Using the Fiskars Iso Core 8lb Maul to split large red oak rounds

[@JackofAllTrades1]

Here is the latest and greatest wood chopping video! kzbin.info/www/bejne/hYK0m2iGapajiZI

[@mzeusk13]

A tip, the knot should always be at the bottom, you'll split it much easier. Cheers!

[@JackofAllTrades1]

Thanks for the tip, it's definitely like that with my log splitter too.. not sure why I didn't think of it here, was probably more focused on the video production. Thanks for the advice anyway.

[@paulr.3220]

At 70 years old, I have been cutting my own and splitting by hand 3 cord a year. For all those years I have used a maul that I made myself. I finally bought a Fiskars 8 lb and am impressed with it. Same weight as my home made one but the fiberglas handle is sure superior to the wood. My wife thinks that I am crazy to keep splitting by hand but I say it keeps me young and stronger than most guys half my age.

[@JackofAllTrades1]

Those years that I lived in NH and heated my home with wood were some of the strongest I've ever been. It was a forced workout, weekly. :)

[@Freight_Train]

Well done. I'm *only* 53 and just started splitting logs recently. Congrats on keeping healthy.

[@JOEZEP54]

Good video. I've been splitting for a few years & still learning. With the knot on the bottom it will split easier. On rounds that do not show any signs of splitting after a few strikes I go right to the wedge then follow up with the maul. I also use a tire to hold pieces together. When splitting for the day the less time I have to been & pick helps me to last a little longer. If not now you will see what I mean when you get closer to my age LOL. I have a couple of videos working on fire wood. Stay safe, Joe Z

[@BrandonWest87]

The tire and an X27 makes quick work of splitting a half round into wood stove size pieces for sure! It just has that satisfying “crack crack crack” as you just work through the piece. Great suggestion!

[@JOEZEP54]

@@BrandonWest87 The only thing better that that “crack crack crack” is relaxing by the fire LOl. Stay safe, Joe Z

[@BrandonWest87]

@JOE Z Agreed my man! That’s what makes all of it worth it. Take care!

[@rickrader1648]

Hi, Old guy here. Good video. I have that maul. My critique would be you are muscling the maul, pulling it down and forward from the top of your stroke. If you let the Maul fall on its own you can increase its acceleration with minimal force as it falls. Might take a few more blows but the overall exertion is so much less over a long session. For splitting smaller pieces after quartering the round, I use gravity only as this thing is a beast or I switch to a 5 pound splitting axe to save even more strength.

[@JackofAllTrades1]

Good advice Rick! ... I actually did a comparison between Fiskars axe and maul.. you should check it out, though I'm probably swinging the maul too hard there as well. Thanks for the comment!

[@grizzdog]

Glad to see you're wearing safety glasses and have on gloves I would recommend something better than tennis shoes though I always wear my steel toe boots when I split wood

[@Freight_Train]

I like the two camera views. I have that maul and I was splitting some oak today about the same size. I'm impressed you can talk throughout your splitting. I'm heaving pretty hard about halfway through. Well done.

[@JackofAllTrades1]

Thanks! This was years ago, and I was in great shape. I made a wood splitting video just last year and there was a huge difference. I'm no longer lumberjack strong, lol

[@pdet1951]

I have the same axe. I just lift it over my head and let it fall on the wood. If you have a crack on the log swing for the crack you can split it a lot easier

[@JackofAllTrades1]

Hey Pat, thanks for stopping bye. I can't believe this video still gets views after all these years. I'm actually planning on making another one of these videos here soon with some large white oak rounds.

[@al3x1252]

I just got my fiskars maul... can t wait to use it.. love my 36" fiskars split axe. Thanks for the video and info!!!

[@JackofAllTrades1]

I hear they are pretty cheap right now too.... Tractor Supply had them for around 40 bucks which considering this used to go for $70... that's a great deal. Let me know what you think when you get to use it.

[@al3x1252]

@@JackofAllTrades1 was able to find it on amazon for $41!! Love it so far. I'm in south Texas and have been using it on mesquite trees... they stand no chance!! Thanks!!

[@JackofAllTrades1]

@@al3x1252 That's an awesome deal for such a useful tool... thanks for sharing :)

[@rvboondocker2559]

Thanks again. Bought it this evening from Lowe’s, $60 out the door. I’ll try it after my morning coffee on a huge green Linden.

[@JustYourAvarageJoe]

I love my fiskers maul i have used mine on spruce, larch ,and fir large rounds

[@JackofAllTrades1]

I've never had a chance to split large pine with it.... we just done have it out here like in the northwest. Thanks for the comment

[@hotpoker4212]

Greetings from the Emerald Isle of Ireland,I use this maul,also the fiskers x27 super splitting axe, great tools,on the big rounds,I put them in a truck tyre,on concrete, you get better energy of your swing this way, one split eit d isocore,and finish them wit d x27, love your videos,🇮🇪🇮🇪

[@JackofAllTrades1]

I’m gonna need to try splitting on the ground, I get a lot of suggestions to do so. Thanks for the tip and comment. Take care.

