The Best Splitting Maul to Make Splitting Wood a Breeze

Doing woodwork is no easy task, as it requires a whole lot of force, energy, and determination. We all know how challenging it is to chop or split wood.

But you don’t have to worry about that because there are splitting mauls you can use to make your wood-splitting task easier.

In this article, we’re going to show you the best splitting maul. For sure, this will help you a ton.

Why do you need to have a splitting maul?

1. Safer mauling

The number one reason why people buy a splitting maul is to make their wood-chopping work safer.

No one wants to cut off their hand accidentally. With the help of a splitting maul, you’re using something that promotes your safety.

Remember that these are specifically designed to maul down wood.

2. Improved productivity

In using a splitting maul, you are also speeding up whatever woodwork you’re doing. It makes you more productive, and you are able to split more wood than ever before.

3. Easier stake driving

When you split wood, it’s a well-known fact that driving your stake through the wood’s inner core is hard to do.

But with the help of a splitting maul, you don’t have to worry about that. Using a splitting maul on a log is comparable to how you slice butter effortlessly.

Best splitting mauls money can buy: My top 10 favorites

#1. Fiskars IsoCore 751110-1003 Maul – Best overall

Manufactured by the famous brand of Fiskars and coming with a lifetime warranty, the Fiskars IsoCore 751110-1003 is our top 1 maul for splitting wood.

The 36-inch handle and 8-pound head are nice configurations. These moderate numbers make sure the splitting maul will suit the majority of users. So if you have medium projects to complete and do not know which config is perfect for you, buying this wood-splitting maul is surely a safe option.

Moreover, the handle is designed with a patented technology named as Fiskars IsoCore Shock Control System. As the name infers, the handle of this Fiskars splitting maul can reduce vibrations and shocks dramatically, which eases your burden of splitting wood.

Additionally, the blade geometry is optimized to provide a means of penetrating more deeply than standard types. Do you need some proof? Just take a look at the riveted head. This design will prevent the head from sliding down the handle.

We also consider the price of this wood-splitting maul when putting it to the top. It denies the saying that cheap things are never of high quality. The value of the Fiskars IsoCore 751110-1003 is worth three times its price!

#2. Estwing Fireside Friend E3-FF4 Axe 14″ Wood Splitting Maul – The runner-up

Don’t look down on the tiny size of the Estwing Fireside Friend Axe E3-FF4. This small maul is forged into only one piece, which is very durable and effective in splitting wood.

Take a look at the back of its head, and you can see the wood-splitting maul gains more weight thanks to a sledgehammer’s second head. With just a little effort, you can chop through solid wood blocks since the force from weight will make the head’s way through timber aggressively.

One more unique feature of this maul is the grip wrapped in genuine leather. When we held the maul in our hands, we had a great feeling of stability and assurance. We love it when we swing the wood-splitting maul up and down, back and forth, with no need to worry that the handle will slip from our hands or the head will fly anywhere else.

One significant contribution to the overall performance and longevity of this maul that we cannot ignore comes from the premium steel material.

Besides, the shiny blue finish and the protective sheath not only beautify but also fortify the maul.

#3. Husqvarna 576926601 Wooden Splitting Maul – Best light-duty maul

This Husqvarna splitting maul seems to be the perfect combination between an axe and a maul. It features a six-pound head and is as long as 32 inches. The dimensions are relatively manageable for small people and beginners in splitting wood.

Besides, the wooden handle is grippy in your hands, increasing maneuverability and safety quite a lot.

Apart from the free leather sheath, the warranty also adds more value to the Husqvarna splitting maul. Although the 90-day guarantee is quite short, you can have the first impression of the quality of the splitting maul.

While its pole is engineered to drive splitting wedges, the striking face in the neck is stiffened and thus can work as a sled or combine with a splitting wedge.

We know two-piece models can have their head and shaft fall apart someday, but the head and the hickory shaft of the Husqvarna 576926601 are joined by both a steel and wooden wedge to ensure tightening.

#4. TABOR TOOLS J55A Splitting Axe, Wood Splitting Maul – Best budget

The TABOR TOOLS J55A offers a fiberglass handle, which delivers a fabulous mix between compactness and sturdiness. Plus, the grip is rubberized to minimize the level of slide and fatigue. We can wield the splitting maul flexibly, even without a pair of gloves.

The balance is also top-notch, ideal for novices and professionals nearly the same.

Overall, we appreciate the shock-absorbent, non-slip, and comfortable grip. It is well-designed from the length to the integrated features.

Unluckily, its head is a bit narrow, so you can hardly break a huge woodblock within one strike. The poll is actually decent, but it should be wider.

This head is equipped with wings, and you can feel the ease and effectiveness of the first swings. Although the steelhead is sustainable already, there is still an extra protective coating on it.

Besides, the finished edge of the cutting blade is fully polished. And after a time when the blade gradually becomes dull, you can resharpen it effortlessly with a file.

