I saw and split by hand every year approximately 23 cubic meters of firewood of all species. In addition to plastic wedges and the usual metal wedges (not recommended for metal on metal) keyed but this often, so they fixed wedges arrived at twisted, fibrous, causing constant, large pieces of wood only by further wedge measures free. Gap ax I made very excellent experiences so far with Fiskars, particularly the large Fiskars, I now ordered me this riving knife. With a metal Maul (3kg) this wedge is easy to collect in the timber, the circular polymer impact head is to make good. However, burst / break even at 20 blows the outer edges 2-4mm toward the center of a percussion head, but this is to get over, because the rest of the impact surface of the plastic head of polymer is not damaged. The splitting power generated is enormous, so that tree represent pieces of 60x60 cm, where a gap may already fail ax, no significant problems. Longer stems are sawn with a chainsaw on the cut surface in order to recover at this point the wedge. The wear of the head remains within the frame, and you can always buy more than these spare parts. I'm working now only with this Fiskars Wedge and have ordered a second one, because with very large pieces of wood, a counter-wedge must be set.
However, I have the associated Fiskars Spalthammer with polymer plastic head in use which also actually to fit and wear significantly reduces. Is the better choice, even if a metal Spalthammer may well use the riving knife. If you do not yet. As always, you can indeed argue about prices, but considering the excellent splitting force, as well as the processing, I can only recommend buying. Quality just has its price!
