Splitting mauls
Splitting mauls
EXPERT KNOWLEDGE SPLITTING HAMMERS
Which splitting hammer to buy?
It is also advisable to pay attention to the quality of splitting tools, because ultimately the hammer has to withstand a lot of strain when splitting many solid metres of firewood. You should therefore pay attention to three points when buying a splitting hammer: the material and balance of the axe head and the attachment of the handle. The splitting hammers we offer are hand-forged from high-quality steel (carbon steel).
The Weight of the axe head and the Shape and Length of the handle are balanced for efficient wood splitting or blows from top to bottom. The handles are pressed into the eye/eye and secured by a wooden wedge and at least one metal wedge.
What is the wedge angle of a splitting hammer?
When a wedge penetrates a piece of wood, the following always happens: the (impact) force is dissipated outwards and splits the wood. Up to a certain point, a large wedge angle has a greater splitting effect than a small wedge angle. It also protects the blade better against chipping. For this reason, the cutting edges of splitting hammers and splitting axes have a large wedge angle.
- Axes for delimbing: very acute wedge angle of approx. 10°
- Felling axe/universal axe: acute wedge angle of approx. 15°
- Splitting axes and hatchets: large wedge angle of approx. 25° to 30°
Despite their large wedge angle, splitting hammers and axes also need to be sharpened regularly. A sharp cutting edge makes it easier to penetrate the wood and saves strength when splitting.
What is the difference between splitting hammers and axes?
The differences between a splitting hammer and a splitting axe are small but decisive: in terms of their version and head weight, splitting hammers are even more massive than splitting axes. In addition, a hammer has a track or striking surface (also known as a "neck") on the back of its axe head opposite the axe blade, which you can use to drive in splitting wedges. This allows you to safely split whole logs and round timber with a large diameter. A splitting axe is not suitable for driving wedges. The Material cross-section between the striking surface and the eye is too small with these axes. In the long term, splitting axes used in this way will result in deformation or cracks in the axe head.
What shape should the wooden handle have?
It is important that the wood fibres run through the entire length of the handle. Wood fibres running at an angle through the axe handle are a weak point and the handle will eventually break at this point. Axe handles should be made in such a way that they fit comfortably in the hand and are easy to aim. This is particularly important when splitting wood. Splitting hammers therefore have a straight handle. Hickory, ash and robinia have proven to be good materials. These woods are both elastic and robust. To protect the axe handles against moisture, they are treated with linseed oil or Urushi. Most splitting hammers have a forged iron sleeve under the head, which protects the handle from breakage in the event of a miss.
Tips for chopping wood
- Keep your distance from other people.
- Use a wide, heavy chopping block that is stable and about knee height. Oak wood has proven to be the most durable wood.
- Place the piece of wood on the back of the chopping block so that the axe hits the chopping block and not the ground if you miss.
- Hold the axe at the end of the handle when chopping. This optimises the use of your strength.
- The axe handle should be as horizontal as possible when it hits the ground, with your arms almost straight.
- It is usually easier to split a piece of wood from the thin end.
- The axe must be particularly sharp for overgrown or knotty wood.
- To make splitting easier, always try to hit the centre of the piece of wood (the pith), as well as any knots.
- If a piece of wood does not split on the first cut and the blade sticks, you can hit the axe with the neck on the stick.
- Particularly large and overgrown pieces of wood can be split using wedges. It is best to use two wedges, one of which you drive in at the edge to create a gap. The second wedge should be driven into the same gap, further towards the centre. Drive both wedges deeper alternately.
Our single handle service
Got to tools with a single-handle pass will be fitted once free of charge. This means that we keep the right replacement handle for this axe in stock and our service staff will professionally replace a defective handle. You only pay the cost of the replacement handle and the postage for shipping.
