How To Sharpen Your Splitting Maul / Axe Maul

Sharpened up my favorite Splitting Maul / Axe Maul, its a big 8lb maul. Using a simple garage tool. A mill bastard file is all you need. The results are sharp as a razor. Got a big ol pile of wood to split. Its a BIG job. Lets get busy, get some exercise, and get er done!
Tomswonderfulworld

[@lolalou2604]

TY TY I have the same maul. It however is 12 yrs. old and never sharpened. Today it dawned on me might need sharpening. Had no clue how and I'm a 75 yr. old granny so this video is a blessing for me. I wiil give a try tomorrow. Thanx Again God Blees

[@Z0MBI3P3LICAN]

Not sure why, but i find wood splitting kind of relaxing

[@cyberslick18]

Your icon is crazy, it looks like a real fly on my screen. I've seen the spider one, that's not very convincing, but that fly is like perfectly 3D somehow lol

[@John-fp6cd]

I agree.

[@wewatchmovies4446]

Me too

[@gregorynotgreg]

Ditto.

[@literallyshaking8019]

The perfect well connected golf shot and splitting red oak logs with one swing are two of the most satisfying tactile feelings ever.

[@tylerhood9846]

Tom, just got an 8lbs maul yesterday. Your video is now saved to my playlist for maintenance. I loved how when you sharpened the edge of the blade how you could see the progress immediately. Great angle work and you can tell you’re a man who is straight to the point a knows exactly what needs to be done. Thanks for helping guys like me.

[@lakesideranch]

Cord wood warms you twice, once when you split it and then again when you burn it :) Cool video Tom, stay warm brother !

[@wanderingacres9528]

3 times, split it, stack it, burn it

[@shader26]

@@wanderingacres9528 more than that. 1 felling the tree, 2 chopping into sections wood length, 3 carrying the sections to the wood chopping area 4 lifting it up and chopping into firewood 5 carrying it to the drying stack 6 stacking it 7 bringing it into the house to actually burn. At least 7 times!

[@elim7228]

Good jokes you guys 😂😂! Put a smile on my morning 🤣

[@williammorris5411]

A lot of people underestimate the effectiveness and simplicity of a good file 😎I use them for axes, mower blades, chainsaws, and general garden tools. There really is no need to get out a grinder, which I find a) offers less fine control, and b) often takes off more metal than necessary. Each to their own their, whatever works!

[@andyhill9562]

Wow,nothing fancy and straight to the point,cheers

[@stewartbruce8902]

Your tutorial perfect time for me, as I just hauled four loads of wood rounds Time to split it; but I never sharpened my 8 pound axe. Thanks to your video I look forward to an easier job of it. Thank you, and all the best from New Rochelle N.Y.

[@LastoftheMoehegans]

New Rochelle love from. Mr Cherico Jr

[@brianjohnson1985]

love the wind sounds makes me want to be outside :) thank you i enjoyed the simple tool method.

[@bn8706]

Sweet. I am going to try this method. Usually I use a wet stone but this looks better. Nice video

[@beebob1279]

Never realized how dull my maul was until I started watching how to sharpen a maul. I've got some work to do

[@chatenhill6299]

This video was really helpful I appreciate it.

[@murrayfarms]

Love it!! Totally "Old School" method. We have always done it this way and we have heated our home for 25 years with a wood stove. No gas or electric heat!

[@alimirza6044]

Easy and simple way to sharp the mail. Will give it a try tomorrow

[@sherwinmacburnie5967]

Thanks for the help, great video.

[@Blazer02LS]

Brings back bad memories of years spent in the woodlot....

[@TheWreckingYard]

Nice work Tom

[@bradwatts9960]

Great useful video mate. Cheers

[@johnlvs2run]

Thanks for the video. Good job sharpening. Your splitting swing is quite wild though. Watch how many times you come close to your legs.

[@doneB830]

I got one like that and also love it.

[@DanielPearson1]

Thanks! Very helpful!

[@Ladycooks]

I recently started splitting the logs from the dead trees I felled. It is an amazing workout and yes, relaxing!

[@elim7228]

Be safe

[@HighConsciousness1]

best no nonsense sharpening video on youtube!! also - you are one of the few that actually splits large logs - I do the same and have been using the Fiskars X27 - works amazing! I did go to the 2 Wedge and 20lbs sledge hammer method for MASSIVE logs - I'm in the market for a nice 8lb Maul - not sure what to get either the Gransford, Ilsis Oxhead /German Made both of these are over $150.00. Leaning toward the US Made Council with Hickory handle. I like to have a few tools about but at the moment the Fiskars at 4lbs is pretty amazing and VERY affective. The metal is super sharp yet also a bit soft. I've split 15 cords with it and it has not failed me once.

