Log Splitting Axe

[nick]

Hi All

I have been looking for a decent axe for a while now and came across the Fiskars axe range

I initially thought about an X25, but after reading some of the comments about the length of the shaft bringing your feet and lower legs into range, I found the X27 which has a much longer shaft

They do not appear to sell the X27 in the UK, but I found one on Amazon that came from Germany.

So, after a short wait, it arrived..

I find it splits logs just as easily as it shows on the You Tube videos.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGx2rBeV6LQ

I split a small load of fresh alder logs that I was given in quick time, and followed that with some hardwood logs that had been stored in greenhouse for a year or more

I have now also purchased an X11 for taking care of the smaller stuff, and it works just as well as the X27

A couple of tips have come from watching the You Tube videos

Firstly, an elastic bungee round the log saves a lot of bending down picking up the pieces to chop again

Secondly, a tyre fixed around the top of the chopping block will save some nasty injuries if you miss the log you are chopping (it happens) it is also another way of retaining the split wood

www.youtube.com/watch?v=zt2wHTww38U

All good exercise, and yes I do need some.................. ;D

Cheers

Nick

Attachments:

[faz]

If you're on a budget, Aldi have a log splitting axe in stock at the moment, on one of their specials.

www.aldi.co.uk/uk/html/offers/special_buys3_20744.htm

[nick]

Hi Faz

Great if you are on a budget

but if you can afford it.................

The head weight of the Fiskars is half that of most splitting axes, and that is one of the main concerns when you have a bad back................. or you have never tried swinging a 8 or 10lb sledge hammer before - it ain't easy

I was not even out of breath after doing my smallish pile of logs, and felt I could have done lots more, I have worked with sledges a lot in my life and I always used the smallest one that done the job with the least effort

Cheers All

Nick

[dougclay]

I would have gone for the cheapo maul from Aldi. probably gone now as this was last weeks offer.
I recently got a log grenade and a new handle for the 10lb sledge hammer. The sledge hammer is a bit of overkill and I mostly use an old leather faced Thor hammer.
Unlike these utube vids, I hardly ever have super dry, super straight grain logs to split. With even the slightest knot a maul (even the expensive, "designer" ones) will get stuck and will need many accurate blows in the same spot, or help from a hammer on the back face. The grenade is very good for forcing through knotty bits...
For any straight grained bits I do have to split, once the log is halved or quartered, I can usually do the rest with a single blow of my hatchet...

[muddy4x4]

I love my Gransfors axes, last a lifetime ! They feel just right in your hand !

www.gransfors.com/htm_eng/produkter/new_prod/p_storklyvyxa.html

[Fat Bob]

I am avoiding Aldi at the moment - I went in last week and there were five traveller women - one in a pink tracksuit had a small handbag-sized dog under her arm.

At the far end of the shop by a frezer was a a small well formed dog turd with another that someone had walked in.

At the checkout I quietly informed the checkout girl.

She had not been to customer relations school - she immediately left the till and went straight to the women and said this man says your dog has pooped.

I don't get embarassed easily - but I was in deep now - the women denied the deed and demanded to know where the faeces were.

So in a shop full of people I had to take the cashier and the five traveller women to the miniature poops.

They denied it was dog poo and said it was mud.

I replied that if it smells like dog poo and looks like dog poo it usually is.

But if you and the cashier think it's mud it is not my problem.

We paid and whilst leaving the car park a white van pulled in with three men.

The Mrs says they've been on the moby you are a wanted man now.

I will have to put false plates on the car and use a disguise if I go back.

The joys of rural France....

[petec]

Bob,
understand your feelings - but thats a funny story. ;D

get the Aldi splitting axe and keep it with you in the car if you go back

Pete

[Fat Bob]

I don't need weapons I have wit and my size, the Mrs and a crazy Belgian shepherd dog. If I really need security Big Dave will make the visit to Aldi too.

[nick]

Hi Bob

You have my sympathies

Not a lot I can say about that, well, not that could be printed

Lets just hope that they move on.............soon

Cheers

Nick