What maul or axe for splitting larger splits?

[SIERRADMAX]

Truper makes decent splitting malls of wedges cheap. I use a 6 lb. fiberglass splitting mall for all my splitting needs, including resplits. I paid $9.99 for it too..

 

[rwhite]

The Fiskars are getting hard to find in these here parts. i have contacted the many HDs and Lowes and even Sears who is supposed to be a reseller dont have them in stock. Will try Grainger tomorrow.

Here they are and on sale! http://www.baileysonline.com/search.asp?SKW=2668 axe&catID=10341

 

[Kenster]

I've had this tool for 30-35 years. I keep it on the front porch to further split down large splits if needed. It also goes with me into the field when I'm working. Good for tapping in wedges. It's hand maul, not an axe. Weighs 3.5 pounds and is made of one piece of steel, the handle is wrapped with leather strips. I have no idea where I got it. No brand name on it. Pretty handy when my 10 pound maul or my Fiskers SS is overkill.

 

[Thistle]

I've had this tool for 30-35 years. I keep it on the front porch to further split down large splits if needed. It also goes with me into the field when I'm working. Good for tapping in wedges. It's hand maul, not an axe. Weighs 3.5 pounds and is made of one piece of steel, the handle is wrapped with leather strips. I have no idea where I got it. No brand name on it. Pretty handy when my 10 pound maul or my Fiskers SS is overkill.

IMO you cant beat those old leather wrapped Estwing hammers,hatchets & axes.I have a few that are well over 60 yrs old (company was founded in Rockford IL in 1926) and the quality is unmatched.For daily use I have 2 of their 22 & 28 oz framing hammers with the blue nylon grips.I dont believe they offer the leather -wraps on entire product line anymore.

 

[Kenster]

Thistle, do you think that's what this tool is? An Estwing? I have no idea. I don't remember every buying it. It could well have been in a bunch of antique tools that once belonged to my Bride's grandfather. I have a garage attic full of his old tools. This hand maul is very useful!

 

[Thistle]

Thistle, do you think that's what this tool is? An Estwing? I have no idea. I don't remember every buying it. It could well have been in a bunch of antique tools that once belonged to my Bride's grandfather. I have a garage attic full of his old tools. This hand maul is very useful!

I'm not much of a gambler,but I'd bet that one is for sure.Dont know if any other companies made 1 piece tools w/ leather stacked washer handles like that.If there were,Estwing was certainly the largest & most well known of them. Is there a oval metal 'tag' held on with 2 rivets on the end of the handle? A few of my older ones are like that,that serves 2 purposes - the metal tag has company info/model no. on it,plus holds those leather washers in place.

Last I knew,Estwing still made that maul - its had the blue nylon grip for years now though. (broken link removed to http://www.estwing.com/product.php?product_id=1400) I may splurge & grab one soon,or at least check Ebay for a good older one like yours. :coolsmile:

Ooops the company was founded in 1923,not 1926 like I typed earlier :red:

 

[Jags]

(company was founded in Rockford IL in 1926)

I can look out my office window and see Estwings plant. Literally next door.

 

[Kenster]

I just went out and checked the end of the handle. Bingo. The oval tag says "Estwing," Rockford IL! Never noticed that tag before. Wonder how old this thing is and what it might be worth....

 

[Thistle]

I just went out and checked the end of the handle. Bingo. The oval tag says "Estwing," Rockford IL! Never noticed that tag before. Wonder how old this thing is and what it might be worth....

Only 'older' with the leather washer handle one I found on Ebay right now is going for $38 with 2 days left on auction + $12.50 shipping to my area. About the same cost as a new one actually.

I wouldnt mind having it,gonna wait a few more weeks til finances improve some though.

 

[firecracker_77]

I've had this tool for 30-35 years. I keep it on the front porch to further split down large splits if needed. It also goes with me into the field when I'm working. Good for tapping in wedges. It's hand maul, not an axe. Weighs 3.5 pounds and is made of one piece of steel, the handle is wrapped with leather strips. I have no idea where I got it. No brand name on it. Pretty handy when my 10 pound maul or my Fiskers SS is overkill.

IMO you cant beat those old leather wrapped Estwing hammers,hatchets & axes.I have a few that are well over 60 yrs old (company was founded in Rockford IL in 1926) and the quality is unmatched.For daily use I have 2 of their 22 & 28 oz framing hammers with the blue nylon grips.I dont believe they offer the leather -wraps on entire product line anymore.

Received an Estwing hatchet for X-mas last year.

 

[trailmaker]

I just went out and checked the end of the handle. Bingo. The oval tag says "Estwing," Rockford IL! Never noticed that tag before. Wonder how old this thing is and what it might be worth....

That's an Estwing "Fireside Friend". I have a newer version with a rubber wrap on the handle. Great for re-splitting and tapping in wedges.

 

[trailmaker]

6 lb maul is at the "sweet spot" for me- easy to impart much more energy to it than to an 8 lb.

Too bad the metallurgy of so many is crap. Soft mild steel is much too easily deformed, IMHO. Then you have the opposite extreme, apparently, where the Fiskars tools lose their edge in brittle chunks.

(That's why I'm waiting on 3 kg Austrian forging.)

Tell us about this Austrian job. Is it made by Mueller?

 

[Battleaxe]

Anybody tried both the Estwing Fireside Friend and the Fiskars X11? Which do you prefer?