Having used several types of splitting mauls over the years I've been very happy with a Fiskar's splitting axe: Amazon.com
Splitting Maul replacing with newer
After having a ground source heat pump installed I figured my days of buying and dealing with wood was coming to a close but we have had several trees die off and need to be handled. I had cut a couple of them up and initially thought I'd just burn them up with brush but seemed wasteful so decided to work on splitting them. My splitting maul was a hand-me-down from my step father, one that I cracked the fiberglass handle when I was a teenager and seems my aim hasn't gotten any better as I again cracked a piece of the handle off and eventually the maul came off the handle. So decided to order a new one, decided on the Big Ox which I haven't used yet...it came in but the handle is busted in shipping so requesting a replacement. In watching some video reviews I've seen this beauty, Helko Vario 2000 anyone have any experience with it. The Big Ox(Gedore or Ochsenkoph) feels heavier than the maul I've been using...feels like a beast but was thinking maybe having something lighter for the smaller stuff might make my days better...not getting any younger. I see that many people here are impressed with the Fiskars products and I was looking into the IsoCore...especially with the warranty but with my tendency to overshoot my aim and damage the handle myself which I don't think the warranty will cover I decided to look at models that have a guard for that...and I hope to improve my aim but at my age it's probably going to get worse as the eyesight gets worse. 
Also I have another maul where the handle is loose so didn't even try using it, starting to look at videos on how to replace the handle but if anyone has tips on replacing a handle I'd appreciate it. Not going to replace the fiberglass one but figure I should try and restore the other one I have. Doesn't seem like installing a new handle would be too hard just never done it before.
Also I have another maul where the handle is loose so didn't even try using it, starting to look at videos on how to replace the handle but if anyone has tips on replacing a handle I'd appreciate it. Not going to replace the fiberglass one but figure I should try and restore the other one I have. Doesn't seem like installing a new handle would be too hard just never done it before.
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I've used the Fiskars and so far, haven't had any handle damage after several years.After having a ground source heat pump installed I figured my days of buying and dealing with wood was coming to a close but we have had several trees die off and need to be handled. I had cut a couple of them up and initially thought I'd just burn them up with brush but seemed wasteful so decided to work on splitting them. My splitting maul was a hand-me-down from my step father, one that I cracked the fiberglass handle when I was a teenager and seems my aim hasn't gotten any better as I again cracked a piece of the handle off and eventually the maul came off the handle. So decided to order a new one, decided on the Big Ox which I haven't used yet...it came in but the handle is busted in shipping so requesting a replacement. In watching some video reviews I've seen this beauty, Helko Vario 2000 anyone have any experience with it. The Big Ox(Gedore or Ochsenkoph) feels heavier than the maul I've been using...feels like a beast but was thinking maybe having something lighter for the smaller stuff might make my days better...not getting any younger. I see that many people here are impressed with the Fiskars products and I was looking into the IsoCore...especially with the warranty but with my tendency to overshoot my aim and damage the handle myself which I don't think the warranty will cover I decided to look at models that have a guard for that...and I hope to improve my aim but at my age it's probably going to get worse as the eyesight gets worse.
Also I have another maul where the handle is loose so didn't even try using it, starting to look at videos on how to replace the handle but if anyone has tips on replacing a handle I'd appreciate it. Not going to replace the fiberglass one but figure I should try and restore the other one I have. Doesn't seem like installing a new handle would be too hard just never done it before.
As far as replacing the handles, the hardest part is getting the old one out and cleaning up any rust inside. I've done both wood and fiberglass replacements. Once you have a clean head, I test fit wood so the handle protrudes through and there is a decent fit all the way through. You can tap the handle and remove it to check for marks where it's tight. I use a rasp or file to get a good fit. Make sure you have the handle at the angle you like. Once it's well fitted, tap the handle in fairly tight. Drive the wood wedge into the cut in the handle. It's nice to have a square punch or metal that is the same width as the wedge. That locks the handle in the head. Then drive the metal wedge at an angle across the wood wedge to lock the metal wedge. Cut off any extra handle coming through the head although I don't mind a half inch or so extra.
Fiberglass handles are actually easier to install- test fit, mix up the epoxy and fill in the gaps. You do need the head to be clean for the expoxy to stick to the head. Something like a Dremel tool with a brush or sanding disk is helpful.
You can get rubber handle protectors the slide down to the head.
I bought a 8lbs fiskars as well a few months ago. I'm not renowned for my aim so it handled plenty of miss hits without issue. In very cold weather too. You can also wrap some paracord(or any kind of heavy weather resistant rope) uder the axe head to help absorb some hits if that's a worry.
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