Moving In and Assessing the Property
When we moved into our house, I naturally took some time to inspect our 10 acres. It didn’t take long to notice that the previous owner had cut down a lot of dead eastern white pine. There were piles of large logs scattered around the front yard near the pines. At the time, I only had a Fiskars splitting axe—no fancy log splitter to speak of.
Heating with Our Wood Stove
We decided early on that we wanted to heat our home, at least partially, with our wood stove. Ever since moving in, that’s exactly what we’ve done. All the wood we burn comes right from our property, mostly from storm damage, branch trimmings, and the like.
The Challenges of Splitting by Hand
During that first year, I split a lot of wood by hand with my Fiskars axe. Let me tell you, it took forever. I’m talking hours upon hours, day after day. Sure, swinging that axe was a fantastic workout—I’ll give it that. My sore muscles were proof that I was getting in some serious cardio. But it wasn’t all rosy. After long sessions, I’d end up with blisters on my hands—painful little reminders that cheap gloves just don’t cut it when you’re doing that kind of work.
Investing in an Electric Log Splitter
The thing is, we’ve got two kids, and we work from home. Spending that much time splitting wood by hand just wasn’t practical. So, the following year, I invested in a Yardmax electric wood log splitter. That machine? Absolutely life-changing. What used to take me an entire week of two-hour sessions with the axe, I could now finish in a couple of hours, all at once. It was a total game-changer. Finally I could be outside splitting a lot of firewood efficiently.
A Quick Tip About Firewood
Now, let me share a quick tip: heating with pine wood is not that great. I only use it as a fire-starter because of the creosote buildup it causes. Always make sure that it has been properly seasoned. For the serious stuff—like oak or hickory—splitting by hand is brutal. That’s where the Yardmax splitter truly shines. It saves me an incredible amount of time and effort.
Splitting Axe vs. Electric Log Splitter
When it comes to splitting firewood, there are two main tools people usually turn to: a good old-fashioned splitting axe or a modern electric log splitter. Both get the job done, but which one’s better for you depends on what you need, how much wood you’re splitting, and your personal preferences.
The Case for a Splitting Axe
A splitting axe is the classic choice—simple, affordable, and reliable. It doesn’t need electricity or fuel, so it’s always ready to go. It’s lightweight and portable, which makes it easy to bring along if you’re cutting wood away from home. Plus, it doubles as a solid workout! That said, using an axe can take a lot of time and effort, especially if you’re staring down a big pile of logs. It’s also not for everyone—it takes some strength and a bit of know-how to use safely and efficiently. I’ve had my fair share of sore muscles due to wood splitting with my Fiskars axe… it can and it does feel like a long workout lifting weights!
The Convenience of an Electric Log Splitter
On the flip side, an electric log splitter is all about making life easier. With the push of a button or pull of a lever, it splits wood quickly and with way less physical effort. If you’re dealing with a large amount of firewood or you just want to save your energy, it’s a fantastic option. The trade-offs? It’s more expensive upfront, needs access to electricity, and isn’t as easy to move around as an axe.
The Warmth of Hard Work
As I’m writing this, I’m sitting beside our wood stove with a fire crackling away. It’s been burning all day to keep us warm during this stretch of severe winter weather here on the PA/OH border, right near Lake Erie. Every single log in that fire came from fallen oaks on our property, all split with my Yardmax log splitter. Honestly, there’s no better heat than this!