Need help with kindling

R

rushane

Joined
Dec 31, 2006
Messages
131
Being mainly a suburban coastal guy, I'm having a bit of a shock after a military move put me in West Virginia. My wife and I bought a house with a wood fire place, and she loves it. Don't hate me, but I had to by a cord of wood because I don't own a chainsaw and I'm too new to the area to even know where I can legally cut. My fire-starting skills are getting better and I'm liking it.

Here's my problem. I own an old axe that three feet long and a short hatchet. I figured I'd start splitting kindling with the hatchet. Nearly took my knee out. Also, it takes a hell of a swing to get it to split. Changed tactics and choked up on the larger axe. I use the weight of it to split the wood. Much better, faster and safer. It's my go-to way now.

This is where I need advise: is there a better middle ground? Something nearly as effective as the axe, but less unwieldy; something lighter like the hatchet, but cuts better.

What length and weight am I looking for? I've of course seen different size and weight axes, I just don't know what it is I want. If any of you have a system you really like, I'd love to hear it.
 
I split my hardwood kindking with a 6 lb splitting maul, anything else is too much work. Get a splitting block just below knee height and you should be able to split it nice and fine. Any cheap one should do it's the weight that does the work. Look for a nice straight grained piece to make it easy, if it don't split easy then I pick another one. Watch your legs! Don't feel bad for buying wood, I do. Cutting and splitting your own is for people with more time than money, I don't have much of either. :)
 
Hello
First the axe head should never pass Parallel when striking the wood Next you need something to back your swing another pieces of wood the axe will be used to split the big stuff The hatchet can be used to make the kindling by laying the hatchet on the small chunk of wood and striking both together on another piece of wood to split it there are many other ways to do this with a axe or hatchet
 
What you're looking for is a "house axe", a heavy hatchet. These were typically 1-3/4 to 2 pounds with about a 19" handle.

1.jpg


I don't believe they are made any more. You could improvise by hanging a boys axe head on a house axe hande - the handles are still available. House axe and a boys axe have the same size eye.


Another part of your problem is likely the wood you're using and your technique. Kindling shouldn't be hard to split. The wood should first be split down to size with a full size axe. Then the most straight grained pieces should be set aside for making kindling. Certain woods like Elm or London Plane are very difficult to split and aren't good choices for making kindling.

Lastly, there are safer ways of splitting kindling.

http://www.fieldandstream.com/blogs/field-notes/camping-tip-a-safer-way-to-split-kindling


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x31UtoLnY8Y
 
You might consider the method of batoning as well. You can use your hatchet- Grandpa split his kindling with a sharpened piece of leaf spring. Wrapped the handle in rubber and used dried pieces of limbs for batons. Pretty much free supply of tools and keeps your body parts safer than swinging an axe in a convention manner to do small splitting.

I have used a TT Rocket hatchet quite a bit like this.

Nothing wrong with buying cordwood if you are unfamiliar with chainsaws. Saws are expensive and "can" hurt you quick, fast and in a hurry. You have more important things to do than lay around and heal.
Bill

Man I like that chicken stick :)
 
Last edited:
lmalterna said:
You might consider the method of batoning as well.
Click to expand...

You can baton a hatchet with a heavy wooden maul - just a branch of sturdy hardwood whittled into club. Keep a scrap of beam end near the fireplace as a splitting block.
 
If you are having trouble splitting kindling with the hatchet, I would recommend you cut your logs in half. You do not need 24'' long pieces for kindling. A shorter 10''-12'' log will split much easier with the hatchet and be easier to control. If you do not have a chainsaw, you can have the persons you are buying wood from to cut a few pieces for you. Or you can split them smaller with the large axe then cut them in half with a hand saw. A little extra time is better than getting hurt.

One other thing I should mention since you are new to fireplaces, You should know what species of wood you are burning. Burning some wood can lead to excessive creosote buildup in your chimney, that could result in a chimney fire.

-Slim278
 
Slim278 said:
If you are having trouble splitting kindling with the hatchet, I would recommend you cut your logs in half. You do not need 24'' long pieces for kindling. A shorter 10''-12'' log will split much easier with the hatchet and be easier to control. If you do not have a chainsaw, you can have the persons you are buying wood from to cut a few pieces for you. Or you can split them smaller with the large axe then cut them in half with a hand saw. A little extra time is better than getting hurt.

One other thing I should mention since you are new to fireplaces, You should know what species of wood you are burning. Burning some wood can lead to excessive creosote buildup in your chimney, that could result in a chimney fire.

-Slim278
Click to expand...

This.

Shorter kindling is easier to use and split. I usually cut a few 10-14" disks on a straight grained part of the trunk for easy splitting. If a hatchet can't do it there are probably other problems. I have been splitting kindling at work and home daily for 6 years now, using a hatchet almost exclusively. Also try a 4way splitting wedge in the middle of a large round if you need to. And...

Generally, only burn hardwoods.

No conifers

No resinous or "sappy" trees

SEASON it at least a year

Otherwise you WILL have a chimney fire at some point. Dont start shoving scrap wood, treated wood, painted or stained woods, etc in there unless you run a creosote cleanse and sweep the chimney regularly.
 
Learn the difference between a splitting axe , broader angle ] and a thinner hewing axe.
For heavy duty I use a " Monster Mall " IIRC these types are for splitting and come in different weights . I don't know if tools by that name are still around but a quick look at the tool should make it's use obvious !
For lighter use , one handed "Estwing "has a very nice 40 oz tool , called by some strange name like fireside friend ?
Learn about woods. Each type has different amounts of BTUs I try to save Rock Oak for the coldest temperatures . I try to get all firewood cut and stacked by July. Stacking lets air do more drying. Cover the top with a tarp to keep off rain and snow , leave the sides open.

Have that chimney inspected !! By a professional who will lower a TV camera to check for problems. A fire place is not the best for efficiency though a Rumford type is much better and you may want to convert to a stove.
 
First - Estwing Fireside Friend is 4 pounds total [sorry]. Mine just developed a small problem which I fixed with some epoxy. After 25 years AFAIK .Always used it during wood stove season .
A very worthwhile purchase like the rest of my Estwing tools !!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top