1844 Helko Werk GermanyHandforged German Twisted Steel Splitting Wedge - 4.5 lbs Log Splitter Wedge for Splitting Firewood - Firewood Splitter Wood Splitter Tool #1342

This wedge split 30” long X 18” wide rounds with relative ease. Buy a good engineers hammer to set it and use a sledge to hammer it through the round. It’s pricey for sure, but it’ll last and maybe one day your grandchildren will use it.

This is an excellent wedge. Works much better than the cheap farm store wedge and the steel holds up to the sledge much better as well. I also have the Gransfors wedge, which is smaller and lighter. The Gransfors may be a bit easier to start and to drive, being thinner; the Helko ultimately spreads the wood farther and is therefore more likely to split the tough-to-split species. They make a good combination but if I had to choose one it would be the Helko.

Well made. Works great. Pricey compared to other options but you get what you pay for!

The 1844 Helko Werk wedge splits large diameter logs very well. It will also split tough knotty/gnarly rounds but with some extra effort.As mentioned this wedge is an excellent companion to smaller more acute angled wedges such as the GB 460. The more acutely sharpened angled wedges can get a crack started easier in the large gnarly rounds. The Helko Werk wedge can then be used to further widen the crack until the round finally splits apart.The steel used in this piece appears to be high quality. I have used this wedge for several years and it takes hard hits well with no signs of mushrooming. I would have given it 5 stars if it came with a sheath to protect the sharp edge. In summary, this tough well made wedge seems to be especially suitable for splitting large rounds over about 14”or knotty/gnarly rounds of any reasonable size. Well worth the extra $.

I have used this several times and it is fantastic.