Axes and associated items

[Catbuster]

Prandi makes a maul that has a very similar head geometry and is finished similarly. I don’t think that shape is exclusive to Ochsenkopf.

 

[davidwyby]

Yes, I think it’s German style

 

[davidwyby]

A lot pf people say this is a good one. Adler super splitter. Similar to Helko. I'm not convinced enough to spend the $ yet. I think It's The same geometry just lightened up. My preferred geometry is rounded convex high centerline cheeks, AKA "Wood Bullet'.

Super Splitter Maul

The 31" oiled Red Steel with an American Hickory handle of this splitting maul has an extra thick neck and red steel safety collar to resist shock and damage to the handle. The head of the Super Splitter Maul weighs over 6 lbs, with a broad, arrow-shaped head whose shoulders widen and then taper...

garrettwade.com

 

[larasea]

Picked up a Fiskars X25 to do some hand splitting. I'm liking. It's light for my 72 year old body.

 

[Sloughfoot]

Picked up a Fiskars X25 to do some hand splitting. I'm liking. It's light for my 72 year old body.

They sell the heck out of those around here. The little local grocery store stocks them all winter.
Wish there was a way to get a single bit handle in one.

 

[Catbuster]

Right now my favorite splitter is the Stihl Pro splitting axe. I have the old style Council 8 pound maul for getting larger rounds opened up, and an old(er) Ludell with the sledge eye that I need to rehandle.

The rest of my axes, albeit I don’t have many compared to some of you guys, are choppers, or really more like wedge (or Halligan for one) beaters that I’ve kept a thin bit on for chopping myself out of a bind or delimbing.

 

[davidwyby]

The 8lb is a blast

The 5 (red) is thin and flat and sticky, tiring

The 4 is more convex and works better

 

[Sloughfoot]

Is that the Council forced entry fire axe?

 

[davidwyby]

Is that the Council forced entry fire axe?

Yes

One swing limber

And better splitter than they say

 

[davidwyby]

Or maybe it’s because that wood was green so less sticky than dry euc

 

[Catbuster]

Or maybe it’s because that wood was green so less sticky than dry euc

I didn’t try too much, but it wasn’t that great on some red oak I tried splitting a couple of weeks ago.

Old No. 7 though… Wowza. What a great maul.

That FE8 swings a lot better than a Fire Hooks Unlimited 8 pounder, though. What a Halligan tool driver. And it’s too big to fit into even the biggest scabbard Grizzly Peak makes, even if I bet it’s more of a wedge annihilator than an effective driver.

 

[Sloughfoot]

I've been having a hard time convincing myself I don't need an Ol No 7.

 

[davidwyby]

I agree the 7 is great. I need to test more but the Stihl 8lb may be the best for tough stuff - steel protective sleeve bonus.

Their splitting axe which I think is the 5lb Ochsenkopf might be a good wedge driver with it's protective sleeve as well. Roll of the dice if you get good handle grain though.

@chiselbit @BIGTWIG

 

[jacktheripper]

I agree the 7 is great. I need to test more but the Stihl 8lb may be the best for tough stuff - steel protective sleeve bonus.

Their splitting axe which I think is the 5lb Ochsenkopf might be a good wedge driver with it's protective sleeve as well. Roll of the dice if you get good handle grain though.

@chiselbit @BIGTWIG

I have the lighter Stihl pro forestry axe, and I use it for splitting most of the Pine and Russian Olive that I burn. I also use it for driving wedges. The handle protector adds some decent weight, maybe 10-12oz? I love how flickable it is. They can be found at my local Ace Hardware for only $40. I think they must have mislabeled them.

 

[hacskaroly]

I have the lighter Stihl pro forestry axe

That is a really nice looking Homelite!! HK BC oil FTW!!

 

[hacskaroly]

Is that a stolen cat converter?

Not sure what you mean?

 

[Sloughfoot]

Not sure what you mean?

 

[chiselbit]

@davidwyby what is the name of that ax handle place that sells the 32” handles like Piper has on that ax you sold her?

 

[hacskaroly]

Haha, I didn't even see that, too focused on the chainsaw!!

 

[Catbuster]

I've been having a hard time convincing myself I don't need an Ol No 7.

I thought I had convinced myself the same thing, then I saw the price and the loose head of my big maul…

I agree the 7 is great. I need to test more but the Stihl 8lb may be the best for tough stuff - steel protective sleeve bonus.

Their splitting axe which I think is the 5lb Ochsenkopf might be a good wedge driver with it's protective sleeve as well. Roll of the dice if you get good handle grain though.

@chiselbit @BIGTWIG

The Stihl splitting axe makes for a decent wedge driver because of its weight. The balance bit to poll is good, the same way the Council forcible entry axes are, too. I don’t particularly care for the handle shape to swing to the poll.