Best Splitting Mauls Reviewed & Tested
The traditional chopping ax comes with several for splitting woods, however, they all pale into insignificance compared to the chopping prowess of a modern splitting maul. The ingenious design of a maul head, coupled with the extra heft and punch it packs means that you’ll be splitting the toughest and most demanding piles of wood and chunks of knotted logs with minimal effort and in a fraction of the time it takes the traditional chopping ax. Further, because it cuts along the grain, it cuts smoothly, cleanly, and quickly. Additionally, the ergonomic design of their handles and the fact that they’re long gives the user extra leverage and comfort for prolonged use, a fete the conventional ax can’t match.
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Choosing a most suitable splitting maul from a market filled to the brim with models of various sizes and shapes can be an uphill task; we understand that. That’s why we’ve rounded up 10 of the best splitting mauls the market has to offer and thoroughly reviewed them.
10 Best Splitting Mauls
1. Fiskars Iso Core 751110-1001
It comes with an 8-pound striking head that makes short and quick work of the toughest and most demanding logs you can find. The fact that it features heavy-duty construction with forged, heat-treated steel means that it can withstand the test of time, taking on several strings of extreme abuse and never give up. To the high-end construction of the maul head add the optimized blade geometry that guarantees superior and effortless penetration, enabling you to quickly and effortlessly blast the toughest logs. To top it all off, the blade boasts a durable, rust-resistant coating that further adds to the tool’s longevity.
Overall, the maul outputs remarkable performance and will help you split various logs powerfully and quickly. Plus, it’s easy to use, comfortable, and cost-effective.
Comfortable, easy-to-use handle
Durable, high-end construction
Full lifetime warranty
Cost-effective
Not ideal for heavy-duty projects
A little heavy
2. Gransfors Bruks
With a sturdy and rugged head forged from industrial-grade carbon steel and packing 5-1/2 pounds of pure splitting force, the Gransfors Bruks effortlessly goes through the toughest logs and knotty chunks of wood. The extremely thin design of the blade, together with the fact that it’s concave in shape makes it a perfect choice for people who want quick, effortless performance. Besides splitting logs, it is also a perfect choice for driving or striking wedges, thanks to its reasonable 7-pound weight and robust poll with bevelled corners.
The weight and length of the handle add to its leverage, balance, and ease of use, allowing for perfect swings for splitting tough logs. Still on the handle, it features a protective overstrike collar beneath the head of the maul that rather than tearing the grain and possibly causing the head to break, only dents the metal collar.
Additional features include the blade protecting, all-vegetable tanned leather constructed leather sheath and the incredibly long and generous 240-month warranty.
In all, the Gransfors Bruks is a poster child for excellent craftsmanship, durability, and high-performance and is justifiably expensive.
Powerful, versatile performance
Has a sharp, long-lasting blade
Comes with heavy-duty Grade-A hickory handle
Generous 120-month warranty
Grain leather sheath included
Costly
3. Estwing Fireside Friend Axe
As indicated above, it is forged in one solid piece of premium quality carbon steel. To this add a long-lasting and formidable rust-resistant coating. The result is a rock-solid, durable, and indestructible maul that will stand up to many years of heavy, extreme abuse and loads of wear and tear. Compared to weak, humdrum models out there, it won’t shy away from heavy-duty splitting projects, making the perfect companion for campers and outdoorsy people.
Most notably, the splitting maul features a weighted wedge design to take the pressure off. Secondly, it has a shock reducing grip that diverts or reduces the attendant vibrations by up to 70 percent, preventing them from reaching your hands and causing hand exhaustion. The best part though is the comfort and firm grip the handle provides. It simply enhances ease of use and practicality.
If you have several logs to split but lack the time, the Estwing Fireside will assist in clearing the workload quickly and easily.
Rugged, long-lasting one-piece construction
Lightweight and a cinch to use
Smooth, efficient, and quick performance
Budget-friendly
Nothing significant
4. Helko Werk Vario 2000
The maul head features high-end, professional construction using drop forged, heat treated, and oil-hardened C50 high-grade carbon steel. Coupled with the fact that it weighs an impressive 6.7 pounds and comes with a deep wedge, the tool is capable of delivering powerful striking force for easily, quickly, and accurately splitting tree trunks, large logs and rounds, and heavy firewood.
The handle, like the maul head, is perfect in every way. Featuring a piece construction of Grade-A American hickory, it comes with the perfect combination of strength, grain orientation, and density. The curved design gives it the quintessential and conventional appearance and a solid, commanding feel in the hand.
As well as being strong and resilience, the handle is also lightly lacquered with a black-dipped grip, meaning that it provides a firm and secure grip, minimizing the likelihood of inadvertent slippage with every swing.
An additional noteworthy feature is the vegetable-tanned leather sheath that protects the head in between uses and a 1-ounce bottle of Axe-Guard protective oil for keeping rust and corrosion at bay. In all, this splitting maul should be up your alley if you’re looking for an industrial-grade tool for heavy-duty chopping of tree trunks, large logs and rounds, and heavy firewood. It more than suffices.
