Best splitting axe / maul

[TxAgHntr]

Need to split quite a bit of live oak. Looking for a good splitting maul. What does the brain trust recommend? Budget around $50.

[gonehuntin]

Fiskars X27 best affordable splitter around for the money.

[RifleBowPistol]

I just went to Tractor supply, two weeks ago, needing a splitting wedge. Most of what they had that was cheap, was crap. The only ones I liked the look of were two Fiskars splitting wedges. I don't know what model I got, I know I got the one with the thinner blade, that comes with a cover for the blade or wedge. That thing goes through hickory like a hot knife through butter. The only wood I have ever split in my life was live oak, with a old single bladed ax, half the time I would need to come back with a sledge and drive the ax through the log. Basing things off of that experience, I figured the wedge with the thinner blade would sink deeper, so it would be less likely to go flying off the load, when I hit it with a sledge. I got a big surprise, no sledge needed, actually very little effort needed. Just a casual swing and that dang splitting wedge splits the logs in half and sends pieces flying left and right, like I was swinging with everything I had. I have been very impressed, much better than the old single bladed ax I used to use as a kid.

Also both Fiskars splitting wedges are the same price. The other wedge is obviously much heavier and much greater angle to the wedge, so it should do a good job of splitting the log. I did not choose it, because I figured with the extreme angle of the wedge it would not sink very deep in a log and likely not burry deep enough to stay put when I went to hit it with a sledge. But after using the one I got, I don't think you would ever need a sledge with either of the Fiskars splitting wedges, unless you were splitting petrified live oak, like we used to have when I was growing up.

[S-3 Ranch]

Chopper 1 https://chopper1axe.com/chopper1-axe
Unfortunately not in your budget
Fiskar with a rubber handle

[Kenner97]

I think mine is husky brand from Home Depot. It is a pretty heavy splitter, but works great on mesquite. Haven’t tried it on oak.

[Drycreek3189]

My old ones are rusty, my new one has a Honda engine on it. I used to like to hand split when I was young. It was a challenge and good exercise. Now, not so much !

[GreenZ]

Live oak would be frustrating to split by hand, and I don’t think you can do a lot at once. You can rent a hydraulic splitter for a little more money and have it done in a day and your body will thank you.

[TxAgHntr]

My old ones are rusty, my new one has a Honda engine on it. I used to like to hand split when I was young. It was a challenge and good exercise. Now, not so much !

Still considering my self young and definitely need the exercise...I have a hard time working out when the goal is to just work out...when there is a pile of wood, a stack of hay or bunch of holes or posts...I seem to be more willing to work out...lol

[Texas Grown]

Home Depot has one you can rent by the hour.

[rtjh]

Fiskar X27

[jeremy360]

Fiskars.

You can get a cheap one and spend lots of time repro reprofiling to get a narrow edge and they will work ok. I got a fiskars after breaking many handles...could feel them bow and flex when you hit the log...not misstrikes. I swing pretty hard.

Got a fiskars and really like it. So far so good.

[eradicator]

Fiskars X27 best affordable splitter around for the money.

Yep. End the thread. I split a lot of live oak with it as well.

[.243 WSSM]

I wasn't a believer until I bought the Fiskars. Used a heavier splitting axe before and couldn't believe how much easier and quicker the Fiskars is

[geezer56]

Monster maul. I have 2 of them. Eat your Wheaties, those things weigh 15 lbs. I have never hit but one block of wood that I couldn't handle with one. I've been using them for 35 years.