[@hotpoker4212]

I use the outer skin of truck tyres, with the inner walls removed,placed on a concrete base,fill with rings, you can stack 3or 4 tyres on top of each other,and split away,works great,keeps all the rounds packed tightly,

[@DisgustingJustinAD]

Thank you for sharing this content :D I feel convinced enough that this axe will be fantastic for the massive rounds I got to deal with for the upcoming winter by myself.

[@JackofAllTrades1]

Thanks for the comment.

[@adamsalamon9438]

Great video! Wish someone had told me about the 1/3 approach sooner! Have some red oak I’ve been struggling to split. Went out and followed this advice and ran right through it. Thanks!

[@JackofAllTrades1]

Adam, thats great to hear... I'm glad it worked for you. I had always been splitting down the middle and figured it didn't matter how big the log was, well I was wrong with the big ones and some old timer told me this trick and it works great. Thanks for the comment.

[@woodbalt]

Can you drive a wedge into a tree with him? Fiskars wedge? I have an X 27, so it is written that you absolutely must not hit anything with the other side of the ax. But today I split a birch that my X 27 couldn't split, so I'm thinking of buying a wedge and a hammer or a Fiskars Iso Core 8lb Maul like yours.

[@JackofAllTrades1]

I've used it to hit the backside of my axe to help drive it through. I've never used it on wedges before. Somebody on one of my maul videos posted that it doesn't hold up well to exclusive wedge only use... maybe occasional. That poster suggested just getting a sledge if you wanted to always use wedges to split. Thanks for watching my video and I hope that helps.

[@woodbalt]

@@JackofAllTrades1 Thanks for the reply. My Fiskars X 27 is usually enough for me, but this time the X 27 couldn't split, so I'm thinking of buying a wedge and I'm looking for information on how to drive him into a tree, I won't do that with the X 27, it's a very nice ax for me :)

[@JackofAllTrades1]

@@woodbalt tap the wedge in like you would a nail... except don't put it in the center of the round (unless its less than 12 inches in diameter)... start at the edge of round where it is weaker.

[@whitedobie]

Just an fyi. The sledgehammer side is soft metal. I used one day for wedges and won’t again. I have a sledge hammer for that now. Otherwise, its the best maul I own. IsoCore Shock Control System handle really helps too.

[@JackofAllTrades1]

Thanks for the tip...it’s not something I’ve realized. I’ve used it for wooden stakes and busting ice so far.

[@jagsingh507]

I like my 5 ton log splitter.

[@JackofAllTrades1]

I bet it's a back saver for sure!

[@jagsingh507]

@@JackofAllTrades1 That's the reason, I bought that no using axe.. Save the energy for the wife. Lol 😆

[@austinwebb8986]

Use the sledge end with a splitting spike, bust it up then use an x27 and have a back that doesn't hurt half as bad.

[@JackofAllTrades1]

Austin Webb this thing will wear you out for sure! Thanks for the input.

[@ronan3672]

Can an old man use this axe, or is it too heavy? thanks

[@JackofAllTrades1]

It's super light.. maybe 3lbs tops. I've had commentors in their high 70s and low 80s use it.

[@pdet1951]

I am 72 yrs old and use this same maul. You bring straight over your head and just let it fall don’t put all that extra effort like he was doing. It works better that way and easier

[@jimi4454]

If you follow the grain and understand where the natural seam is going to go, you will be able to split pieces of wood like that in about 50% fewer swings. when you can differentiate between the wood of the bole and the wood of the branch, you can aim your swing very near the weakest point of the round, and will be left with the maximum amount of nice., stackable wood possible, with one gnarly piece, usuallly.

[@JackofAllTrades1]

Jimi4454, check out the video I pinned to the top of the comments section. I shot this one about 2 years after the first and there are some improvements. Thanks for the comment

[@halhunter1335]

@@JackofAllTrades1 Wouldn't it be better to remove an ineffective and counter productive post for all those that don't view the new and improved version?

[@halhunter1335]

Jimi4454 Thank you for making any sense or purpose of this video.

[@JackofAllTrades1]

When you are finished with this video, check out my comparison of the Fiskars Maul and Super Splitting Axe here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mpWygKZ_ltOtpbs

[@hotpoker4212]

Great video, well explained,🇮🇪🇮🇪

[@05ramadi]

I have both the IsoCore maul and the splitting axes.....when I bought them...they split freshly cut red oak with ease...and they didn't need to be resharpened after I bought them...anything I had before I got rid of....I will never buy anything else

[@jhonny94bravo58]

Finally somone with good form and follow through. Just quit doing that bend at the end keep your back straight.

