Ben H said:
I bought a bunch to use with my driver. If they have any rot on the end, it is rotten in the middle. Once you hit a rock or clay they will explode. They are heavy and a pain to sharpen. They dull a chainsaw very quick.
I had a semi load of hardwood ones. Only slabbed on two sides, some quite wide. I found a kinda 'radical' point---like maybe 45%--drove as easy as longer taper and less to cut.
Less apt to split if top was square. two wraps with wire and stapled before hitting it helps keep it from splitting. Full stroke is easier on them than 'tapping', it seems if they'll move at all, they're less apt to split.
hard and nasty on chain saws. About every thing about them is nasty. You can get a carbide chain for about 3x normal price. But can't sharpen it with regular tools. If you're in helena area, marks-miller has 'reject' posts that are structurally good, but ugly for very good price.