what kind of axe for splitting?

[01crewcab]

I have an 8lb maul, single bit axe, double bit axe, steel wedges, and a log splitter. Guess which one gets used the most ;D

[Okrafarmer]

I split some short firewood (12-16") today with the 8-pounder. Nothing to it.

[neslrite]

Carl Neutzel Services sells Axe, http://carlneutzel.com/gransfors.html they are hand made in Sweden and of very high quality. I own the spitting axe that works very well.
Kevin

[northwoods1]

The Gransfors Bruks axes are nice I have had several different ones for many years. One is a straight bladed hewing axe, another one they call there hunters axe, and a medium sized single bit that weighs about #2 1/2 that I like to carry when I am cruising. Don't have one for splitting though for that I just grab one of the dozens of heavy single bits stacked in the corner of my saw shop I think rite now I have been using and old embossed Keen Kutter that has s nice old handle. But thats just for kindling and kind of serious hand splitting requires a mall and occasionally I'll use the mall instead of the hydraulic splitter if the wood is straight grained as the mall is faster. Keeps a guy in shape too I kind of like going out and splitting a little wood. It don't take long to figure out how to split or a person will just wear themselves out if they don't let the tool do the work. I have a blacksmith shop and have been doing that kind of work for a number of years, a person will wear themselves out in no time if they don't let the weight of the tool there swinging do the work it is just like one of the other guys said, your grip on the tool handle should be loose your only directing the head to point of impact.

[StephenRice]

I never could use one of them splitting mauls. I have a 2 1/2 lbs spliting axe that I used. I am one that always had a twist at the end of my swing to help split and not get the axe caught in the block .. that technique don't work with a maul  :  What ever was not split with the axe was cut with the chainsaw .
  Now I have a hydraulique splitter, works for me  ;D

That twist works great for a lot of woods, but there are a lot that it just does not want to work well with.  We have a bunch of twisted grain red oak down here that just is a bit too tough for an axe.  To be honest, it is a bit too much for a maul as well.  It is pretty much a log splitter job.

I used to split with a 16 lb. Monster Maul when I was young.  I graduated to an axe with a twist many years ago.  The Monster Maul would kill me now.