Firewood cutting tools can make or break a day of cutting firewood. Let’s discuss the firewood cutting tools I’ve been using to cut ash from three inches to a little over a foot in diameter.
Wetterlings Splitting Maul
The Wetterlings maul is an extremely well-designed splitting maul. The bit transforms to a single ridge as you move up the cheek. This maximizes the splitting force and prevents the maul from sticking to the wood. The butt of the maul is designed for driving wedges, and I occasionally use it to knock logs apart.
I’m not sure Wetterlings sells online anymore. If anyone knows, please comment.
The Husqvarna 32 in. Wooden Handle Splitting Maul has the same attributes as the Wetterlings if you want an excellent splitting maul.
Stihl Hookaroon
The Stihl Hookaroon seemed gimmicky when I first purchased it, but it has become one of my favorite firewood cutting tools.
A Hookaroon is designed to grab and pull logs but not to pick them up. When scrounging for firewood, I punch the hookaroon into the log to get a feel for the condition of the wood. Is it spongy or hard? Spongy logs stay where they are, and hard logs get preferential treatment.
I couldn’t imagine unloading my pickup without the hookaroon on the tailgate. It’s convenient for pulling logs that are just out of reach and prevents an awkward reach over the side of the pickup for those last few logs.
The Splitting Nook
My splitting nook has several features to make splitting firewood easier and more productive.
First, a tire is placed on a log at just the right height off the ground. What that height is for you, I can’t say. You want the tire to be low enough to maximize the power of your swing while minimizing the amount of bending needed to adjust the log you’re splitting.
Second, a 4 x 6 stall mat from Tractor Supply. The mat is 3/4 inch thick and made of rubber. The rubber matt is an excellent addition to the tools needed for cutting firewood. Since I started using these mats, I don’t split wood with my feet sinking in mud or sliding on ice.
Third, a log to the right of my splitting tire for resting the maul against and placing rounds on that need to be split before or removed from the splitting tire.
Finally, the Wetterlings is ALWAYS stored with the handle up, not lying on the ground. Keeping the handle upright keeps it clean, easy to grip and prevents me from bending over all day.
LogRite Steel Saw Buck
The Logrite Steel Sawbuck is a log holder for cutting with a chainsaw wood less than a foot in diameter. It holds the wood at just the right height for sawing and off the ground, keeping my chainsaw sharp.
One of my favorite uses of the Logrite firewood cutting aid log holder is cutting logs under two feet long. The sawbuck is perfect for pieces of wood that are too long for the splitter but so small they move when you try to cut them.
Husqvarna Battery Chainsaw
I’ve been using battery chainsaws because they’re convenient and the logs are right-sized. When I scrounge for firewood, the Wetterlings Splitting Maul and Stihl Hookaroon are by my side.
I own the top-handle Husqvarna T535i XP chainsaw and the rear-handle Husqvarna 540i XP chainsaw.
Battery-powered chainsaws are a life changer for me! Not only do I no longer worry about maintaining a gasoline engine and the condition of the fuel in the motor. I also no longer pull a cord three times to make one cut in a six-inch log.
Pick up the saw, press the button, make the cut, put the saw down. It really is that simple.
Husqvarna battery equipment has an Eco Mode. It’s a lower-power mode that does everything the saw does at full power but for longer and at a lower volume. Both the neighbors and my ears appreciate this feature.
I hope you learned some new firewood cutting tools or perhaps picked up an idea for your wood-gathering endeavors. What’s your favorite firewood cutting tool?