what is a maul axe used for

What is the difference between a maul and an axe?

The wedge section of a maul head must be slightly convex to avoid jamming and it cannot have the elongated "hollow ground" concave-section that a cutting axe may use. Unlike an axe, maul handles are normally straight and closer to round than the elongated oval axe handles tend to be.

What is a maul used for?

The original maul resembles an axe but with a broader head. For splitting wood, this tool is much better than a typical axe. The weight of it is more advantageous, and it is less likely to become stuck in the wood thanks to its width.

How does an axe work?

The axe is designed to cut its way across wood fibers. In a single swing of the axe, the sharp bit slices into the wood, followed by the thin blade slipping in to cut deeply across the fibers, followed by the eye of the axe head – the fat part surrounding the handle – separating the wood and popping out the resulting wood chip.

What is a maul used for splitting wood?

The hammer side of the maul is often used in wood splitting when combined with a splitting wedge, driving the wedge into the wood in the same fashion as the maul itself. This is generally used when attempting to split logs with a large diameter.

Is a maul better than an axe?

When working with large pieces of wood, a maul would be better than an axe. This is due to the fact that you will be able to split quicker, but you have to consider that you will tire faster because of the weight of the splitting maul.

What's the difference between a maul and axe?

The main difference between a splitting axe and a splitting maul is that an axe is lighter, has a sharp cutting edge, and a shorter handle. A maul has a blunt, hammer like edge that is used to force cut wood open or used with a wedge.

Is a maul good for splitting wood?

A 4-pound maul is a good option for splitting smaller lumber for a backyard fire pit or a camping trip, while a 12-pound maul is suitable for splitting large logs. An 8-pound maul is capable of splitting a good-sized log while remaining light enough for most people.

Can you cut down a tree with a splitting maul?

But a 6-pound splitting maul can be just as handy to gently drive the wedge into the tree and keep it from pinching your saw. One can also, in certain circumstances and with a longer wedge, slightly force a tree in the direction it may not want to fall.

What is better for splitting wood axe or maul?

For smaller pieces of wood, or splitting around the wood's edges, a splitting axe is the better choice. It's lighter, easier to swing and performs similarly to a splitting maul. The wood-cutting pros at Husqvarna recommend you have both, as together they form an excellent one-two punch for your wood splitting needs.

What size axe do I need to split wood?

Standard splitting axes come with heads that weigh between 3 and 6 pounds. Mauls, with sledgehammer-type heads, can weigh as much as 8 pounds. Unless the plan is to compete in wood-splitting competitions, it's usually best to go with an axe head that weighs 4 to 6 pounds.

What is the best thing to split wood on?

To the novice woodcutter, an ax may seem like the best choice of tool for splitting logs, but it's not. While it's great for chopping down trees and cutting smaller pieces of wood, the maul—with its wider head and heavier weight—is the expert's choice for splitting firewood.

What is the best tool to split wood?

Sledgehammer and wedge The wedge has a sharp point that can be pushed into the log, and the sledgehammer and drive the wedge further down, effectively splitting the wood.

Why is it called a splitting maul?

Now to the splitting maul, sometimes just called a maul, and occasionally called a “splitting axe” by old-timers. The maul has the opposite characteristics of the axe: it's blunt and fat. The maul is designed to divide a piece of wood in two by forcing the wood fibers apart parallel to the grain.

Should you split wood wet or dry?

Although you can split wood while it's still wet, it is best to let it dry first. The lower the moisture content of the wood, the easier it will be to split because it gives less resistance when it is dry. However, split wood will dry faster than whole logs. There is more to learn about splitting and storing firewood.

What is the best time to split wood?

The ideal time to cut firewood is in the late winter or early spring months. This allows for maximum drying time. Next, the shape: cut the ends of the logs as flat and square as possible so that they can stand sturdily for splitting. For this, we recommend the STIHL Pro Splitting Axe or STIHL Pro Splitting Maul.

