January 12, 2019 Husqvarna axe's are made by Wetterlings and are on par with Gransfor Bruks at a lower price. Yes a fiberglass axe/maul will do the same job but as said above it is a pleasure to use these quality tools. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex C Posted January 12, 2019 Report Share Posted January 12, 2019 Another vote for the Grandfors Bruk splitting maul. Makes short work of things Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted January 12, 2019 Report Share Posted January 12, 2019 I have been using a X27 for around five years. Very good axe, if the wood don't split straight away I give the good news with a mell hammer until the wood does split. Im 6'3" its ok for me to work up a sweat with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SxS Posted January 12, 2019 Report Share Posted January 12, 2019 1 hour ago, haynes said: Ive never bothered. Maybe a touch with a grinder if youve hit a stone or concrete. But i think if sharp like an axe it might stick. Hated using an axe to split. Too much effort needed to force the blow through the wood. Then every other blow would have it stick in the timber, especially if it was knotty. Agree. A felling axe needs to be sharp to go across the grain (you’re cutting!) but a splitting axe is used along the grain and instead of needing to be sharp needs the head to have a broad spread to open up the wood. Think knife vs wedge. I’d probably knock out any chips from the leading edge with a grinder, but that shouldn’t happen if you’re using a block (which you want to do anyway for safety). Had also heard about the husqvana/witterlings, but went GB as my father in law is swift to “borrow” anything with Husqvana written on it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muddy Funker Posted January 12, 2019 Report Share Posted January 12, 2019 Roughneck, from screwfix. Get the kit with comes with maul, hatchet and wood grenade (wedge) Cheap and works, had mine 2 years with lots of use still works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walker570 Posted January 12, 2019 Report Share Posted January 12, 2019 Don't know what make mine is but more a maul than an axe with a 'plastic' probably fibreglass handle. Do not use it that much as I have a 4ft long 5 inch diamter ram which sorts most splitting problems out for me. One thing with the splitting maul it has a flat face on the back and can be used as a lightweight sledge hammer....duel purpose so to speak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rovercoupe Posted January 12, 2019 Report Share Posted January 12, 2019 Only ever had a cheapo wood handle jobbie from tool station and never had a problem with it, I have a wood grenade and wedges but if the grenade won't do it it goes in the pile to just cut with the saw. Split tons of wood and never snapped a handle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mice! Posted January 13, 2019 Report Share Posted January 13, 2019 4 hours ago, haynes said: Ive never bothered. Maybe a touch with a grinder if youve hit a stone or concrete. But i think if sharp like an axe it might stick. Hated using an axe to split. Too much effort needed to force the blow through the wood. Then every other blow would have it stick in the timber, especially if it was knotty. 3 hours ago, SxS said: Agree. A felling axe needs to be sharp to go across the grain (you’re cutting!) but a splitting axe is used along the grain and instead of needing to be sharp needs the head to have a broad spread to open up the wood. Think knife vs wedge. I’d probably knock out any chips from the leading edge with a grinder, but that shouldn’t happen if you’re using a block (which you want to do anyway for safety). Had also heard about the husqvana/witterlings, but went GB as my father in law is swift to “borrow” anything with Husqvana written on it! cheers gents makes sense, mine is probably an Aldi special now i think about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricko Posted January 13, 2019 Report Share Posted January 13, 2019 As several people have already said, get a splitting maul rather than a felling axe if you are splitting logs. The 'make' isn't important if you're not using it constantly, just look for good build quality. I think mine came from Homebase. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClemFandango Posted January 13, 2019 Report Share Posted January 13, 2019 For splitting logs Gransfors bruks etc are a waste of money really. Just get a half decent 6 or 8lb Maul, £20-£25. Doesn't need to be sharp, it's not a cutting tool after all. as Walker said the flat back end is really useful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nuke Posted January 13, 2019 Report Share Posted January 13, 2019 Vipukirves is a bit unorthodox but very effective. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://m.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DnvXtUSPpUtE&ved=2ahUKEwjbtZexq-rfAhUCt4sKHdZ0Bk4QwqsBMAN6BAgPEA4&usg=AOvVaw28ODey3HC6K-zkSgdkBYUW /Markus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokersmith Posted January 13, 2019 Report Share Posted January 13, 2019 Now that does look effective !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moondoggy Posted January 13, 2019 Report Share Posted January 13, 2019 38 minutes ago, Nuke said: Vipukirves is a bit unorthodox but very effective. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://m.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DnvXtUSPpUtE&ved=2ahUKEwjbtZexq-rfAhUCt4sKHdZ0Bk4QwqsBMAN6BAgPEA4&usg=AOvVaw28ODey3HC6K-zkSgdkBYUW /Markus And very expensive too. That is if you can find one in this country. I do quite a lot of log splitting and have a hydraulic log splitter and the Roughneck wood splitting set, mentioned earlier. The splitter is very easy, but needs electricity. The Roughneck set is slower, but a good workout. I would avoid normal axes and go for the log splitting maul (like the one in the Roughneck set), as that is what the tool is designed for doing. With a normal axe, you will spend half your time and energy trying to release a jammed axe. Also, have look on YouTube at the tyre method, where you fill an old tyre with logs and chop away. It can can you a lot of time and back ache. Not sure if you will be doing kindling chopping? But, this week, I have just bought one of these (as just before Christmas, I cut my thumb badly chopping kindling). https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OF_rac8FJVs The one I bought was very similar off fleabay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonepark Posted January 13, 2019 Report Share Posted January 13, 2019 2 hours ago, Nuke said: Vipukirves is a bit unorthodox but very effective. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://m.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DnvXtUSPpUtE&ved=2ahUKEwjbtZexq-rfAhUCt4sKHdZ0Bk4QwqsBMAN6BAgPEA4&usg=AOvVaw28ODey3HC6K-zkSgdkBYUW /Markus For straight grained wood it is fine , but for knotty wood, not enough punch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonepark Posted January 13, 2019 Report Share Posted January 13, 2019 15 hours ago, haynes said: Ive never bothered. Maybe a touch with a grinder if youve hit a stone or concrete. But i think if sharp like an axe it might stick. Hated using an axe to split. Too much effort needed to force the blow through the wood. Then every other blow would have it stick in the timber, especially if it was knotty. A maul should still have a sharp edge, the difference is the edge geometry will be 45+ degrees edge going back to a 30 degrees bevel a instead of the 30 to 40 edge of a felling axe going back to a 15 to 20 degree bevel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
islandgun Posted January 13, 2019 Report Share Posted January 13, 2019 I have a grenade type splitter and a shard broke off the top when hitting and left a wound in my leg.. as has been said if the shaft of the axe is too short get a higher block Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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