With a weight of over 8 pounds, you manage to convert this heaviness into more gravity power and penetrate thick logs more deeply, which is proper compensation for the lack of head size.

#5. Gransfors Bruk Drake Off Road Tools Splitting Maul – Best for wedging

Similar to the TABOR TOOLS J55A, the Gransfors Bruk Drake Off Road Tools features a 32-inch handle. However, its head weighs only six pounds, so its balance seems to be inferior to its counterpart.

Anyway, the hickory handle provides quite a good feeling and is an option for those who prefer wood materials. The manufacturer ground the blade into a concave shape to make it thinner and lighter than standard splitting mauls on the market.

And although this is not a one-piece maul, the head is forged with an extra steel collar to grip the wooden handle better. You don’t need to worry too much that one day the handle and the head will fall apart.

Look at the price tag, we know it might be too luxurious for most people, but you should know that it is backed with a 20-year warranty. This warranty is not as impressive as a lifetime warranty, but it is long enough for you to trust a maul.

#6. RAZOR-BACK 4114000 Ames Company Splitting Mauls – Best for balance

The RazorBack 4114000 has a forged steel head affixed to the grip by an exclusive method.

At first look, most people can hardly realize whether this distinctive maul is constructed in a one-piece or two-piece structure.

In fact, this is a two-piece tool, but the two components are fastened very well and are unlikely to fall apart for years and years. Especially since it is a small 4-pound maul, you will not intend to use it intensely on large trunks.

Moreover, the entire unit is balanced to bring about optimal ease of use and convenience. The blade is light, and so is the 33-inch fiberglass handle. The fiberglass material is also good at absorbing shock and other external impacts.

Given that you will not use the splitting maul to strike hardwoods, there will be no vibration, and the handle with rubber grooves will never skid from your hand.

Regarding downsides, the RAZOR-BACK 4114000 shares the same little poll with the Fiskars IsoCore 751110-1003. So at best, don’t use it for wedging. It is intended for small to medium-sized wood pieces.

#7. Performance Tool M7113 6-Pound Splitting Maul – Best for versatility

Crafted by the famous brand of Performance Tool, the M7113 is available in two weights, 6 pounds, and 8 pounds. As both of these versions are sold at a low price point, you can pick and buy two models of different weights for your different jobs.

The heavy-duty fiberglass handle is equipped with rubber cushion grips and is anti-shock, so no matter what weight, the splitting maul is still easy to utilize.

The tapered blade is thoroughly honed so it can chop through the wood like a knife slices through butter and reduces the count of swings required to split a wedge or a round.

One point you need to notice is that there are negative reviews about the joint between the handle and the head breaking down after a long time of use.

Plus, the long 35-inch handle advances the momentum after each swing, enabling lumberjacks to split big chunks with minimum effort.

#8. True Temper 1113090800 Ames Company Splitting Mauls – Best for power

True Temper 1113090800 is the ultimate solution for those who like heavy-duty weapons. This beast has a 12-pound head, which increases the overall weight up to 15.3 pounds.

Thanks to the incredible weight and the 34-inch handle, this is one of the heftiest splitting mauls on our list. When a maul is longer and heavier, you can imagine how much momentum can be created in full swing.

That said, the bulky maul is more appropriate for those who are tall and muscular rather than small and short people. In combination with human strength, the True Temper 1113090800 will never surrender before any challenging opponents.

We tried using the splitting maul on big logs of up to 10 inches in diameter, and they were smashed down after a few hits.

Of course, we are sure that you will not have to handle tons of wood as you are looking for manual solutions, so we think the splitting maul will make your work easy as pie.

#9. Truper 32415 12-Pound Splitting Maul – Best short maul

Weighing approximately 15 pounds with a 12-pound head, the Truper 32415 is what serious users are seeking. It supplies a devastating power that only professionals who frequently have to tackle large chunks need.

It gets a rubber handle guard to protect your hands in case there are any overstrikes. The head features a sharp side to penetrate the wood and a blunt side to drive wedges and stakes into the ground.

Still, we found that the handle was too short with such a heavy head. As a result, it would be somewhat tricky for users to swing it effectively and create maximum power.

It is undeniable that it is a sturdy maul. Maybe it is more advantageous for short people, and you should not swing it over your head to generate optimal force.

Most importantly, the splitting maul exceeds the ASME Standard B107.54M, which ensures the highest safety that other products rarely offer, even the Fiskars IsoCore 751110-1003.

#10. 1844 Helko Werk Germany 13573 Traditional Splitting Maul – Best for durability

The 1844 Helko Werk Germany 13573 is strongly built and can split types of hardwoods such as oaks efficiently. Similarly, you can use the splitting maul to chop large rounds in a breeze.

The extra-long 35-inch handle (nearly as long as the Fiskars IsoCore 751110-1003) delivers a lot of leverage force, allowing you to save effort in each strike.

