Axe / hatchet recommendations

sab said:
Have you tried splitting any of that oak? Southern oaks are like northern elms. Very twisty grain that is very challenging to split. I built a hydraulic splitter that attaches to the three-point hitch on my tractor because the oaks we have are too much for these old joints to split!
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I haven't. We have a proportion of the twisty stuff for sure but even the straighter post oaks are hard as a rock, slow growth from being so densely packed that they've been competing for sunlight. I counted rings on a couple that were surprisingly (to me) small diameter for being 60 years old. I also have a couple of elms ready to split. Figured I had to at least try it the old fashioned way before I go for a hydraulic...if I can get through one season I'll be happy.
 
Every once in a while I think about picking up an axe or hatchet. But then come to the conclusion that all I really need is the splitting maul I have had for probably 20 years. Dont know what advertised weight is, but its 9.8lbs on the scale.

Have split hundreds of rounds with that dumb thing.

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CMBD said:
Every once in a while I think about picking up an axe or hatchet. But then come to the conclusion that all I really need is the splitting maul I have had for probably 20 years. Dont know what advertised weight is, but its 9.8lbs on the scale.

Have split hundreds of rounds with that dumb thing.

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Far more artillery than I need!
 
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Why do you want something so small? Are you hiking with it? I like to use full-sized tools.
 
srimes said:
Why do you want something so small? Are you hiking with it? I like to use full-sized tools.
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No, not hiking with it. When backpacking I carry a half-pound hand saw and stick to wrist size pieces that need to be worked to length but not split. When backpacking I pack UL so won’t carry an ax.. I don’t typically spend a lot of time in camp. Clean up, eat and sleep.

My knees aren’t what they used to be so more and more I am base camping out of the jeep and taking a lite pack hiking. Spending more time in camp so upscaling my gear just a bit.

I’m not clearing trees and splitting cords of firewood. Mostly dead fall and small stuff. The small hatchet has been pretty useful for my needs but I want something slightly bigger and with a splitter profile. Mid size seems to make the most sense to me.
 
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cliffish said:
you have used one?
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Yes I have one laying around somewhere. I haven't touched it in years. It could be useful for someone who buys split wood and occasionally needs to make an oversized piece smaller.
 
srimes said:
Yes I have one laying around somewhere. I haven't touched it in years. It could be useful for someone who buys split wood and occasionally needs to make an oversized piece smaller.
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My dad had a little wedge like that for splitting, but it was just the metal triangular part, no handle. He loved it, til he got an electric splitter
 
lBasket said:
My dad had a little wedge like that for splitting, but it was just the metal triangular part, no handle. He loved it, til he got an electric splitter
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Wedges and a sledgehammer are a great way to split big rounds. The slidehammer wedge thing just isn't efficient.
 
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lBasket said:
Ah I see. I didn't see it was also a slide hammer lol
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yeah you set the wedge down and slide the 10lb handle up and down in a giant jackoff motion. You're basically holding a sledgehammer head between your hands and swinging that at the wedge, so you don't have the advantage of a handle. It sucks. There's a reason we put handles on hammers/mauls/axes.

The only good think is you don't have to worry about aim. So it has a purpose for people who won't swing an axe.
 
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srimes said:
yeah you set the wedge down and slide the 10lb handle up and down in a giant jackoff motion. You're basically holding a sledgehammer head between your hands and swinging that at the wedge, so you don't have the advantage of a handle. It sucks. There's a reason we put handles on hammers/mauls/axes.

The only good think is you don't have to worry about aim. So it has a purpose for people who won't swing an axe.
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Closure…

I purchased the Fiskars x11 splitter. I have a backwoods trip planned for this weekend and will give it a go.
Initial thoughts…
  • The build quality seems quite good. Not issues I can see
  • Handle feels great and a perfect length for what I need. Just the right amount of texture to make it feel secure without feeling like I must wear gloves
  • There’s no real belly or throat on the handle but the end knob is quite pronounced and there’s little chance of the axe slipping from my hand
  • Lanyard holes.. I won’t use them
  • Head has a decent weight to it. I’d love to see a cut-away of how the head to handle construction is accomplished.
  • Splitting bulges are pronounced enough and would seem to be well designed
  • Gave it a go on a few pieces of wood I have at home and it felt great.
  • Touched up the edge (it took only a minute and I am sure I won’t go hungry)
  • I hate the sheath. Over-engineered. I don’t need the handle on the sheath. There are a few custom Kydex options for it. Will probably wait until after the holiday to pursue those.
 
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