5 Best Slide-Hammer Log Splitters

A slide-hammer log spitter is a clever invention meant to keep you safe while spitting rounds of wood. The traditional way of splitting firewood is with a splitting axe or maul.

Both of which involve you, the chopper, swinging and sharp and heavy tool. I shouldn’t have to say this but swinging an axe can be dangerous. It’s relatively safe with proper care and common sense, but accidents happen. 

With a slide-hammer, your chances of getting hurt are greatly reduced.

A slide-hammer log splitter is a tool with a handle or weight which is lifted up and pulled downward, transmitting force upon impact. The wedge at the cutting end never moves from the place you set it.

This eliminates the chance of glancing blows entirely. This is why so many people are opting for this tool instead of a splitting axe.

This page is meant to compare the top 5 slide-hammer log splitters. I’ll give you some information about the company behind the tool, a short review of each one, and I will finish by providing a link where you can purchase the splitters online.

Image	Length	Weight	Brand
	47″	19.8 lbs	Logosol Smart-Splitter
	32″	10 lbs	Roughneck Manual Splitter
	32″	13.9 lbs	Anaconda 878 Slide-Hammer
	58″	13 lbs	Woodwiz Splitter
	33″	13.7 lbs	Timber Tuff Log Splitter

My Top Pick – Logosol Smart-Splitter

I had a hard time choosing my favorite splitter; it came down to this one and the Roughneck Manual Splitter. As you can see, I decided to go with the Logosol smart-splitter. It’s the only slide-hammer on this page which can’t be transported easily.

That’s because it’s designed to be attached to a piece of wood or something similar. While some people might be discouraged by this, I see it as a positive. You don’t have to search through your garage to find it and it stands on its own when you get tired and need a break.

The reason it’s my top choice is that it has a nice-sized pole, which gives you a bigger range of motion. This allows you to generate more force each time you slide the weighted attachment.

Having more force per strike means you can split firewood faster. Not only that, the Logosol Smart-Splitter works well with logs and kindling. You can use this one tool for splitting both firewood and kindling.

About Slide-Hammer Log Splitters & Other Tools

I enjoy writing about new and different splitting tools. For me, it’s fun. The Slide-Hammer Log Splitter is no exception. I like to present to you, the reader, every piece of helpful information I can so you will come back to this website the next time you need forestry-related information.

I said that because I want to be perfectly clear about these products; they’re not for everyone. And I’ll tell you why…

The reason you might not enjoy using a slide-hammer log splitter is that they’re labor intensive and loud. With an axe or splitting maul, one or two swings is usually all it takes to split is a round of wood.

With a slide-hammer, you’ll be striking the wood at least twice as much, probably more. Lifting and pulling that weighted handle over and over again is tiring. It’s a lot of work. Not only that, the two pieces of metal clanking together is very loud. Loud enough that I suggest using some kind of ear protection.

A slide-hammer log splitter’s selling point is the safety. It is generally safer than swinging an axe. Also, you don’t need gas or electric to power it. It’s something you can use anywhere; at home or camping in the woods.

All of these aspects are great reasons to get one. I just want you to be aware of the common complaints about these products.

The Best Slide-Hammer Log Splitters Reviewed

There aren’t many differences in three of the products listed below, aside from price. All of them are well-built from heavy-duty materials. I’ve selected my favorites but remember, any one of these manual log splitters will do a great job and work as described.

Logosol Smart-Splitter

Once attached to a round of wood, simply set up the Smart-Splitter and start splitting logs (or kindling). The striking weight is the part you lift up and pull down until the wood splits. As you can see in the video above, the Logosol smart-splitters needs to be attached to something.

It’s great if you’re looking for a splitter to keep in the same spot; perhaps by your wood pile. It’s not so great if you’re in need of splitter you can move from one location to another. Don’t get me wrong, you can move the Logosol wherever you want but not as easily the other slide-hammers on this page.

Another great feature of the Logosol is the kindling splitter, which is meant for cutting a smaller piece of wood known as kindling. If you’re in need of a kindling splitter it might be worth giving this tool a try.

