How are you guys splitting your wood? Hydraulic? Maul? Axe? Chainsaw? Dynamite?
I've split with a maul, wedge, axe, hydraulic splitter - and while they all work in their own way, none of them has made it feel any less than just plain work. Cutting with a saw is just enjoyable to me, but splitting has always been a chore no matter what. I tried out a buddy's Fiskars X27 yesterday, and I was pretty amazed. Granted I was only going through red oak with it, but with far less than a half effort swing, 14-16" rounds cut 16-18" long were just blowing apart. Single handed whacks would finish the rest of the splitting with ease, and far faster than any hydraulic splitter I've used. I was impressed to say the least.
Now for other types of wood this may be a whole different story. Stuff with some curly grain, knots, etc. may give it a hard time, but most of what I'd be cutting for firewood would be similar to this oak and maybe some seemingly branchless maple. I could see dropping $50 on one of these rather than spending the coin on a decent splitter.
I've split with a maul, wedge, axe, hydraulic splitter - and while they all work in their own way, none of them has made it feel any less than just plain work. Cutting with a saw is just enjoyable to me, but splitting has always been a chore no matter what. I tried out a buddy's Fiskars X27 yesterday, and I was pretty amazed. Granted I was only going through red oak with it, but with far less than a half effort swing, 14-16" rounds cut 16-18" long were just blowing apart. Single handed whacks would finish the rest of the splitting with ease, and far faster than any hydraulic splitter I've used. I was impressed to say the least.
Now for other types of wood this may be a whole different story. Stuff with some curly grain, knots, etc. may give it a hard time, but most of what I'd be cutting for firewood would be similar to this oak and maybe some seemingly branchless maple. I could see dropping $50 on one of these rather than spending the coin on a decent splitter.