[@CJ-jq9id]

This, so much this. I tried a nail then gift the fiskars x27 I felt like Captain America when he's chopping wood together with iron man!

[@CJ-jq9id]

Fiskars also make a heavy maul you type as well now. Like a sledge and an axe combined.

[@hotpoker4212]

Check out fiskers isocore 8 lb splitting maul, serious tool,for splitting rings

[@Cheator40]

Looking at the size of the wood your chopping Tom I am glad you took the few minutes to sharpen that Maul.

[@tomswonderfulworld]

The ones that are a couple feet in dia are tough to crack. After they crack its cake!

[@tfcig2019]

New to chopping wood (1st time w/wood burning heater). Thanks for info. I have a dremel, but rather use a hand bastard. As you said, gives more control. Thanks for the vid & info. Be blessed.

[@wemcal]

Great video

[@357mag1977]

Thanks..quick to the point.

[@HNXMedia]

This is one damned relaxing video. Thanks. Peace.

[@ericahbenton2451]

Thank you for this.

[@thesergio9444]

wow he really works fast!!

[@chiefmorning7791]

thanks for the video

[@HappyScrappy47]

Hell Tom, your faster then any splitter :)

[@LastoftheMoehegans]

Thank you sir

[@benolson5273]

all i have to say after splitting for roughly 4 years is dont forgetto keep your stroke count even on both sides so you dont offset your bevel

[@donniebrite9170]

Man I'm gonna try your technique on my maul I love using files on my pocket knives the guys I work with have pull through sharpeners and I have something you can shave with lol

[@tgsgardenmaintenance4627]

Would take a grinding wheel to that and finish it off with a file & a stone. Works every time!

[@johnheckscher7138]

I think a grinder is better and faster, files are slow way

[@WaveAction777]

Taking advantage of the weather I see. A sharp blade sure does make a difference.

[@tomswonderfulworld]

It definitely does

[@Dandeeman26]

Wouldnt have guessed oak would split very good.

[@tejinashi62]

Thank you, short and sweet, answers the questions I had about sharpening my maul. What kind of coffee do you drink before you split?

[@ssakhi10]

Great video. Have you ever tried stone to sharpen? Thanks

[@Jositoooo]

Next video: “Here’s how to reupholster a shop stool…” 😂

[@iceman22st]

Nothing beats hand sharpening.

[@Velvethamma]

All I can think of watching you sharpen that maul with a file is the movie Sling Blade... um hum! Like those Nicholson files. Got me a couple in the old tool chest

[@tomswonderfulworld]

LMAO

[@wtbm123]

Nice job

[@tomswonderfulworld]

Thanks Terry

[@GregsGarage]

You gotta love it... at 6:15, one piece hits the ground and splits itself!

[@tomswonderfulworld]

LOL I wish they would all magically split themselves! Actually the swing before cracked it through it just didn't fall away until I hit it again

[@donniebrite9170]

Greg's Garage that's how afraid of that maul it was LMAO

[@adriantrain2037]

Is there a need to sharpen a brand new splitter? I have just brought one today and it seems to be fairly blunt, nowhere near as sharp as my axe, but it seemed to go through the wood okay, but maybe if i sharpened it, it would fo it better still

[@jasonburch2061]

I would say definitely. The manufacturer doesn’t know what you intend to cut with it. Some professional woodsmen like to sharpen a different bevel depending on the tree type hardwood versus softwood. So the manufacturer basically rough grinds a bevel and allows for you to sharpen your final edge. Use a file follow the bevel. Count your strokes and try and do the same on both sides. Don’t be too critical of yourself if it’s not surgical sharp your first try. Sharpening takes time to learn and there’s a lot of steel there. Give yourself a break and go split some wood my friend.

[@elim7228]

I have tried to split a dead Ash tree - the maul bounces off of it like as if hitting a metal. That tree is so dry and knotty, pretty much nothing works. But I'm just a beginner on all of this. I am reprofiling the bit, and will see what happens.

[@lindamoggioable]

I'm off to my borrowed splitting maul. Will I do as well as you did?