• 47-inch in Length
• 19.8 lbs in Weight
• Splits Logs & Kindling

Like I mentioned already, the only draw-back is the need to attach it somewhere. Depending on why you want a slide-hammer log splitter, this might not be a draw-back at all.

Roughneck Manual Log Splitter

The Roughneck Logging company has their own version of a slide-hammer log splitter and this is it. Its design is similar to that of the Anaconda 878 and Timber Tuff. The length is basically the same as the others, coming in around 32.6-inches; 44.5-inch when extended. It weighs slightly less than the other, too.

The total weight of this splitter is just 10 lbs, which is 3 – 4 lbs less than the other two similar products. Here are some of its specs.

• 32.6-inch in Length
• 10 lbs in Weight
• Cushion Grip helps absorb shock
• Heavy-Duty Construction

Perhaps one of the main drawbacks to using a slide-hammer over a splitting maul or axe is the noise. Many people complain about the loud clanking sound. I suggest wearing some earplugs or earmuffs if possible.

Aside from that, this log splitter is a handsome tool. It is heavily constructed with only a few parts so the chances of it breaking are slim.

Anaconda 878 Slide-Hammer Manual Log Splitter

The Anaconda 878 slide-hammer log splitter is one of my favorite options because of its ease-of-use and, of course, the price. While it might not be the best-made all around, it’s quality is more than good enough to complete the task at hand while saving you some money along the way.

With an overall length of 32-inches, the Anaconda 878 is great for most people. If you’re exceptionally tall, however, you may want to go with the Logosol or Woodwiz splitter because of their extra length. Completely extended, this tool is only around 45 inches in length and just over 32 inches when collapsed.

• 32-inch in Length
• 13.9 lbs in Weight
• Rubber Grip / Handle
• Heavy-Duty Construction

The Anaconda 878 really excels in simplicity. It has a heavy-duty construction using quality materials. It has very few parts; just a weighted handle attached to the steel bar with a wedge on the end. It’s not something you’ll have to worry about breaking down on you.

Woodwiz Splitter

The Woodwiz Splitter has quite a unique design in comparison to the others. It’s built similar to that of the Smart-Splitter but doesn’t need to be mounted or attached to something. Instead of the entire handle being the weighted driving attachment, it has a smaller steel ring.

With a 58-inch pole mounted on top of a hefty splitting wedge, the Woodwiz splitter is noticeably different. It’s the red ring attached to the steel pole which moves up and down; not the entire handle.

Having one hand positioned on the handle at the top and your other hand holding the weighted ring, simply lift up and push down.

This gives you the ability to slide the weight with one hand instead of two. Also, having a taller pole allows you to generate more force. The Woodwiz splitter is at least a foot longer than the Roughneck, Anaconda 878, and Timber Tuff slide-hammers. Listed below are some of the specs.

• 58-inch in Height
• 13 lbs in Weight
• Rubber Grip / Handle
• Heavy-Duty Construction

The Woodwiz Splitter has a nice design and its well-built, too.

Timber Tuff Manual Log Splitter

The Timber Tuff Tool company are experts in all things timber-related. They make a large number of chainsaw accessories, logging tools, tongs, protective gear, and more. One of their products, as you can see, is their manual log splitter. It’s very much like the Anaconda 878 and Roughneck splitter in terms of design but with some small differences.

For starters, its an inch longer, coming in at 33-inches in length. That length is not with the handle extended, by the way. It has a total of 11.5 inches of slide travel, bringing the extended length to around 44-inches. It weighs just under 14 lbs and has a black powered coat finish.

• 33-inch in Length
• 13.7 lbs in Weight
• Heavy-Duty Construction

This is the final slide-hammer log splitter on the list. It has a very similar design to the Roughneck and Anaconda 878 but it’s worth considering.

Conclusion

So, in wrapping things up I think its safe to say there are several good options available. Whether you’re looking for a fixed splitting device like the Logosol product or you want something with more mobility, you have a few options to choose from.

If you want something you can move around easily, I recommend getting the Roughneck Manual Log Splitter but if mobility doesn’t matter to you, the Smart-Splitter is my favorite. I hope this page helped you in one way or another. If so, please consider sharing with family and friends.