How long should logs sit before splitting?

about six monthsThe most important rules for preparing good firewood are: Cut, split and stack the wood in the early spring and let it stand in the sun and wind until it is seasoned. For many people seasoning will take about six months. for others, it will be a full year, depending on climate and wood species.

Whats the difference between a splitting maul and a splitting axe?

0:3516:50Splitting Axe vs. Splitting Maul (Real World Testing and Review) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo let me kind of show you here so this is a traditional axe right this is your run-of-the-mill uhMoreSo let me kind of show you here so this is a traditional axe right this is your run-of-the-mill uh chop and axe you can see the bevels on it you know they fall real narrow taper it's made for chopping

What is a maul weapon?

Maul. A maul is a long-handled hammer with a heavy head, of wood, lead, or iron. Similar in appearance and function to a modern sledgehammer, it is sometimes shown as having a spear-like spike on the fore-end of the haft. The use of the maul as a weapon seems to date from the later 14th century.

What is the difference between a splitting axe and a chopping axe?

These splitting axes offer one-strike splits with each swing, so logs can be split with less time, effort and hand strain. Chopping wood consists of cutting horizontal logs into segments with several sharp, downward strokes of an axe.

What is a wood maul?

A splitting maul also known as a block buster, block splitter, chop and maul, sledge axe, go-devil or hamaxe is a heavy, long-handled axe used for splitting a piece of wood along its grain. One side of its head is like a sledgehammer, and the other side is like an axe.

What is the difference between a maul and an axe?

The maul has the opposite characteristics of the axe: it’s blunt and fat. The maul is designed to divide a piece of wood in two by forcing the wood fibers apart parallel to the grain. The dull edge exploits a crack between fibers, and the V-shaped head forces the crack apart with continuous pressure.

Why do mauls have shaped handles?

Usually because the maul handle has to be thicker and stronger it ends up being straight, the shaped handles are left to the cutting axes.

What kind of axe makes a ringing noise?

A nice Swedish built axe from quality steel and not overly thick and heavy will have a ringing noise when you tap it or snit it with your finger nail. A heavy axe or maul or one that has a less quality of steel vs iron will not have a ring to it.

What is a maul called?

Now to the splitting maul, sometimes just called a maul, and occasionally called a “splitting axe” by old-timers.

What are the characteristics of an axe?

Though it’s tempting to call any chunk of axe-like metal attached to a handle an “axe,” the true axe has two defining characteristics: it’s sharp and it’s thin. The axe is designed to cut its way across wood fibers.

Where does the swing of the maul occur?

The entire swing of the maul occurs in the center plane of the swinger’s body, where the strong muscles guide and contain the heavy weight. An axe, on the other hand, can be used anywhere from eye level for limbing a tree to ankle level if the tree is already down.

What is splitting maul?

A splitting maul is essentially a type of an axe that cuts logs along the grain (the inside of the tree). An axe such as felling axe or camp axe cuts logs against the grain (cutting into the bark). Angela. “.

What is a maul handle?

Unlike an axe, maul handles are normally straight and closer to round than the elongated oval axe handles tend to be. A maul's handle, unlike an axe, is intentionally used for levering as well as swinging. The handles are typically made from hickory, though synthetic fibreglass handles have become common.

What is the name of the axe used to split wood?

Sledgehammer. Axe. War hammer. A splitting maul also known as a block buster, block splitter, chop and maul, sledge axe, go-devil or hamaxe is a heavy, long-handled axe used for splitting a piece of wood along its grain. One side of its head is like a sledgehammer, and the other side is like an axe.

How much does a maul weigh?

Wedged mauls. A typical wood splitting maul has a head weight of 6 to 8 lb or approximately 2.7 to 3.6 kg, respectively. Traditionally, mauls have a wedge -shaped head, but some modern versions have conical heads or swiveling sub-wedges. The original maul resembles an axe but with a broader head.

What happens if a maul lands in front of a log?

If the maul lands in front of the log, it may hit the feet of the splitter if they are in a closed stance. If the maul hits the side of the log without biting in, the maul commonly will bounce to one side and to the ground.