[@Timetotinker]

made it look easy.........tony

[@tomswonderfulworld]

I try

[@caseyg.6112]

Dang Tom! How do you split that wood so fast? How do you even move that fast?

[@chad19701962]

nice

[@jerseyjim8365]

No frills. The way I like it.

[@fiouable]

Great technique. I'll do that on mine. It's brand new, but not very sharp. The maul bounces back when I hit the log.

[@mistermacgray]

Just bought one just like this and same issue. Will be tapering it a little more along with a good sharpening. Blinded off to year old dead ash that has been in the sun every day, and really

[@glenspryszak6005]

Make sure the wood is seasoned because it will bounce back. Also, frozen wood splits easy because the water in the cellular structure fractures easily.

[@spookydotchr]

so did you NEED to split it or did you WANT to split it because there was a lot that was split on the ground

[@BryanEaton]

+Chan Chan If he's like me, he just wants to get out of the house

[@redwhiteblue7831]

if you have a vise it will make the job easier and more efficient

[@redwhiteblue7831]

have you seen the tire on splitting block... less wood to pick up and put back up on the block... looks like it worked just fine

[@crazysquirrel9425]

bungee cord works too

[@glenspryszak6005]

Unless the diameter of the wood is bigger than tire bead diameter.

[@plunder3]

Can you specify what file to use? Thanks

[@derek8095]

Mill bastard

[@paulverisor]

What did you just call him?! LOL

[@AndyGenova-jr9ol]

What angle are u using??? U just gussing

[@shader26]

I thought mauls shouldn’t be very sharp. That they are meant to wedge in instead of cut in. Am I totally off base?

[@glenspryszak6005]

Yes.

[@mortarconn]

What size file do you use?

[@Straight0uttaCrofton]

lol your handle looks like mine

[@SwPiotrek]

You have a lot of work, with splitting this wood.

[@elmerfudd7674]

Vise??

[@cornsronald3710]

if you want to know how to make it yourself, just go to woodprix website.

[@CookeSonsCarpentry]

Why would you sharpen anything on a free spin shop chair? A roller coaster might be easier...

[@billpereca2664]

So sharp is better than dull,,, ??

[@chippytucker6318]

Personal preference really, I leave mine the way it is from the store, and it works great, but some feel the need to sharpen a splitting maul, and that's fine too, just personal choice really. I will run a file over mine, if I hit the ground, or hit a small rock etc, but mostly just leave it alone, as I find that too sharp an edge, just slows me down, as it gets stuck in the wood more often.

[@daves7503]

I agree.. personal preference. Im 6' 3", 240lbs and have been splitting wood for 30 years... have not met a maul I cant break yet. I am currently working on a fiskars... and surprisingly I haven't broke it yet. I Have a Husky 4.5lbs splitting axe that I like.... but I just broke it. With Husky, when I break it, I just bring it to the store and swap it out for a new one..... never have to sharpen anything.

[@AeroSport103]

Is this a WrangleStar approved method...? 8)

[@sixpath]

Ironheart Fabrication who cares, at least the video isn't 20 min long

[@wildeyednorthernboy]

MAN ...i know i would of slipped & cut my hand 2 shi*t LOL

[@jesseheilman]

Who could give a thumbs down to that video why would you

[@FeedMeSalt]

I don't bother anymore. Every brand offers a lifetime warranty if you keep the paper. The majority of retail stores will honor that for you. It's a shame to waste good tools but it's so easy to stop by the hardware store swap my Maul for a new one and keep on working. Done this 4 times now.

[@pineapplepissant]

My fiskars x27 would turn that big log into a bundle of fire wood with one swing

[@austinthacker7589]

I have watched at least 12 KZbin videos so I feel like I've got the experience to say that it's not sharp until you have made it all the way up to a 3000 grit sharpening stone. Need a Mirror finish and razor sharp edge, and after every swing that you slam it into a hard piece of wood you need to start all over or better yet, after you put all the work into sharpening it, better put it away because it was too much work to get it sharp the first time.

[@okidoke4822]

Not so. It’s a splitter not an axe. It doesn’t need to be razor sharp.

[@BrockOBauma]

Hard to take splitting advice from someone who doesn't split his wood in a tire. Why pick the wood up 2x as much?

[@Yaheuben66]

I fear for all the un-split wood near you

[@japheth6176]

nice

[@pineapplepissant]

My fiskars x27 would turn that big log into a bundle of fire wood with one swing