What Axe do you recommend for splitting some oak ?

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gsrsol84mm

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Have some oak rounds to hand split.
What axe do you recommend ?
Probably need a 27-29 inch length handle.

Will be using the wood for campfires.

Thank you
 
Either the Fiskars X25 or X27 Splitting Axe. I was quite surprised how well both although I prefer the longer X27, split oak with it. Saves quite a bit of energy. I don't think that you can beat them for the price and performance.
 
Another vote here for the Fiskars X27. Before buying one a couple years ago I used an old school long handled maul almost exclusively for the previous 45 years. Since then the mauls have been demoted to driving wedges for the odd piece that's to big or gnarly for the X27. About all we burn is red oak.

From what I've gathered in threads about the X27 vs. the various mauls, preferences seem to depend on your splitting style. If, like me, you hold the handle as close to the end as possible and take a full swing, with your arms at full extension as the tool's head goes over your head, I think you're more likely to prefer the X27 over a heavier maul. I'm 5'-8", 140 pounds, and 72 years old, so the long arc allows me to maximize the kinetic energy in the head with minimum effort. A stronger person may like a heavier tool and a more truncated swing for the easy splits, and save the full swing for the tough stuff.
 
I have the Fiskars x27 and the council 5 lb and 6 lb. The fiskars is a great place to start. You can get the 36" splitting axe and the 24" chopping axe and do everything you need to do for firewood and campfires. The Council 5 lb is also excellent.
 
I have used a conventional 8lb maul for 30+ years. The son in law brought over his Fiskars X27 and I have to say I was very impressed. I thought it would behave more like an axe and just stick in the endgrain but that isn't the case at all. It splits well and it's a lot less work to swing.
Before buying the Fiskars I always used an axe and a maul with wedges. I was very surprised at how good the X27 splits because it's so light. The older I get the more I appreciate it.
 
Either the Fiskars X25 or X27 Splitting Axe. I was quite surprised how well both although I prefer the longer X27, split oak. Saves quite a bit of energy. I don't think that you can beat them for the price and performance.
X27 I don't know how you would break it.Mine is 36 inches total length and I don't want it any shorter. I also have an old 6lb splitting maul head I reshaped.That and a Flint edge Jersey pattern at 4 lbs splits all of it,unless it gets noodled. I find the cheapy 8lb mauls are usually badly shaped, and they are hard to swing for more than about an hour as all the effort gets little results.
 
Got the X27, X25 and the Fiskars Iso-Core 8lb on the way.
Will give all three a try and report back. Really looking forward to it.
They were all very reasonably priced with excellent reviews.

Was also looking at the council 5lb but there were several reviews that said the handle broke. Would always prefer to support made in USA products.
May still get one and give it a try, also quite inexpensive.

Appreciate all the help.
 
I use a ten pound maul with a 36" handle. For the tougher rounds, I have two conical shaped wedges and a more conventional one, but with a twist, which I drive with a 12 pound sledge. I'm 66, and still all but the gnarliest of rounds quake in their boots when I approach. It's a rare day that I fire up the hydraulic splitter.
 
X25 came in today. Was very pleased to see that it was made in Finland. Manufacturer date on the box was Feb 6th, 2022. A total of $54.43 delivered.

Weighs in at 5 lbs 2 ounces

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Got the X27, X25 and the Fiskars Iso-Core 8lb on the way.
Will give all three a try and report back. Really looking forward to it.
They were all very reasonably priced with excellent reviews.

Was also looking at the council 5lb but there were several reviews that said the handle broke. Would always prefer to support made in USA products.
May still get one and give it a try, also quite inexpensive.

Appreciate all the help.

I have 2 Council axes- handles excellent on both. Its mighty easy to overstrike and break a handle no matter how good it is or who makes it. Maybe the plastic/fiberglass handles are harder to break, but I've no interest in swinging one of them- I'll do the work on getting an accurate swing.
 
Can strike the x27 handle all day long I expect, it won't break .Thats another reason why its a go-to for me. It will even beat to death stringy live-oak, or sweetgum, but my energy is better spent elsewhere.
 
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