Question 1

what is it made of (steel, iron, aluminum)?

Accepted Answer

"Soft" steel which deforms (is dented) when hammered. Use a magnet and verify iron/steel nature for yourself. After repeated hammering on the top face, the cumulative impacts cause curls of work-hardened steel to form. These curls are much more brittle and and the curls are the dangerous parts that may send chips flying when the maul "misses" the face and hits them at the edges. This is why always wear eye protection, especially with well-used curled edges. Why soft steel? If repeatedly hammer "hard steel", then more likely to damage (break) steel of maul or ax or sledge. Thus, the soft steel is "sacrificial" or protective and safer.

Question 2

Does it come sharpened or just have a slight edge? Would you need to sharpen it after purchase to get a really good edge for splitting?

Accepted Answer

A sharp edge is a weak edge, and matters only for the initial setting of the wedge in wood. As soon as the wedge starts splitting, the angle of split normally ensures the leading edge touches nothing. Wedges spread wood fibers, they don't cut wood fibers. In fact, wedges bouncing back out of wood is largely due to 1) the transition from a ground edge to the wedge shape itself, or 2) ground edges trying to slice through fibers instead of being guided by them. Add to that the danger of sharpened projectiles (as opposed to merely heavy, hard projectiles). A "really good" wedge edge is the dullest that will stand straight and drive true when first set into whatever wood you're splitting. Seriously, you're aiming for the least sharp edge that will stand straight. If the wood is dry, with radial cracks to receive the wedge, edge sharpness is irrelevant.

Question 3

I need something like this but to crack 2 big rocks with a sledgehammer. Any recommendations?

Accepted Answer

Get a couple of cold chisels at the local hardware store... or from Amazon.   I have split my share of rocks, and it strangely therapeutic to see a large rock broken into pieces small enough to be picked up.  Once you find a seam, keep tapping away on it and eventually, good things will happen.  This worked well for me:  “Stanley FATMAX 1-in Cold Chisel.”

Question 4

Why is it blunted?

Accepted Answer

Ours are great, not blunted so not sure what that is about. We used them on 1 ft round sections from a 120 ft. Douglas Fir tree  and are very happy with it. Only used 2 wedges to split the sections. The wedges are sharp and high quality. Would give it 5/5 stars!

Brand	Estwing
Handle Material	Wood
Colour	Blue
Head Type	Splitting Wedge
Item Weight	454 g
Style	Modern
Blade Material	Alloy Steel
Blade Length	9 Inches
Head Weight	5 Pounds
Global Trade Identification Number	00743153711361, 00034139740018
UPC	602460881818 300718497759 743153711361 745332057284 702872612052 637825895926 043952897175 732233469667 745682297248 359627546423 034139740018 300717203825 752913181566 732233459125
Country of Origin	USA
Item model number	E-5
ASIN	B00DT0PEUY

Estwing Sure Split Wedge - 5-Pound Wood Splitting Tool with Forged Steel Construction & 1-7/8" Cutting Edge - E-5

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