The Logmatic ‘wedge axe’ log splitter was developed in Finland as an alternative manual method of splitting logs to using an axe, maul or sledgehammer and wedges. It is basically a method of using a wedge without a sledgehammer on the drop hammer principle. The tool comprises a wedge welded to a hollow bar, inside this slides a solid striking bar. The blade of the wedge is positioned about 3 o” from the edge of a large round or in the middle of a small round and after being “keyed into” the wood with a smart tap of the striking bar, the striking bar is then lifted and brought down sharply, the grip should be relaxed just before the point of impact, both to stop operator from absorbing some of the shock and also not to lose energy in so doing.
There are a number of advantages over other manual methods. It does not require skill and co-ordination between hand and eye, the blade is position exactly where you want it, repeated blows can be made in exactly the same place and the split logs just fall to the ground and do not fly anywhere. It is very safe to use as there is no swing but just an up and down motion.
Furthermore for people with back problems there is no strain as only the arms are used. That said it is recommended that ear defenders are worn for long sessions as a loud clang is caused by the striking bar hitting top of the blade.
It is absolutely brilliant for splitting kindling. Small slivers can be sliced off the side of a round, or small logs can be fitted upright inside the Logmatic Splitting basket or a tyre.
The tool needs to be used on a hard surface such as a roadway, round of wood or couple of breeze blocks. In the case of hard surfaces a piece of ply board is recommended to save the blade from getting blunt.
The Logmatic Logsplitter