ESTWING Fireside Friend Axe - 14 Wood Splitting Maul with Forged Steel Construction & Shock Reduction Grip - E3-FF4 and E-5 5 Lb Sure Split Wedge , Blue

Great tool to add to arsenal. Only problem I had was trying to decide to purchase the blue or black.

I purchased this mini splitting maul because I was looking for something to split firewood logs into smaller pieces and kindling while camping. After always seeing friends desperately struggle with their hatchets to split even small logs, I figured this would be the perfect tool and it was. I trusted estwing quality since Ive used their geologic hammer/picks my whole career. This tool does exactly as the name and description implies. The weighted head and fat wedge design reall gives the needed momentum to cleave through the entire length of the log. As someone whos never really split a lot of wood this was incredibly easy to use, and even my friend whos doesnt camp very often was able to split logs with minimal effort. People who had brought their own camping hatchets, which are really not designed for splitting, were asking to borrow the Fireside Friend because of how well it worked. I couldnt have been happier with this purchase.

Works, but be sure you want a handle this short, even for just chopping kindling. You will get bad splinters in your hand from wood exploding if you dont wear good gloves. if you have room for it, just get a splitting axe. MUCH easier on the swing, aim, and work over time. if not, this works well for splitting medium logs or breaking down bigger firewood.

We discovered this little gem when visiting family in Michigan. They had one. So, what do you buy a man who has everything? His own Fireside Friend, of course!!! We keep it in our RV and have used it all over the country. Our neighbor saw ours recently and drooled so we bought him one, too. You cant go wrong...but watch your fingers as this thing is sharp!

This thing is a monster! Wood was a flyin while i used this. I recommend this to anyone who wants to make their already cut lumber, smaller. Its perfect!

Really love this scary beast, it serves as an axe and hatchet if you use it right. I can honestly see it replacing a 5-7lb axe which Ive always found an awkward intermediate between a 7-10lb maul and....this thing, fills a niche I didnt know about. As you can see in the photos it works on soft wood like pine as well as hardwood; on hardwood Id rather a maul just for how hard it is on the body. Though with avocado, oak and even some pieces of pine, if you have to, Id double clutch for control because it will fly off and kill your WHOLE family. I choke up really far on the handle and give the wood a little tappy to make kindling. The shock grip works phenomenally at keeping your fillings in place. I added a little lanyard because I like to pamper my equipment. Definitely recommend this, Ill be grabbing a hatchet and splitting maul by Estwing right quick.

I split some well-seasoned ash with it this season. Would recommend getting a 3lb or heavier rubber mallet to aid with the stubborn splits

Excellent product. Works great.

I give this three stars for the following reasons. 1. the sheath is small and does not have a belt loop, i was disappointed by this. 2. I cant actually verify that it has a leather handle, At best its wrapped with thin leather strips that have then been laquered. 3. its not lightweight, but its a 4 lbs. maul, if you want lightweight, get a hatchet. I have not yet put this to use, but i am certain it will do the job. I cant attest to its durability yet but i have a few other estwing tools and they have been quite durable so i can almost garantee that this will also, unless they have gotten cheap on their products like many other companies have. If that is the case i will be sure to update my review.

this is the perfect size and weight for final splitting kindling alongside the fire or wood stove.