Splitting Axe vs Maul: Main Difference and Which One is Best?
The Splitting axe and the Splitting maul are the most popular two tools that are used to split wood. They have a main difference in size, quality, blade, and head if they are used for the same purpose. People are very confused about the difference between Splitting Axe vs Maul.
The features of the splitting axe and maul are different if you want to split the smaller and softer wood with a shorter handle and sharper cutting head then use the splitting axe. On the other hand, if you want to split the longer, harder, or knotty wood with a large handle and hammer-like edge then maul is perfect because of its power and durability.
What is Splitting Axe?
A splitting axe is a cutting tool that is mostly used to split wood fibers. It has two parts, one is a tapered head that is made of metal and the second is a handle made of wood. These axes are durable and the best choice for splitting wood.
These axes are traditional and have a sharp edge that can split the wood more forcefully and deeply when you apply force through the head. There are many splitting axes available in different sizes and materials (iron, copper, steel) in the market.
What is Splitting Maul?
A splitting maul is also a cutting tool that looks like an axe but it’s a minor change than an axe. The maul has two parts one side looks like a sledgehammer the other side looks like an axe. It’s used to split wood fibers along the grain and also for chopping and pounding.
The maul has a long handle and a large wedge-shaped head. While the blades wedge-shaped are the most prevalent, today semi-wedge and cone blades have gained more popularity because the blunt poolside resembles a hammer.
What is the Difference Between Splitting Axe vs Maul
These splitting tools look the same and people are confused about them but they are different from each other. Let’s discuss the difference between them.
| Features | Splitting Axe | Splitting Maul |
| Weight | The typical weight of the splitting axe is between 3 and 6 pounds. | The weight of the splitting maul ranges between 6 to 8 pounds. |
| Designed | Splitting Axe is designed to cut and split wood along the grain. | Maul Axe is designed to cut the wood. |
| Blade | This axe has a thinner, narrower, and sharper blade and the head is often wedge-shaped with a slightly curved cutting edge. | Splitting maul has a heavier and blunter head and the head is sledgehammer-shaped with a flat convex striking face. |
| Physically Effort | It requires less effort and is easy to swing with. | It required more physical force and stronger swing due to its heavy weight. |
| Used | Axes are used to split small to medium-sized woods. It also splits the straight grain and manageable knots. | These axes are used to split large and tough woods. It is especially used to split irregular grain, knots, or dense hardwood. |
| Well-organized | Splitting Axes are efficient in making clean and accurate splits in wood as a result of sharp and narrower blades. | Split wood with a difficult grain pattern that mauls is effective at producing more force, crushing blows |
| Warranty | These axes are not more durable. | These axes are long-lasting. |
What are the benefits of splitting axe vs maul?
Splitting axes and maul both have benefits according to their quality, size, and use. Here are the benefits that are listed below.
| Splitting Axe | Splitting Maul |
| These axes are more versatile and are commonly used to perform different tasks like splitting smaller wood, the kindling process, and chopping tasks. | Mauls perform heavy tasks easily. Their wider, blunter heads enable more splitting for tough wood. |
| Due to its lightweight, it performs multiple tasks in a short time. | It performs more efficiently when dealing with dense or challenging woods. |
| Due to their sharp blade that can split wood faster. | They are durable for performing wood-splitting tasks. |
| Axes are easy to carry so, easily used for outdoor activities. | There is no chance of a dangerous situation because the head is less likely to get stuck in the wood. |
What are the pros and cons of the splitting axe and maul?
These axes are designed for cutting wood but they both perform different tasks according to their design. So, let’s explain the pros and cons of both one by one.
| Splitting Axe Pons and Cons | |
| Pros | Cons |
| An axe can be used for multiple tasks like splitting smaller to medium-sized wood, kindling, and some chopping tasks. | Its thinner blades are more prone to cutting and chipping the very hard wood. |
| These axes are easy to use due to their lightweight. | Axes are lightweight and may require more force to split the wood. |
| Axe has a thinner and sharper blade. | An axe is not durable. |
| Axe splits wood quickly because of its thinner blade and sharper edge. | |
| Maul Axe Pons and Cons | |
| Pros | Cons |
| This tool can be used to split the harder, large, and heavy wood. | Mauls are heavier with their weight. |
| Mauls are durable and are designed for heavy use and used to cut the harder wood. | They are less suitable to perform multiple tasks. |
| The Maule head is less likely to get stuck in the wood reducing the chances of a dangerous situation. | Mauls are less versatile and cannot be more effective for chopping and kindling tasks. |
What are the prices of splitting axe vs maul?
The Price of the splitting axe vs maul depends on the quality, material, size, and brand. There are some common prices listed below. Splitting Maul is available at the same price as splitting axes but mauls are larger tools and use more material.
Splitting Axe Detail
| Quality | Basic | Mid-Range | High-Quality | |
| Prices of splitting axe | $25 to $50 | $50 to $100 | $100 to $200 | $200 & Above |
| Length Longer Edge | Up to 13.9 Inches | 14 inches to 16.9 | 17 to 19.9 Inches | 20 Inches $ Above |
| Item Width Shorter Edge | Up to 4.9 Inches | 5 to 5.9 Inches | 6 to Above | |
| Blade Material | Alloy Steel | Carbon, High Carbon Steel | Stainless Steel | Forged Steel |
| Head Type | Hatchet | Felling | Throwing | Viking |
Splitting Mauls Detail
| Quality | Basic | Mid-Range | High-Quality |
| Prices of splitting axe | $25 to $50 | $50 to $100 | $100 to $200 |
| Length Longer Edge | Up to 13.9 Inches | 20 inches | 20 to above |
| Item Width Shorter Edge | Up to 4.9 Inches | 5 to 6.9 Inches | 6 to 6.9 Inches |
| Blade Material | Alloy Steel | Carbon Steel | Stainless Steel |
| Head Type | Hatchet | Felling | Splitting Maul & Viking |
Which one is best for splitting Axe or Maul?
After a deep study of the splitting axe vs mauls can easily you decide which one is better for your tasks. If you don’t want to work continuously then use a splitting axe, to break the wood into pieces. If you are not satisfied with it, then use the maul to accurately use blunt splitting which is used to cut the hardest wood.
But overall both perform different tasks so it’s up to you which one is better for your desire.
- Splitting axes is more accurate for splitting the wood that is not heavier weight. The reason is that you may be tired by using the maul because of its weight but by using the splitting axe you will split the wood quickly for a large amount.
- You can split the large woods much more easily by using a maul, so it’s also the best option for you to fall a tree.
- On the other hand, people used both tools to perform the different wood-cutting scenarios.
Wind Up
Remember that the splitting axe vs maul both offer better quality and are long-lasting. However, it’s up to your wood-splitting needs and budget to determine which one is exactly to your desire.
Both tools are used for different purposes with their requirements. It’s important to keep a balance between their quality, features, benefits, and well-performing wood-splitting tasks.
for more information visit voxblend.com
