It actually holds up very well. It's made of high-grade aluminum and it's been hit with several different steel hammers. There are some minor dents in it, but it's very tough overall.
The Ochsenkopf "Big OX" Maul Review
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zogger
Tree Freak
Well, those spiral wedges look good. Looked them up, like around 50 bucks.
Seems like most anything from eurozone goes for big dineros. Always good quality, but never cheap.
Seems like most anything from eurozone goes for big dineros. Always good quality, but never cheap.
bert the turtle
ArboristSite Operative
They need to make a splitting wedge with a replaceable high molecular polyethylene head (fiskars used to make one with some kind if plastic head) so you can hit it without worry and you wouldn't need hearing protection to comfortably use it. Or reinvent technology from a hundred years ago and put a socket at the head of the wedge so it would accept a
Wooden striking surface. Then you could replace the wood as needed (not as often as one would imagine if my sources are telling the truth). I'd buy an antique one if I could find one. I suppose a wedge that would last forever and not need replaceable plastic parts would be bad for business.
The POS Indian wedges mushroom about as fast as they split. And of course I misplaced my grandfors in the move.
I've even considered making a big ol' Fred Flintstone maul with an elm head to drive wedges with. There just has to be something quieter, safer, and longer lasting than hard steel on soft steel.
Wooden striking surface. Then you could replace the wood as needed (not as often as one would imagine if my sources are telling the truth). I'd buy an antique one if I could find one. I suppose a wedge that would last forever and not need replaceable plastic parts would be bad for business.
The POS Indian wedges mushroom about as fast as they split. And of course I misplaced my grandfors in the move.
I've even considered making a big ol' Fred Flintstone maul with an elm head to drive wedges with. There just has to be something quieter, safer, and longer lasting than hard steel on soft steel.
The Indian wedges I got from HF are of much tougher (less malleable) steel than the Mexican ones labeled "Collins". Not "soft".
Absolutely no indication of a problem hitting them with Mueller, Wetterlings, or Bradlees-special mauls. Steel on steel. And I do HIT them as required. (And ... if you don't wear proper eye protection, you deserve whatever might happen.)
The whole idea of using aluminum or wood wedges or steel wedges with HDPE inserts to split wood is IMHO totally nuts.
Paranoia rules, as do lawyers. Taking one's gospel as published on a website, well ...bert the turtle
ArboristSite Operative
I'm glad to hear you got a tougher batch of wedges than I did.
I may have implied more concern for safety than I actually have with the steel on steel wedge. I dress the wedges properly as they mushroom so I'm not too worried. If I were that concerned about improbable risks I would probably not be using a chainsaw recreationally.
Irrespective of the steel wedge used, they will mushroom over time. That should be filed off. While I don't mind sharpening a saw and thereby wearing out the steel it just bothers me that a splitting wedge is designed as a consumable product when it could by way of better design last much longer and be more pleasant to use.
Yes I realize if it were a plastic insert that would become the consumable part. But it would still be quieter. A wood insert would also be consumable but I could replace it without buying anything.
I may have implied more concern for safety than I actually have with the steel on steel wedge. I dress the wedges properly as they mushroom so I'm not too worried. If I were that concerned about improbable risks I would probably not be using a chainsaw recreationally.
Irrespective of the steel wedge used, they will mushroom over time. That should be filed off. While I don't mind sharpening a saw and thereby wearing out the steel it just bothers me that a splitting wedge is designed as a consumable product when it could by way of better design last much longer and be more pleasant to use.
Yes I realize if it were a plastic insert that would become the consumable part. But it would still be quieter. A wood insert would also be consumable but I could replace it without buying anything.
Please let me know how it works out. It's my first choice for taking on the big rounds.
Looks like a good tool.
I'm hoping someone will do a high end maul/axe shoot out on here sometime. And include a Fiskars to see how a cheaper tool stacks up.
I'm hoping someone will do a high end maul/axe shoot out on here sometime. And include a Fiskars to see how a cheaper tool stacks up.
cutforfun
Addicted to ArboristSite
I think its been done , the only real way to get an honest opinion is to have someone do the testing that did not spend $120+ on a maul, its hard for them to swollow the pill and say the fiskars worked best.
I have them all and if I could only keep one it would be the Big Ox.
Will do. I have to wait about 2 weeks.
The big ox just arrived and I had a chance to use it on a large oak round with a knot. The big ox is a instrument of mass destruction. It did great. It is still overpriced for what it is but it did exceed my expectations. Very well built. If you need to splurge on something that is very well made this will satisfy.
Glad to hear your results! That's a good way to describe it... a instrument of mass destruction.
MechanicMatt
Cut Split Stack Burn
Why do you guys tempt me with more toys...................
cutforfun
Addicted to ArboristSite
The new Stihl maul is now the same. I do like the steel collor.
Are there any site sponsors that sell the Big Ox? Perhaps we could do a pass around thread like the Traveling Leveraxe....
As mentioned earlier, I'll be bringing a variety of mauls for your torture/pleasure on the 18th. Including 3 kg Mueller (my instrument of mass destruction), 2.5 kg Wetterlings (mobile artillery) and others (5-8 lb) that have been modified with disc grinder to emulate Mueller.
The Mueller and Wetterlings after 3 and 1 yr respectively, have not had their handles "challenged" in any way. Just oiled. Head shape has a lot to do with that. Handles are prime US hickory.
I found a deal on a 6 lb Council Tools maul for waaaay less than Fiskars stuff, delivered, but it won't arrive in time. They make really good tools in Waccamaw NC, and have been getting more into wood-processing tools. Maybe later, if at Jimmy's in Kingston?
Not an attempt to tempt you at all, just to broaden horizons. (And of any interested bystanders.) Have a thirst ready, maybe even for some nice NY red wine yer unc might like.
It'd be interesting to hear Bob's evaluation of the various weapons. He uses such a lot.
TTT
stihly dan
Addicted to ArboristSite
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