Aesthetically attractive design
Exceptional quality
Robust and rugged head and steel
Perfect workmanship
Expensive
5. Fiskars x27, 378841-1002
Considering the ingenious design and ease of using it, all you need is a single swing to quickly split the toughest logs and chunks of knotty woods. And the feature response for that effortless performance is the superior design of the tool’s blade. The fact that the blade is crafted from industrial-grade, hardened, forged steel means it maintains its sharp splitting edge for several years on end. Consequently, it provides a perfect contact with the wood, splitting it cleanly and quickly.
The 36-inch length makes it a perfect choice for tall homeowners to save them from the back-breaking design of shorter models. With a single swing, it splits logs right down to the base and because it features an advanced bevel convex blade geometry, freeing a struck blade should be easy. It also comes with a pro-grade patented FiberComp handle that’s exceptionally lightweight yet much sturdier than steel. As Fiskars wax lyrically points out, the tool’s handle is virtually indestructible and will outlast those of its competing rivals.
With a hardened forged steel blade and a user-friendly FibreComp handle, it has all the requisite torque and heft for quickly and efficiently splitting tough and dense logs. It swings with ease and strikes powerfully. You’ll love it.
Reasonably priced
Professionally and durably constructed
Long handle for extra leverage and power
Easy to use
Difficult to control
6. Wilton Tools 50836
It doesn't matter if you put an ordinary log or a dense chunk of highly knotted wood in its path because it's guaranteed to split it quickly and efficiently in a snap. The effortless performance is entirely attributable to the installation of a Hi-Viz drop forged maul head. The heft and weight of the head make splitting the toughest red oak rounds look like child's play.
The above feature pairs nicely with the fact that the tool sports a practically indestructible handle, thanks to its utilization of heavy-duty and long-lasting steel rods. According to the manufacturer, all its splitting mauls are perfectly capable of withstanding more than 25,000 overstrikes, and this model is no different. Still, it is quite lightweight and compact and easy to use, a fete it achieves by expertly balancing performance and convenience. The handle, for instance, dampens shocks and vibrations, thereby providing for a smooth, safe, and prolonged use.
In all, the budget-friendly price of the Wilton Tools 50836 means you don’t have to sell one of your kidneys to sample the durability, immense splitting power, and ease of use it so generously offers. It’s one of the best you money can get you. And it comes with a confidence-boosting 24-month, $1000 warranty should the handles break from regular wear and tear from everyday use.
Tough, strong and durable
Versatile and powerful performance
Has a shock- and vibration-absorbing handle
Generous $1000, 24-month warranty
Costly
7. M7111 by Performance Tool
If you have several thick and dense planks of wood and knotted logs to chop and your flimsy, run-of-the-mill splitting maul doesn’t have the heft and power to do it, it should be your next resort. The tool comes with a hefty 8-pound maul head crafted from commercial-grade and long-lasting steel, meaning that it'll not only maintain its sharp edge for years on end but also make short and quick work of the most demanding projects both domestically and commercially.
Boasting a budget-friendly tag, it’s surprising it even comes with a tough and rugged handle for taking tough, heavy-duty chopping applications head-on. Still, features a heavy-duty 33-inch fibreglass handle that provides great leverage for quick and effortless swinging. Besides the lightweight construction, the splitting maul also has this extra cushion on the grip to dampen or absorb most of the attendant shocks, leaving you with flawless, easy performance. The handle also ensures your grip is secure and doesn't slip with each strike.
For homeowners on a budget, the M7111 is a perfect choice. It comes with the additional weight and leverage, superb and durable construction, and comfortable handle to ensure quick and seamless performance.
Offers the best bang for the buck
Comfortable
Sharp blade for clean, quick splitting
Swings powerfully but effortlessly
A little heavy
8. Husqvarna 32 Inch
The design is to turn tough and demanding applications into easy and quick ones, and in that endeavor it exceeds expectations. This model, for instance, is a versatile one that features a hardened striking face in the neck. As a result, you can use it as a sledge or together with a splitting wedge. Irrespective of the intended use, it boasts a gentle learning curve, so that professionals and greenhorn can have the easiest time splitting the toughest logs. The fact that the head of the splitting maul is forged from Swedish axe steel means it splits logs in a snap and is remarkably easy to pull out.
In all, it is a hotbed for versatility, superior performance, durability, ease of use, and affordability. It should be your go-to tool for light- to heavy-duty splitting projects.
Indestructible construction
Perfect for heavy-duty splitting
Comfortable grip handle
Offers exceptional force and leverage for effortless performance
Short handle
9. True Temper Sledge Eye Wood Super Splitter
Like virtually all options featuring on our list, it has a heavy-duty, 4-pound ax head constructed from high-end materials and because it's expertly balanced, it allows you to swing the splitting maul powerfully, easily, and effectively all season long. The maul head can also stand up to rigorous, heavy use all season and never be brought down by loads of wear and tear. Coupled with the fact that it’s sufficiently sharp, it’s a worthy investment for splitting and cutting wood.