[@dangeloneil3391]

sorry to be off topic but does anyone know of a way to log back into an instagram account? I somehow lost the password. I appreciate any assistance you can offer me!

[@gerardobruno8670]

@Dangelo Neil Instablaster :)

[@danielroden9424]

when you want to be thor and wield stormbreaker

[@rvboondocker2559]

Oh my goodness! This thing is amazing and makes me look real good!

[@JackofAllTrades1]

Glad you like it. :)

[@DropTheBunny]

I had a neighbor ask me to remove a big old red oak from her yard (tree company felled it, but she didnt want to pay to take it away). Told her I'd happily remove it for her haha. Rounds about the size you're busting here. Im telling ya, what a workout haha. I use an 8 lb Husky maul, but I split them down the middle, and quarter them. Have not tried the thirds method you're using here. One thing I like about the Husky maul over this Fiskars is the Husky's profile doesnt allow it to bite into the wood as much, making me expend less energy by not having to pull it out of the wood every swing.

[@JackofAllTrades1]

Yea I had the same situation. Guy had the tree taken down but didn't want to pay to haul it away... I ended up paying him for the wood but I had to buck and haul it out. 100 bucks for almost 4 cords... lasted me almost 2 winters. That's cheap heat!

[@DropTheBunny]

@@JackofAllTrades1 Cant beat that!!! I was fortunate that it was already bucked for me, but I had to haul it all uphill to my truck (she didnt want my truck in her backyard where the rounds were). Still, you wont hear me complaining a bit!

[@JackofAllTrades1]

@@DropTheBunny I love scrounging wood...ppl are paying 4 to 500 a month to heat their home with heating oil and its costing me 30 to 40 bucks lol... not to mention the free workout.

[@DropTheBunny]

@@JackofAllTrades1 Yup! Cant beat it. I'll put out a feeler once in a while that I'll haul away wood and usually get a response or two. I havent paid for firewood in a while. Its not my primary source of heat, but its still nice to have a fire going.

[@PNW_Car_Mods]

Every time I see the Thumbnail for this video pop up I always say Hi Yah in my best Karate accent lol.

[@JackofAllTrades1]

I’m glad my thumbnails are still floating around. With all these ppl at home right now, YT viewership is way up!

[@PNW_Car_Mods]

@@JackofAllTrades1 Same here. :)

[@Todo_swato]

I just bought this at lowes to chop up a big post oak that was taken down in our front yard. How long do you usually wait to let it dry out before splitting? I cut one piece the day it fell and it took forever. Im pretty much new to this, so apologies for the dumb question...

[@JackofAllTrades1]

Leave it in the open where sun and wind can get to it and you’ll notice cracks forming in the middle.. typically in as little as a few days. Some species of wood get harder to split when they dry out but are not seasoned.... others split better as soon as they come down. I think if you let it dry a little and see some cracking (called checking) it will split easier. I plan to make a video here soon showing the three main ways to split wood if you are interested. Good luck

[@chrismckell5353]

I'm new to this too and the only dumb question is the one that you're afraid to ask. Keep watching videos like this and ask people who deal with fire wood and timber cutting most people who know about anything enjoy sharing their knowledge not all but most.

[@jimbrown341]

Want to make it way easier but still as fun? Use a metal wedge and use the back of the maul (I prefer an 8 pound sledgehammer). The key is to find a sledgehammer that has a nice sized head so that it gives you a larger target when wacking the wedge).

[@cosmicbilly]

You can bang wedges with the isocore

[@georgeronnieburnettburnett4684]

Still using thr isocor?Found anything better?

[@JackofAllTrades1]

The only thing I've found better is a wedge and a log splitter... nothing beats this in the maul world though.

[@daviyavi]

Hi, I like working in my yard but I’m new to splitting wood. My landscaper dropped of a truckload of 12” oak rounds. I may get both the super splitter and maul. Would you recommend a lighter maul? I don’t know if my 49yo back can take it.

[@JackofAllTrades1]

If you are new to splitting, I would start with the axe first. If the logs are only 12 inches in diameter then the axe will be plenty. Good luck!

[@jonmcallister2208]

Agreed! The axe is more than enough for 12” oak.... and light as a feather!

[@herrakaarme]

A good amount of firewood from just a single piece of that red oak.

[@JackofAllTrades1]

No kidding, those 3 large rounds gave me almost an 8th of a cord. Those splits lasted so long in the wood stove too.

[@nishaanpatel9985]

It's a beast, i have the x27 and that splits discs with out issue.

[@JackofAllTrades1]

Nishaan Patel Thanks for watching more of my videos, I appreciate folks like you who keep coming back.

[@Pure_KodiakWILD_Power]

good job, brother. i ordered one earlier today, and it was 20 bucks cheaper on amazon than on fiskars' website 🤔🤔🤔 i'll have to give it a close inspection when it gets here....

