Innovation – SURE SPLIT® WEDGE from Estwing splits logs with a difference

My Estwing drywall hammer has served me well through drywall projects both large and small. One of the drywall tricks I learned was to put a band of tape around the handle to help mark the separation between nails. This hammer “has a bonded and molded Shock Reduction Grip® which offers the utmost in both comfort and durability, while reducing vibrations caused by impact.” I still revert to a utility knife when it comes to scoring; I don’t quite have it down to score the drywall with the blade on the other end of the hammer.

Now that Fall has set in, it’s time for me to get to the log pile and begin splitting what I cut down this Summer. We have a fireplace insert with a cooktop that heats the downstairs (and drifts upstairs at night) and offers a great surface for slow cooking. I look forward to the cold weather; I just finished re-touching the paint on the cooktop with high temperature paint.

Since I tend to put axes from Estwing in the camper category, I was surprised to find a new style of splitting wedge from them. I was looking for something that would split logs better than the two wedge techniques I use on some of the more stubborn logs. I can’t justify a power wood-splitter, and I tell myself that the exercise helps relieve the stress of the workweek.

The SURE SPLIT® WEDGE is described as: “This unique 5 lb wedge has a revolutionary concept in design which makes splitting wood fast and easy. This wedge has a fast taper head for easy starting. The Sure Split® fins permit extra wedge action and the sledge will continue through out below the wood line for sure splitting.” After looking closely at the rocket ship appearance and fins, I can envision how this would be an advantage over the traditional wedges, sledgehammer, and splitting axe I use now.

Comments

[Gregory Schmitz]

I have used the Estwing wedge and I like the basic design and function very well. It gets deep enough to set, then the fins really spread the log so you can continue to follow it on down with the maul to finish the job (if its not split apart).

Basically its terrific.

It has two faults and I wrote Estwing about them.

One its a bit too soft. You can see the top denting and if not a dead on strike, the edges start to fold over. I can see that as an advantage in being sacrificial and not damaging the maul head or sledge head, but it should be more resistant than that as I have only done 12 logs with it.

The other part is when you get to the fins, if the log has not split (cracked but under tension) the wedge bounces back out rather than goes further in.

Some ripples, ridges or barbs are needed about 1 to 2 inches below where the fins start and running up the fins themselves.

Its a terrific idea and tool, and I am sure I can keep it cleaned up with the grinder, but I would hope to have a seasons use out of it before that.

Get two of them (or three for a really large dismaer) and nothing stops them.

[Peter]

Update by the author (PK)

If you liked this blog Post, you may enjoy this one as well:

"Innovation - Chainsaw stump vise makes for easier sharpening of chains"

This blog Post features the Husqvarna Stump Vise and one from Northern Tool.

http://salesbarriers.typepad.com/one_goal_revenue_generati/2008/12/innovation-chainsaw-stump-vise-makes-for-easier-sharpening-of-chains.html

[Craig B]

This Estwing wedge is bar-none the best design on the planet. I have used mine for YEARS (I can't even recall if it was handed down from my Dad?), and while I've started shopping to buy another due to the 'mushrooming' that has occured - it has endured tens of 1000's of strikes, and finished the job where many ordinary wedges were simply embedded in wood. Thank goodness for American steel too!!! But the fins on this are the true genius - thankfully no foreign co. has introduced a cheap imitation to confuse the unknowing. If you are looking for a wedge, do yourself a favor and get one of these - it's the next best thing to a power splitter.