With the many options in the market, you might be wondering what the best splitting maul is. What do you look for to find the best one?
There are a lot of factors to consider, but we’ll walk you through them thorough as we can. Then, in the end, we will give a review of some of the best ones there is.
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**Below, you’ll find our more detailed reviews, but you can also click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.
What is a splitting maul?
A splitting maul is a tool used to split large pieces of wood into smaller pieces. It’s also known as a sledge ax or a block buster and is often confused with an ax.
Though you can also use an ax to do the same job, a maul is heavier and has a wider head that splits the wood easier.
Mauls usually weigh around 8 pounds. Some mauls are lighter which you can use for smaller chunks of wood, but 8 lbs is the typical weight.
A splitting maul also has a longer handle than an ax. The average length is 36, but you can find something a bit shorter. The long handle helps you maximize your swing for a stronger impact.
Why use a maul instead of an ax?
You can use an ax if you like. In fact, many people prefer axes over mauls. They both do the job of splitting wood. As mentioned earlier, a maul is heavier and usually longer than an ax.
Between the two, a maul is ideal for large pieces of wood. The heavier head gives more power and a stronger impact, making the splitting job faster. However, a maul requires more effort.
Depending on your fitness level, it could tire you quickly. For smaller chunks of wood or for splitting edges, an ax is ideal. It’s lighter than a maul and also easier to swing.
What to consider when buying a splitting maul
The handle
One of the important things to consider when buying a splitting maul is the handle. They can be made of fiberglass, wood, or another composite. Wood is usually more comfortable to hold, but fiberglass is lighter and more durable.
Fiberglass doesn’t crumble to environmental factors, and it also keeps a better grip when wet.
Many manufacturers also say that their composites are designed with anti-shock properties. This prevents any wrist pain or injuries. However, old school users would argue that wood has been used for centuries because it’s something that works.
Whatever the material is made of, make sure it has a non-slip grip, and comfortable for you. However, the ultimate choice is based on your personal preference.
The Head
The head is another crucial factor to consider, particularly the weight of the head. The heavier it is, the more force you can bring down on the wood. The more force you can bring down, the faster your work will be.
On the other hand, you will be swinging extra weight so you might get tired faster. You can opt for a lighter head if you prefer.
You should also check how the head is connected to the handle. Make sure that the socket is durable. Read what others have to say about the design to see if there are any flaws or weaknesses.
Balance
When buying a splitting maul, make sure there is a good balance between the weight of the head and the length of the handle.
This is so the tool will not be too difficult to lift and swing. A well-balanced splitting maul will also give more power to each swing.
Tips on Using a Splitting Maul
Using a splitting maul is not exactly the safest thing to do, especially because it’s such a heavy and bulky tool. Here are some safety tips on using a splitting maul:
- Wear proper clothing. Snug fit clothes, protective glasses or goggles, and sturdy shoes are ideal. Splinters can fly out and possibly hit you. If possible, wear steel toed shoes. You can also use work gloves to protect your hands from splinters and to give you a good grip on the handle.
- Do not attempt to split wood if you are not well-rested, alert, or drunk.
- Use a large stump of wood or a chopping block as a base.The stump will prevent the maul from going beyond and hitting your foot, leg, or a rock on the ground.
- Use the crack on a piece of wood as your starting point, so it’ll be easier to split. If it doesn’t have a crack yet, aim for the center.
- If the wood has a knot, use another end that doesn’t have a one.
- Fresh wood is easier to cut than dry wood, so you split wood as soon as you get them from a fallen tree. It will also dry faster if the wood is already cut into smaller pieces.
Top 5 Splitting Mauls Review
1.Fiskars Iso Core 8 lb Maul, 36 Inch
Via Amazon.com
Fiskars is a Finnish company that has become one of the best manufacturers of mauls and axes around the world.
You know they’re a great brand when the customer ratings get over 90 percent five stars. What more is that they back their product up with a full lifetime warranty.
The Fiskar Iso Core 8 pound is one of the bestsellers in its category and for excellent reasons. The weight distribution, blade geometry, and handle quality and length are designed to split wood with ease.
It features the Isocore shock control system that absorbs shock and vibration, reducing the beating on your hands and body. The maul is made of hardened, forged steel while the handle is a composite material.
Check The Latest Price on Amazon!
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2.Gransfors Bruks Splitting Maul
Via Amazon.com
Gransfors Bruks is a Swedish brand boasts of the craftsmanship that is put into each maul. This is probably why their splitting maul is one of the most expensive mauls in the market.
It comes with a 5.5-pound head, 2.5-inch face, and a 31-inch hickory handle. This is suitable for smaller users or those who are still new to splitting wood. It’s also useful for cutting thick and large pieces of wood.
The balance this maul offers is top notch. It has a total weight of 7.3 pounds, with the maul being at 5.5, giving each swing a lot of power.
The steel quality is also excellent. It has a curved blade, which is thinner than most splitting mauls. At over 200 bucks, you will also get a leather sheath and 20-year warranty.
Check The Latest Price on Amazon!
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3.Helko Vario 2000 Heavy Log Splitter
Via Amazon.com
Back in 1844, a German family started the Helko enterprise. They focused on crafting woodworking tools. Their top quality tools were so good that they began exporting all over the world by the early 20th century.
The Vairo 2000 is a 36-inch maul with a 6.7-pound head and a total weight of 8.5 pounds. This ratio allows for a smooth and powerful swing.
The Vario 2000 also features Helko’s patented screw system, which allows you to change the blades or handles easily. You can choose to upgrade to a composite handle if you like.
The head is made of a German C50 high-grade carbon steel, while the handle is grade A American hickory. The handle has a curved design to improve balance. This splitting haul comes with a sheath and 1-ounce bottle of Axe Guard protective oil.
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4.Estwing E3-FF4 4-Pound “Fireside Friend” Wood Splitting Axe/Maul with Shock Reduction Grip
Via Amazon.com
The Estwing Splitting Maul is an excellent choice for splitting small to medium logs. It’s a single piece forged steel that is 14-inch length and weighs 4 pounds. It comes with a shock reduction grip.
Its weight is both a good and bad, depending on how you will use it. It’s light, so it’s not difficult to handle. On the other hand, it doesn’t give as much power as a heavier head does.
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5.Truper 30958 8-Pound Splitting Maul
Via Amazon.com
The Truper Splitting Maul falls on number four of the best for being inexpensive but reliable. It’s 36 inches long and 11.5 pounds heavy, with a head that weighs 8 lbs. The ratio allows for a powerful swing and impact.
The 8-pound head is made of high-quality steel while the handle is made of heavy duty fiberglass. It has a rubber grip for better grip and control. The rubber also absorbs overstrike impacts, so your hands are body are protected from beating.
Check The Latest Price on Amazon!
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Bottom Line
Choosing the best splitting maul requires more thought than you know. You have to consider a few factors to find the best quality.
The main things to consider are the handle, the head, and the balance. In addition to these factors, you also have to consider what type of wood you will be splitting and who will be splitting.
The best splitting maul for me would have to be the Fiskar Iso Core 8 pound maul. It hits most of the things a great maul should have at a very affordable cost. The Gransors Bruks is also very great. However, it’s very expensive.
Everyone has different preferences, and different ones work for different people. That said, only you can truly decide what’s best for you. Just keep in mind that different factors to help you do find it.