Kindling cracker

[slim67 2,735]

I was wondering if anyone here had one? I’d guess Eric maybe? I ordered one off Amazon and can’t wait to try it. Kindling is getting hard to find on my property and I’d probably end up losing a finger by the hatchet method.

[ebinmaine 67,541]

We've mulled over a few different ways of making kindling. 

We've used the axe. Hatchet. Tried a drill mounted twist splitter... (useless!!). If we had small pieces of light wood leftover from projects that got burned. 

 

Lately the BBT what in charge o' 🔥 fires 🔥 has been using a bit of bark. 

 

When we split the wood it gets put down to a much smaller size than most folks would do it. Roughly half so it's twice the work. 

But...

We really don't need much for kindling. 

 

She saves all the little shards of bark or junk pieces that fall off the splitter. 

Peels dead birches. 

Whatever works.  

 

 

[Achto 27,591]

Never used one myself.

 

I did recently watch a video of some one who made their own.

 

Edited January 16, 2022 by Achto

[slim67 2,735]

That’s a a good idea Achto. My wife usually is the one whe gets the fires started but I do all the spltting and stacking. I figured it would be something she can use as well.

[formariz 11,987]

I have used one. Good idea works well. Kindling pieces don’t fall to floor minimizing bending over to pick them up. Makes it safe. Place it on a dedicated stump at a good height for you. 

[slim67 2,735]

24 minutes ago, formariz said:

I have used one. Good idea works well. Kindling pieces don’t fall to floor minimizing bending over to pick them up. Makes it safe. Place it on a dedicated stump at a good height for you. 

Thanks for your review formariz. It looks like a good buy.

[formariz 11,987]

22 minutes ago, slim67 said:

Thanks for your review formariz. It looks like a good buy.

You are welcome. They have I believe three different sizes. I believe the largest can fit about a 10” diameter log in there.

[WHX?? 48,821]

Guy that works for me has one and likes it. He just uses ez splitting pine in it which makes for better kindling anyway. Cindy just uses the log splitter and select clear pine logs or birch to make a box of kindling. Kinda time consuming tho but if I was any kind of fabricator I would make a device for the splitter. 

Tell ya what works good for fire starters is a older style paint can filled with corn cobs and kerosene or diesel. The thick cardboard tubes that carpet is rolled on cut into 1" chunks on a miter saw work too. 

Got some fat wood for her once that came in a fancy package and now use as a decorative holder for the paint can. Old pair of grilling tongs for fishing them out. 

[Pullstart 62,904]

I recently saw one (I think my wife’s boss has it?) and had never seen one before.  He loves it.

[Skwerl58 704]

I have looked at those but have not picked one up. I bought a  Hudson Bay style L.L Bean small axe with cover about 7-8 years ago at a flea market for $20.00 for splitting knidling. This small axe works great and I do wear leather gloves so I can keep my fingers. The axe is made by Snow & Nealley and it is American made!

[formariz 11,987]

I am pretty experienced in using an adze and a small hatchet since I use them frequently in the work I do. However when splitting kindling I am extremely cautious and actually a little reluctant in using the hatchet. There is nothing safe about it. A glove will not help you in keeping your finger. The whole thing is actually a disaster waiting to happen and I seen it quite a few times. It’s actually safer to split the kindling on the flat and not on edge. That way one can place the left hand pretty far from the hatchets path. Something I actually learned by watching Eustace.

I highly recommend this device for kindling specially if you are not experienced in using a hatchet. 

Edited January 17, 2022 by formariz

[diesel cowboy 263]

I bought one for my dad for Christmas about 5 years ago.  He loves it and we use it all the time, even my mom has a couple times.  The thing works great as long as the wood is mostly straight with little to no knots in it

[lynnmor 7,307]

Did you know that the Kindling Cracker was invented by a 13 year old girl?

[Stormin 9,981]

I use mainly old pallets from the farm and split with an axe. So far so good since I was about 9yrs. But that thing looks quite good. Hope the lass got it patented.

[953 nut 55,266]

13 hours ago, slim67 said:

Kindling is getting hard to find on my property

           Take up woodworking and burn your mistakes, you'll have all the kindling you want.         

[ebinmaine 67,541]

35 minutes ago, 953 nut said:

           Take up woodworking and burn your mistakes, you'll have all the kindling you want.         

It's a good idea. 

 

Or 

You could be like Trina and never throw a piece chunk scrap or portion of wood away.  

Wood scraps to her are like metal or tractor parts to some of us. 

[lynnmor 7,307]

4 hours ago, Stormin said:

 Hope the lass got it patented.

She did, and now she is a 20 year old that is very successful.

[pfrederi 17,741]

Burn Coal... only need kindling once