Thread: Firewood splitter axe under $100?

montiee, I have been a Bahco fan since the 1960s, great tools but, in this case, I would go for a block splitter with a fibreglass handle.

We have had one for about 13 years, I think, and it is still going strong.

I am not sure where to buy in Sydney but would try a Stihl or Husqvarna store.

Originally Posted by Old farmer

montiee, I have been a Bahco fan since the 1960s, great tools but, in this case, I would go for a block splitter with a fibreglass handle.

We have had one for about 13 years, I think, and it is still going strong.

Good to know..

Originally Posted by Old farmer

I am not sure where to buy in Sydney but would try a Stihl or Husqvarna store.

Unfortunately since I don't live in a rural setting these things are like hens teeth and only stocked for the odd pro so prices at such outlets are ridiculously high due to lack of competition. For the price I'm looking at it's probably going to have to come from a hardware store or online. I'll check out BigB and see whats on offer..

Thanks for your input..

Montiee, if you do not do any good at Bunnings, Google Stihl and you can find a dealer near you.

I imagine same applies to Husqvana.

As far as block splitters go I found a perfectly functional unit at the local bargain shop, rung by a bunch of persons of the Oriental persuasion. Think it cost all of $10-15 a couple of years ago - steel wedge shaped head, fiberglass handle, whack it with a sledge or back of a real axe if it doesn't split a block in one go - mate has been using it to split sleeper offcuts with nasty interlocked grain no problems.

Picked up a finnish unit (fiskars) from BigB which seems decent and fit the budget. Nice looking splitter axe head that isn't massively fat and already has a nice sharp cutting edge. Seemed well weighted. Handle is made from nyglass and is 72cm long. Last one there while loads of other cheapie ones left on the shelf. I'll give it a swing tomorrow but it should be fine.

Edit:looking at a few reviews it seems I made a good choice..

I have a Fiskars...best log splitter I have ever used and worth the money...you need all the help you can get with black/grey box.

Been a while since I bought one but a block splitter (sledge hammer one side and sharp wedge other) cost about $15 ten or so years ago. My feeling on this is the European designs are for splitting soft woods and they mostly look like fat axe heads. I think you would be better with a splitter and a separate axe. A regular axe will split strait grain wood but a lot of aussie woods require a good solid splitter. The real stubborn wood just has to be docked shorter to split at all. Some bits defy splitting by any means so have to be chainsawed 3/4 way down first.

Hi, having both used plenty of and sold lots of (former hardware store employee), the best wood slpitters have a metal 'neck' ( overstrike protector) that is welded below the head where the handle fits into, preventing damage to the top of the handle, also if you can find one with a slightly longer handle it will give you a better mechanical advantage, more bang for your buck if you like.

Happy splitting

Simon

Originally Posted by montiee

Picked up a finnish unit (fiskars) from BigB which seems decent and fit the budget. Nice looking splitter axe head that isn't massively fat and already has a nice sharp cutting edge. Seemed well weighted. Handle is made from nyglass and is 72cm long. Last one there while loads of other cheapie ones left on the shelf. I'll give it a swing tomorrow but it should be fine.

Edit:looking at a few reviews it seems I made a good choice..

Be careful. I demolished our Fiskar splitter axe recently and I won't be forking out for another. I slammed it into a log end and wedged it there something shocking. Couldn't get it out using all the usual methods. So I then tried to belt it through the log like a wedge....the result of that was a partially split log.

Then a mishit on the back of the axe broke the plastic collar around the axe head and reduced the axe to a very expensive wedge.

So I bought a Made in Australia 2kg Cyclone Block Buster.....cheaper, better, fixable