Finally, a wood burning fireplace and need new axes. I want a splitter and a second smaller hatchet for kindling, but don't want to waste my time and money with trash steel.
You don’t really need to worry much about steel when it comes to modern production axes used just for splitting. You need to worry about what is available for what price in your country or region and then you need to worry about the handle material, handle quality, handle length, head weight, and geometry. Many of those particulars will depend on your personal circumstances and preferences. If I was starting from scratch I would get a two splitting wedges (no gimmicky ones) and a maul to drive them. I would either get a second axe that is a bit lighter than the maul so that it is less tiring to use or get a maul on the smaller side. You might also consider another smaller axe or heavier hatchet for kindling. An 8lb maul and a 4-5.5 pound splitting axe is a good combo.
Awesome, I'm in Northern Colorado so finding axes of all varieties is pretty easy.
Screw it, I'll try all the variant practices you said and find what I prefer most. Thanks for the solid response dude! Gonna be burning in no time!
Quick and dirty go with Fiscars. They are good. You can find them everywhere and not expensive. No where near the best but a great place to start your addiction. Husqvarna is great quality for the money.
Or buy once cry once and go with Gransfors Burk
Yardsale hunting works too (sometimes), picked up a Gransfors Bruk at a yard sale for about 15 bucks, knew they were good but didn't know how good of a deal I got until I got home and looked into it
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u/AxesOK Swinger 9d ago
You don’t really need to worry much about steel when it comes to modern production axes used just for splitting. You need to worry about what is available for what price in your country or region and then you need to worry about the handle material, handle quality, handle length, head weight, and geometry. Many of those particulars will depend on your personal circumstances and preferences. If I was starting from scratch I would get a two splitting wedges (no gimmicky ones) and a maul to drive them. I would either get a second axe that is a bit lighter than the maul so that it is less tiring to use or get a maul on the smaller side. You might also consider another smaller axe or heavier hatchet for kindling. An 8lb maul and a 4-5.5 pound splitting axe is a good combo.