The premium C45 carbon steel blade is smoothly tapered at the front, and its back is hefty and flat, which functions as a sledgehammer when you pound it onto the wood.

Besides, the splitting maul handle is constructed of Grade-A American hickory to enhance durability and strength. The smooth finishing of the grip facilitates users to feel more comfortable after long hours of splitting wood.

Last but not least, the extra features are also very noticeable. For instance, the handle is preserved using boiled linseed oil.

And the pack comes with a steel overstrike protector, a bottle of Axe-Guard protective oil, and a leather sheath.

Buying guide: What to consider when choosing the best splitting maul?

1. Weight

– Around 4 pounds: If you only need to cut up a few kindling to make firewood for your home fireplace or the fire pit on your camping trip, these lightweight splitting mauls are very appropriate.

– Approx 8 pounds: This is the average weight for the majority of splitting mauls and will suit most casual users. 8-pound splitting mauls are typically robust enough for you to cleave logs that have a diameter of around 20 inches. Any bigger blocks of wood should require heavier splitting mauls.

– 12 pounds and above: Models that weigh over 12 pounds are only used for professional lumberjacks or those who need to spend all day long tackling huge logs. They will solve any tough and massive woodblock quickly and efficiently, but they also require users to have more strength.

2. Handle

You know, the handle of such a dangerous object should be slip-resistant and as gripping as possible. They should be comfortable so that your hand will not get fatigued and calluses after a long time of use.

Wooden handles are quite prevalent as they are fairly comfortable. However, they are heavy and likely to become rotted by dampness. Although they might break, they are replaceable.

Modern models come with handles constructed from composites such as fiberglass to be lighter yet still long-lasting. The best ones are also engineered to be anti-vibration and shock-proof. (e.g., the Fiskars IsoCore 751110-1003 Maul​)

Unfortunately, these are irreplaceable, so you will have to buy a new maul even if only the handle breaks down.

When it comes to the length of the handle, this depends on your height. Just try swinging your hands with several wooden rods of different lengths and find out what is the perfect length for yourself.

3. Balance

The balance of a maul relies on the ratio of its head’s weight to the handle length.

A balanced maul will provide a means of gaining more kinetic energy to save you effort in splitting woods. This factor mainly depends on the materials, the shape, the design, and the craftsmanship in making the splitting maul.

Therefore, while you cannot touch the splitting maul yet to know exactly how it feels in real life, you can look at the appearance and information of products, read their reviews and find a reputable brand to trust.

4. Forged or socket

How the head and the handle are connected is critical. If they are forged into only one piece, the splitting maul will be more durable, safer, and easier to use. The head will never fly out from the handle, no matter how hard and how long you have used it.

Meanwhile, if the splitting maul’s head is joined with the handle by a socket, it will become loosened over time.

When these two parts become too loose, the head may fly out from the handle and cause accidents. They will also never be attached to each other as tightly as at first.

5. The wedge

The wedge of a maul should neither be too sharp as an axe nor too dull. You can imagine that a maul with an over-dull wedge will bounce off the wood surface just like a hammer.

Besides, big wedges will cover more surfaces and help you split more wood simultaneously. Nevertheless, notice that larger wedges must be more cumbersome.

FAQs

What is the best weight for a splitting maul?

As we explained the different weights of splitting mauls in the buying guide section, each of them is best for various purposes, depending on the volume of wood you have to handle.

So as a general rule, we suggest the average option – eight-pound splitting mauls as the best weight. They are strong enough to help you complete most tasks while they are not too heavy and overwhelm your body.

Our top 1 choice – Fiskars IsoCore 751110-1003 Maul also has an 8-pound head.

Should a splitting maul be sharp?

A splitting maul ought to be sharp at a moderate level. If the edge of the splitting maul is too blunt, it is prone to bounce off the wood when they come in contact, just like you hit the wood with a hammer.

Nonetheless, as you use a maul to split wood but not cut the trees down, it should not be so sharp as an axe.

Is a maul or axe better for splitting wood?

The head of mauls features blunt edges that easily create cracks in the wood, and its V-shaped part is perfect for splitting the wood.

Meanwhile, the head of the axes is sharper and creates small, sharp chips when they hit the wood. Hence, they are more suitable for cutting wood than splitting wood.

Also, mauls are heavier and have a more extended handle than axes, so using them to split logs will be safer and more effective.

In general, we can say that if you want to compare splitting axe vs. maul, a standard maul is even better at splitting wood than the best splitting axe.

Final words

All in all, if you want a quick decision, you can buy the Fiskars IsoCore 751110-1003 Maul. From our point of view, this Fiskars product is the best splitting maul due to its excellent design, superior performance, comprehensive configurations, and low price.

If you need to find a product that suits your specific job, you can depend on our buying guide and make comparisons. Hopefully, you will find the right one!