Maul vs Splitting Axe vs Felling Axe: What’s Different

It’s no secret that there are many different types of axes. Each has a specific purpose, and each is designed for a different type of cutting. In this article, we will take a look at the three most common types of axes (the maul, the splitting axe, and the felling axe) and compare and contrast their features.

If you are interested in finding out the difference between a maul, a splitting axe, and a felling axe, then read on.

What is the Difference Between a Maul, Splitting Axe, and a Felling Axe?

Before we start comparing their features side by side, let’s take a quick look and understand how are these three tools different from each other.

• Maul: A maul is a heavy tool that is used for splitting wood. It has a long handle and a heavy head, which makes it very effective in breaking large logs into smaller pieces.
• Splitting Axe: A splitting axe, on the other hand, is a tool that is designed specifically for splitting wood. It has a thinner head and a shorter handle, which makes it easier to control.
• Felling Axe: A felling axe is an axe that is used for cutting down trees. It has a sharp blade and a long handle, which makes it perfect for felling trees.

Maul Vs Splitting Axe Vs Felling Axe

Now that we have a better understanding of how these three tools are different from each other, let’s take a look at their features side by side and see how they compare.

The Difference in the Head

We will start off with the head of the axe. The head is the part of the axe that does the cutting. The head of a maul is heavy and blunt. This makes it very effective in breaking apart large logs. The head of a splitting axe is thin and sharp. This makes it very effective in splitting wood. The head of a felling axe is sharp and designed for cutting down trees.

Now it’s up to you to decide which one you should pick depending on the task you will perform with your tool. If your job is splitting firewood for your campfire, then, under such conditions, a maul will be the right choice for you.

However, of you are looking for something that can help you with a little bit of cutting as well as wood splitting then a splitting axe is the right tool to go for. Last but not least, if you want to cut down large trees, then you should get a felling axe.

Difference In the Handle

The next thing that differentiates these tools from each other is the difference in their handles. The handle is the part of the axe that you will be holding while using the tool. The handle of a maul is long.

This gives you more leverage, which makes it easier to break apart large logs. The handle of a splitting axe is shorter. This makes it easier to control the axe while you are splitting the wood. The handle of a felling axe is also long.

This gives you more power to cut through large trees. So, if you are looking for an axe that is easy to control, then a splitting axe is the right choice for you. However, if you need an axe that can provide you with more power, then a felling axe is the right tool for you.

The Difference in the Weight

Another thing that differentiates these three tools from each other is the difference in their weight. A maul is a heavy tool. This makes it difficult to carry around. However, this also makes it very effective in breaking apart large logs.

A splitting axe is a light tool. This makes it easy to carry around. However, this also makes it less effective in breaking apart large logs. A felling axe is a heavy tool. This makes it difficult to carry around. However, this also makes it very effective in cutting down trees.

So, if you are looking for an axe that is easy to carry around, then a splitting axe is the right choice for you. However, if you need an axe that can provide you with more power, then a felling axe is the right tool for you.

Which is better: splitting axe, felling axe, or splitting maul?

Now that you know the difference between the two tools, you might be wondering which one is the best option for your needs. Well, in such cases, you will need to consider your applications first and ask yourself which tool is better suited for the task that you will be performing.

For instance, if you need an axe for splitting firewood, then a maul would be the better choice for you. However, if you need an axe for cutting down trees, then a felling axe would be the better option. So, it all comes down to your needs and application.

How Sharp is a Splitting Maul?

When it comes to the sharpness of the tool, a splitting maul isn’t very sharp compared to axes. However, due to this, a question comes to mind i.e. how effective is a splitting maul? The effectiveness of a splitting maul doesn’t depend upon the sharpness of its blade.

Why? Because the weight of the head and the length of the handle are a perfect combination that makes the tool effective in driving the wedge into the wood and then splitting it apart. If you’ve ever used an axe for splitting wood, then you know that it’s not as easy as it looks like.

You really have to put some muscle into it to get the axe head swinging and then hit the wood in just the right spot so that the axe head doesn’t get stuck. With a splitting maul, on the other hand, all you need to do is lift the maul up and then let it fall down onto the wood.

The weight of the head will do all the work for you. And since the blade isn’t very sharp, there’s no risk of it getting stuck in the wood. So, if you’re looking for an easy-to-use tool for splitting wood, then a splitting maul is the way to go.