What is a monster maul?

In the early 1970s a triangular head design with an unbreakable metal handle was introduced called the "Monster Maul.".

Can a splitter raise his maul?

In this situation, even a widened stance may still leave the splitter's feet vulnerable. When performing the "full-lift" chop described above, the splitter must never raise the maul and log above his head. Generally speaking, a maul should never swing to the side.

How to put a pin in a maul?

Placing a pin involves drilling a small diameter hole through the side of the maul, into and through the handle, and usually out the other side. A small, flush, or counter-sunk pin of aluminum or similar material should be placed through the head and secured.

Axe and Maul

Both an axe and a maul are two axe types used to chop (or split) wood. Most axes intended for splitting wood have a more wedge like shape. Axes intended to split wood that feature a more wedge like bit are known as splitting axes ( Klyvyxa).

Mauls Have a Sledge Hammer

A maul is two tools in one, a splitting axe on one side and a sledge hammer on the other.

What is the difference between a maul and a felling axe?

Finally, another notable difference between mauls, splitting axes, and felling axes is the handle design. Mauls tend to have a slightly longer handle, that is straight and round shaped. Axes tend to use more oval-shaped handles, and felling axes also have curved handles.

What is the difference between a splitting axe and a maul?

What is the difference between a splitting axe and a splitting maul? The main difference between a splitting axe and a maul is the weight of the head, which is typically 3-6 lbs for a splitting axe, and 6-8 lbs for a maul. Splitting axes are sometimes confused with felling axes, which are designed for cutting across the grain of wood, ...

How much does a splitting maul weigh?

And an average splitting maul head will weigh 6-8 pounds. If you compare the head of a splitting maul with a felling axe, the weight difference can be even larger, because felling axe heads tend to be flatter and lighter.

What is a splitting axe?

Splitting Axe. For all practical purposes, a splitting axe is a slightly lighter and slightly smaller version of a splitting maul. If you compare a splitting axe and a maul side-by-side, you’d see that the splitting axe has a slightly smaller (less sledgehammer shaped) head. You’d also notice that the handle on a splitting axe is ...

What is the job of a felling axe?

Another way to think about this is that felling axes are used for the type of work, that creates woodchips as a byproduct.

Why is it important to use a felling axe?

side-to-side, up-and-down, diagonal, etc.). As a result, it’s important for felling axes to be easy to grip and handle.

Is a maul a hammer?

In fact, a splitting maul is technically considered a hammer by some definitions, and not an axe at all.

Splitting Axe Overview

The splitting axe works by placing the piece of wood you desire to split, sometimes referred to as the ‘round’, on a flat, solid surface. The round should be standing on one of the ends. Make sure it is as close to perpendicular as possible for the best chance of splitting the wood evenly.

Splitting Maul Overview

The splitting maul is used in much the same way as the splitting axe. A round is placed on a flat, solid surface. The maul, because of its weight, must be firmly gripped with two hands as it is raised overhead and swung back down onto the end of the round.

Using the Splitting Tools

When using either of the splitting tools be sure to wear protective eyewear and make sure you have plenty of room to swing your axe or maul. Be sure to keep others away from the area where you are working.

Similarities & Differences

The splitting axe and splitting maul share only a few differences between them. The axe is smaller and easier to handle for a longer period of time. The maul, on the other hand, is heavier and requires more strength to swing. Each will split your wood, but the time and effort to do so will vary depending on the tool you choose.

Conclusion

Choosing between the splitting axe vs. the maul comes down to personal preference and the tool you feel most comfortable with. It is never a good idea to use a tool you are not capable or confident in using. This can lead to injury.

Axe

Maul

Handle of Axe vs Maul

When to Use An Axe Or A Maul?

• A maul is the bigger version of an axe, however, different from an “axe” in terms of appearance and characteristics. So, it is used for splitting bigger blocks of wood or lumber. The heavy weight of the maul adds extra power to the wood splitting efficiency of the user. This indirectly speeds up the work to be completed within less time than requir...

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