[@JackofAllTrades1]

You’ll love it, and from what I’ve seen you really can’t find them cheaper than what amazon sells them for. Thanks for the comment.

[@waynejohnson9855]

flip that chunk end for end and it will split through the knot, also letting the wood dry makes splitting it tougher people that doubt that try the dry end of a log and try a fresh cut end. not a fan of the splitting block as your losing the best part of your swing.

[@JackofAllTrades1]

Wayne Johnson thanks for the input ... I ended up splitting that splitting block on the ground like it is, but cut it like a pizza... I was surprised how easy that was. Take care

[@waynejohnson9855]

@@JackofAllTrades1 i try whatever to see if it works better because i am all for easier as i do 100 full cord a winter. you take care also.

[@JackofAllTrades1]

Wayne Johnson 100, cords! You must never sleep.

[@Baffi_]

Only downside I found, is I’m out of shape and can’t swing an 8lber around all day 😂

[@JackofAllTrades1]

@Baffi_ me too now brother....me too!

[@kichinko]

I just got done splitting the same size rounds with it, going straight at the middle, halving, then quartering and so on - I'm a big fucking dude though. Love this maul

[@JackofAllTrades1]

These rounds were tough because they were so green... probably 30 percent water. Had I let them sit for a while and start to crack then the middle would of been a good option. Thanks for the comment.

[@woodnyardjunkie]

Can't beat the isocore! Just be careful that bad boy doesn't come back into your shin. Better if the bottom round is bigger so no swing through or just keep the round on the ground and split it. Love red oak splits very easy.

[@mattfogarty8144]

One word... wedges

[@timoschatzinikolaou5046]

It will help if you aim straight across the grain of the wood, as you see it from above, instead of being parallel with the growth rings. Regardless of that great video

[@JackofAllTrades1]

Timos Chatzinikolaou thanks for the comment. For these larger logs I have more luck chipping away at the log parallel to the growth rings. For smaller logs I just split down the middle like you suggest.

[@timoschatzinikolaou5046]

@@JackofAllTrades1 Alright! I get it now, it might also depend on the type of wood but if you found that this method works better keep it going! Cheers friend!

[@JackofAllTrades1]

@@timoschatzinikolaou5046 Check this video out I did about two years back.... I was cutting against the growth ring like we spoke of....I got A LOT of flack off this video lol... I grew up always splitting down the middle but I never ... ever... had big logs so I had to adapt oncie I moved up here to NH kzbin.info/www/bejne/l6m7m2CZotWai9U I hope you stick around, spring is coming up and I have some more ideas for content. Have a good weekend

[@timoschatzinikolaou5046]

@@JackofAllTrades1 Thank you for taking the time to respond, have a good weekend too!

[@JackofAllTrades1]

@@timoschatzinikolaou5046 same to you

[@josephkool8411]

I would of broke out my wedge

[@JackofAllTrades1]

Joseph Kool I really want to do a wedge video here soon. Any tips for these large ones? Just start in the middle?

[@rnilazarev2553]

🤝👍👍👍

[@JackofAllTrades1]

👆👍✌️

[@robertbadowski2868]

Nie potrafisz rąbać. Ale dobra gimnastyka

[@JackofAllTrades1]

Robert, my polish isn’t the best but I think you told me I have good gymnastics.

[@jma24]

I use this axe a lot - you need to work on your technique. Here are a few tips for you to KILL rounds of this size. First, you need the block to be lower! All the massive energy from the end of the swing is lost. Cut the lower round in half and get the round you are hitting lower to the ground. Second, I like to swing this maul much more like a regular axe. I bring it over and round my head and down fast with both hands at the handle end. Lastly, you need to bend the knees at the end to get a bit of extra speed with your triceps. With this maul if you can increase the head speed, it will obliterate big rounds. Using this technique I can split 24" maple with a single hit, and that's a lot harder to split than oak, which is a pretty friendly wood.

[@JackofAllTrades1]

Thanks for the tips... I need to try splitting them on the ground like so many have suggested.

[@jma24]

@@JackofAllTrades1 I don't like that suggestion because the maul is so powerful it often goes through the round and you need a backstop. Better to have a large 6" thick round behind so you don't ruin the blade. Unlike other mauls this splitting maul relies on having a sharp edge. Just split a cord of very dry cold white ash and I'm feeling good!

[@pumpjack5]

N

[@JackofAllTrades1]

Interesting perspective you bring, I never even considered that.

[@sdmc1972]

i hate the isocore maul i dont like how it swings,i dont like the dull thud when it hits, not to mention ive split probably 20 logs like the ones your splittling and the handle wiggles around in the head

[@JackofAllTrades1]

That doesn't sound like the way mine works, it's like yours had worked itself loose. I agree it is sorta like a thud when it hits.