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Splitting Axe vs Maul: Which Splits Firewood Better?

Splitting axe vs maul for firewood: head weight, shape, speed and the rounds each handles, with Fiskars X27 and IsoCore picks.

By Woodlot Gear ReviewPublished 1 min readHow we research
A splitting axe and a splitting maul leaning on a chopping block

Affiliate disclosure: product links on this page go to Amazon or to the maker's own store. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you; links to makers' own stores earn us nothing. No retailer or brand sees our picks before they are published or has any say in them. How we choose.

Use a maul for big, knotty or green rounds: its 6 to 8 pound wedge head forces wood apart. Use a splitting axe for straight-grained, seasoned wood: a lighter, sharper head is quicker to swing. Many people own both.

Side by side

Splitting axeSplitting maul
HeadLighter, sharper6 to 8 lb wedge
SpeedFastSlower, more force
Best onStraight grain, seasonedBig, knotty, green rounds
Picks hereFiskars X27 (36 in)Fiskars IsoCore 8 lb (36 in)

Splitting axe

Fiskars X27: forged head, 36 inch shock-absorbing handle, full lifetime warranty (per the Amazon listing).

Fiskars X27 36 in splitting axeCheck price on Amazon

Maul

Fiskars Pro IsoCore 8 lb: 36 inch IsoCore handle, full lifetime warranty (per the Amazon listing).

Fiskars Pro IsoCore 8 lb splitting maulCheck price on Amazon

Seasoned wood splits more easily, WEN says. Picks: best splitting mauls. Too much wood for hand tools: log splitters.

Frequently asked questions

Should I get a splitting axe or a maul?

A maul for big or knotty rounds, an axe for straight-grained seasoned wood; many households have both.

How heavy is a splitting maul?

6 to 8 pounds on the picks here. Heavier heads hit harder but tire you sooner over a long session.

Can a splitting axe split big logs?

It can on straight grain, but it tends to stick or bounce on big, knotty rounds where a maul's weight helps.

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

A felling axe has a thin bit for cutting across fibers; a splitting axe has a wider head to push them apart.

Do I need a wedge too?

For the toughest rounds a steel wedge driven with a sledge, like the Estwing Sure Split, finishes what a maul starts.

Sources

  1. How to Choose a Log Splitter, WEN Products
  2. Best Wood-Burning Practices, US EPA Burn Wise

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