Despite the frequency of overstrikes, the likelihood of the maul head slipping from the handle are remote at best as the splitting maul comes with an exclusively integrally-molded handle guard to guard against such a potentially dangerous possibility.
Further, in addition to being lightweight with a weight of just 2 pounds, it poses minimal risk of straining your hands or causing hand exhaustion. The molded polypropylene grip is both comfortable and firm, so you have blisters all over your hands because it can’t slip during use.
For any homeowner in search of one of the best options for use around the house, this tool is worthy of very serious consideration. The superb performance comes hand in glove with durability and convenience, which are more than you can get for this price range.
Lightweight and swings powerfully
Easy to use
Durable and comfortable FibreGlass core handle
Offers value for money
Not ideal for heavy, extreme use
10. Fiskars X11
You’ll be amazed at how quickly and cleanly it is able to cut through tough and dense logs and woods. The tool has a hardened forged steel blade that's perfect for easy swings for one-strike splits. The sharp, long-lasting edge and the accompanying low-friction coating makes for non-stick chopping. The blade, therefore, goes into the wood and out without much resistance or a struggle.
Another unique selling point is the textured grip that guarantees a non-slip, comfortable use. By optimizing power-to-weight ratio, the handle allows for more forceful swings, making it possible to split the toughest logs with a single strike. To this add the vibration-dampening chamber that dependably disperses them before reaching the hand. The handle also conforms to the natural contours of the hand, significantly minimizing your susceptibility to blisters for smooth and safe chopping. And of course, it is lightweight.
If it's perfection you’re looking for, this one is as close as you’re going to get to it. By perfectly balancing and incorporating all the essential features, it guarantees the user of eye-popping performance. The icing on the cake is the budget-friendly price tag.
Lightweight
Indestructible and impossible to separate
Effortless, quick, and smooth cutting
Has heavy-duty sheath
Nothing significant
Criteria for Choosing the Best Options
The most fundamental consideration when shopping for a splitting maul is the performance and construction characteristics of the maul head. A hefty and high-quality maul head provides for the smooth and flawless performance, enabling you to drive the wedge or split the logs quickly and with minimal effort.
Heavy heads take the time and effort away from the most demanding wood splitting tasks because you’ll need minimal effort to get the head swinging downwards forcefully. However, lifting them will require some energy. For use around the house, any weight between 4 and 12 pounds should be ideal. Similarly, it needs to be made from high-end and durable materials to withstand the rigors of splitting tough and dense logs.
The Handle
If you’re planning on chopping or splitting logs and woods for several hours a day, be mindful of the length, weight, and ease of using the handle. Ensure it offers a firm, secure, and non-slip grip because the last thing you want is the splitting maul slipping from your hand while swinging. The weight should be ideal to eliminate hand strain, exhaustion, and blisters. You can choose between a fibreglass and composite handle or a hickory handle. While the former is nearly ubiquitous, it lacks the immense striking force of the latter and it’s more susceptible to splinters. The latter are replaceable and ideal for prolonged, extensive use.
In the same vein, consider the length. Long handles come with extra leverage and power for easy and quick splitting. Short handles, conversely, are easily controllable, making them an ideal choice for greenhorns.
Affordability
It might sound like a cliché but the correlation between price and quality it goes hand in glove. As rule of thumb, the most expensive models out there come with a raft of auxiliary features to make chopping or splitting quick, easy and effortless. However, for light- to medium-duty tasks around the house, you don’t need the most expensive of them as those are the preserve of seasoned DIYers frequently handling tough or dense woods.
Still, religiously check to ensure the model you’re enamored of features the kind of construction quality, durability, and convenience commensurate with the kind of splitting you’ll be doing.
Additional Features
Other noteworthy considerations include a protective sheath and warranty. A protective sheath, like a rust- and corrosion-resistant coating, adds to the durability of the tool by protecting it against wear and tear. As well as being indicative of the brand’s confidence in the construction quality of their tool, a warranty gives the user confidence and peace of mind in a product as it provides cover against deficiencies in material and workmanship.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I sharpen my maul?
A: The process is quite straightforward. First off, ensure both the bastard file and the blade are clean. After securing the tool on a bench vise, proceed to pass the bastard file on the blade’s edge repeatedly in a forward motion, all the while aiming for a 45-degree angle. Sharpen to heart’s content.
Q: How different is the splitting maul from an ax?
A: A splitting maul assumes the shape of a sledgehammer and features a head weighing between 4 and pounds. An ax, on the other hand, comes with a wedge head that weighs no more than 3 pounds.
Conclusion
At the beginning of this buying guide, we set out to impart on you the requisite knowledge and information to enable you to make an informed choice on your next choice. And in that endeavor, we did our best.
We’ve featured the best the market has to offer. Irrespective of your choice, you’ll end up with a pro-grade splitting maul that perfectly balances affordability, ease of use, performance, and durability among other essential considerations.
