Splitting tools, axes & wedges
Splitting tools, axes & wedges
EXPERT KNOWLEDGE SPLITTING TOOLS / AXES / WEDGES
Which splitting tool to buy?
When splitting wood, there are optimised splitting tools for different tasks. The decisive factor is the size of the pieces of wood you want to split. If you need to split whole pieces of logs, you will need a splitting axe, and a splitting hammer for larger diameters. If you want to turn logs into smaller firewood or kindling, a splitting axe or manual log splitter will suffice. Furthermore, the place where you want to split and the extended intended use is an important factor in deciding on the type of splitting tool. If cut-to-length logs are to be split directly at the felling site, a splitting hammer or a splitting axe is suitable. These axes have a handle length that makes it possible to split log sections on the ground in a standing position. Splitting wedges or splitting wedges can also be driven in with a splitting hammer. Due to its shorter handle length, the splitting axe can also be taken on camping trips in a motorhome. The Kindling Cracker (a manual wood splitter) is best used fixed to a chopping block.
Which is better: splitting hammer, splitting axe or splitting axe?
Weight and Total length of the axe are decisive when chopping firewood. Splitting hammers have a solid head weighing up to 2.5 kg and a long, straight handle (usually made of ash or hickory) with a Total length of approx. 800 mm. This allows you to strike hard and reliably split even larger diameters. You can also use its striking head to drive in splitting wedges. Splitting axes are somewhat lighter. Straight handles make them easier to hit and their head weight is between 1 and 2 kg. A splitting axe with a head weight of approx. 1 kg and a Total length of 500 mm is used for splitting smaller logs (branches) and for splitting logs further.
Alternatives to the splitting axe
If you find splitting with an axe too dangerous or you mainly want to make kindling, a manual log splitter or a so-called "Kindling Cracker" are possible alternative splitting tools. Got to tools like these, the wood is placed on the upright cutting edge and hit onto the wedge with a hammer or log.
Splitting wedges are not a real alternative to splitting axes. They are mainly used for splitting larger or longer log cross-sections.
Differences between DIY store goods and a hand-forged axe
An axe from the DIY store usually consists of a drop-forged head. This is "pressed" once or several times into a mould - the die. Easy-to-process steels are used for this, which only have a low hardness after heat treatment. The handles are usually painted in colour. The painted surface is unpleasant to grip during Lengthy use and does not absorb hand perspiration. Of course, this axe is also a splitting tool, but will it be a lifelong companion and is it therefore a sustainable purchase?
With a hand-forged axe, the steel structure is compacted through several forging passes and therefore has a high hardness. The sharpenability is also improved by the forming processes. The blacksmith or manufacturer of a hand-forged splitting tool also attaches similar importance to the handle. Suitable handle materials such as hickory or robinia are used and the handle is given an open-pore surface treatment.