Now that we know how effective a splitting maul is, let’s talk about how sharp it is. Like we said before, a splitting maul isn’t very sharp. The blade is designed to be blunt so that it can easily drive the wedge into the wood. And once the wedge is in, the maul can be used to split the wood apart.

When to Use a Splitting Axe Instead of a Splitting Maul?

A splitting axe is a great tool for anyone who regularly splits wood, either for their own personal use or as part of their job. If you need to split a lot of wood, then an axe is definitely the way to go. However, a Maul is also a great tool that serves a different purpose.

If you have never used either of these tools before, then you might be wondering when to use a splitting axe instead of a maul. In general, a splitting axe is going to be better for smaller logs that are not too thick.

If you are trying to split a larger log, then a maul is going to be the better option. The reason being a splitting axe has a thinner blade, which makes it easier to get through the log. A maul has a thicker blade, which is better for larger logs.

However, both of these tools can be used on any size of log, it just depends on what you are trying to achieve. If you need to split a lot of wood quickly, then an axe is definitely the way to go. However, if you are just looking to split one or two logs, then a maul might be the better option.

Can a Splitting Maul be Used for Felling Trees?

You might be wondering whether you can use a splitting maul for felling trees or not. The answer to this question is a big no. There are two main reasons behind it. Firstly, a splitting maul is not as sharp as a felling axe. Therefore, if you intend to use it for such tasks, you won’t be able to finish it properly.

The second reason is that a splitting maul is much heavier than an axe. Therefore, swinging it a few times will be extremely tiring for you. If you are not careful, then you might even end up hurting yourself in the process. So, it is always better to stick to using an axe for felling trees.

This is not to say that a splitting maul cannot be used for other purposes. It can be used for tasks like chopping logs, splitting firewood, etc. However, when it comes to felling trees, it is always better to use an axe.

Can a felling axe be used for splitting?

Felling axes are designed for cutting down trees, so they can be used for splitting wood. However, there are other tools that are better suited for the job, such as a sledgehammer or a maul. If you don’t have either of those tools, you can use a felling axe, but it will take more effort.

This is mainly because the felling axe is designed to cut through wood fibers rather than split them. When you use an axe to split wood, the goal is to create two pieces of wood that are the same size and shape. However, when you use an axe to fell a tree, the goal is to cut through the tree as quickly as possible.

Furthermore, the head of a felling axe is designed to be lightweight so that it can be easily swung. This means that the head of the axe is not as heavy as other splitting tools, which makes it more difficult to use for splitting wood.

In conclusion, a felling axe can be used for splitting wood, but there are better tools available for the job. If you don’t have any other options, then you can use a felling axe, but it will take more effort than using the right tool.

Can you use a maul as a sledgehammer?

The maul is a type of sledgehammer with a long, heavy head and a short handle. It is used for driving stakes, posts, or wedges into the ground, or for splitting wood along the grain. However, it is not as heavy and long as a sledgehammer, so it is not as effective for driving nails or breaking through concrete.

The maul can be used as a sledgehammer, but it is not as effective because it is not as heavy and does not have a long handle. If you need to drive stakes, posts, or wedges into the ground, or if you need to split wood along the grain, the maul is a good choice. If you need to drive nails or break through concrete, the sledgehammer is a better choice.

Maul vs Splitting Axe vs Felling Axe: Which One is Easy to Carry?

The maul is the heaviest and longest of the three tools, so it is the most difficult to carry. The splitting axe is shorter and lighter than the maul, so it is easier to carry. The felling axe is the shortest and lightest of the three tools, so it is the easiest to carry.

If you need to carry one of these tools for a long distance, the felling axe is the best choice. Apart from that, if you have your own vehicle then you can carry either a maul or a splitting axe. However, in the case of wilderness, mostly you will be on foot therefore, it is always better to carry something lightweight to save your energy.

Last Minute Thoughts

In this article, we learned the main differences between Maul vs Splitting Axe vs Felling Axe. To conclude the above information in simple words, a maul is heavier and difficult to carry but can be used for various purposes.

A splitting axe is shorter and lighter, making it easier to carry, but it is mainly used for splitting wood. Lastly, a felling axe is the sharpest and lightest of the three tools, making it the easiest to carry, but it is mainly used for felling trees.

Depending on your needs, you can choose the right tool for the job. If you need to carry one of these tools for a long distance, the felling axe is the best choice. However, if you have your own vehicle, then you can carry either a maul or a splitting axe.