Kindling Cracker- Firewood Kindling Splitter Review

A look at this new tool I got for splitting kindling. I really like it!

[@101kiwi]

A 13 year old girl in New Zealand invented this. It won the farming invention of the year in New Zealand. Well done to her

[@aaronchandler2380]

Yeah, sure she did…

[@RhysClark97]

@@aaronchandler2380 google is free, she did, her name was Ayla Hutchinson

[@atbpsycold5380]

I was on the fence about getting one of these but after seeing how much "kindling" you made in 5 minutes...That's a weeks worth of fire wood for my rocket stove! Thanks for the review! Made my decision really easy!

[@carmelitagood8193]

Wow! I am impressed. I am a 70 y.o. woman, so I think this will really help me. I am buying one today. Thank you so much for the video.

[@homesteadhandyman4481]

have fun!

[@ibislife]

I just bought this today, what a gamechanger. Here in Norway we have sub zero temperatures, and I go through a lot of firewood. Easy to split logs in to kindlings.

[@DG4String]

I had seen a couple of vids on this invention, so this weekend, I took some scrap metal I had been saving and I welded one up! All recycled material and it works like a charm. No more narrow misses on the hand holding the stock or chipping my patio when the axe goes thru! If you don't have the equipment and/or materials to build one, this would be a good purchase that will probably last a lifetime.

[@homesteadhandyman4481]

hope it works great for you!

[@Terri_Stauffer]

I just got the XL kindling cracker, it has a bigger opening for the wood. Works great and I split my logs and made kindling with it much faster then I did with axe and mallet. I am impressed with how even logs with knots and are twisted split. They need a few more strikes with mallet but split better then axe with I find gets struck in wood. It was on sale at Northern Tools and well worth the price,

[@Phewy]

I see this listed for $110 (USD) on Amazon. A bunch of knock offs for a quarter (or less) the price. Would you value this at 110?

[@phillyfathead]

I got one and I will never be without one again !

[@johnshull102]

Get a large Rubbermaid tub and put it in between the splitter an log before you bolt it down and it will catch all the wood instead of it falling to the ground

[@homesteadhandyman4481]

John Shull Great idea!

[@jamesjohnston7952]

I just heard about these. This is a great review that has me convinced that I need one. It will be a much safer way to have my 13 yo help with making kindling. Thank you!

[@MYPROJECTS101.]

Great video and review. thanks for sharing. I will be ordering mine today.

[@matthewgoodall9971]

We just got one of these. Bolted it to a stump. Didn’t split a single (already split) log or smaller rounds. Sending it back!

[@KS-xs7fs]

Bought one a few days ago - not the same one but a similar one. What a dream it is !!!!

[@godmachine8207]

This is similar to what we had back in the 90s, one of our axe handles broke so my older brother welded the axe head to a metal plate and screwed in onto a log, there was no ring but this is a good design especially if the head is sharp

[@alexpetrov8871]

Damn, my sister gave me a scandal yesterday because she asked me to light the hearth, but she had a little of kindling, and she thought that I used the kindling incorrectly. There was a scandal, we told each other to go to hell. Today I was thinking of giving her an axe. But... I'm really worried about her fingers, so I decided to give her a kindling cracker. This is why I'm looking at the reviews now. This one looks pretty safe ))

[@marshalraylangivens4996]

Thanks for the review of something I WAS thinking about getting. After watching how it splits no faster than a hatchet and mallet, I will save my $100. The wood still "flies everywhere" and you are out a C note.

[@lawrenceshdow]

its his first time using it. keep that in mind. My brother has one and he does one motion on every log. Sets it and wacks it while his hand is already out the way. He has it leaned against the back or something; i don't know. But I'll tell ya what; he rips through the logs super fast. It's pretty impressive.

[@RokiMowntinHi]

This was invented to assist those people that can’t readily yield a hatchet &/or mallet, for whatever reason. It has the added benefit of being a quick and productive method as well.

[@danielmcgregor8803]

TY so much for this review. Buying one!

[@stevensola3361]

Just saw this headed out to my shop to build a better one that easier to use. Firing up the forge and grabbing my welder

[@alexduncanson7101]

its excellent...just as advertised. Really effective in splitting the wood.

[@kirbymorris9555]

I got one and it works great. Plus it’s totally wife approved.

[@Brett235]

I put a double bit axe in a fairly large log and use the other side like is shown here, but this is probably safer. Good video sir.

[@homesteadhandyman4481]

Good idea!

[@SeattlePioneer]

I just built a jig to hold my splitting maul face up. Works quite well. I like your use of a double bitted axe, which I'd never heard of. I've used a froe to split kindling too ----that works well but my homebrew froes kept breaking.

[@grasscutter1963]

Yes, this is awesome and yes I bought one after watching this video. I LOVE IT!

[@homesteadhandyman4481]

Glad to help!

[@Infinite.Freefall]

What is the diameter of the ring? I have a lot of wood but all huge pieces...so not sure if it would fit inside the ring...

[@choclit1967]

Heretic 6.5 Inches

[@Chickenfoothomestead]

Heck yeah! That would be a great addition around here. Thanks for sharing this.

[@homesteadhandyman4481]

+This Old Homestead I make the job fun and no more chasing around wood that flies all over the place

[@Mamaofthehooligan]

I need me one of these,i only wonder how easy it would be to sharpen the splitter head sure looks to make it easier than the way I've been doing splitting

[@gwarlow]

Amazing how many viewers are "allergic" to hitting the Like icon. Show some appreciation folks! Thanks for sharing this video. Cheers.

[@mountainguyed67]

I hit the dislike button, thanks for reminding me.

[@Aero.Smith.]

Looks pretty cool. I usually go out in the woods with a barrel and pick up small sticks and branches that are dry. I find they catch fire quicker

[@johnclark6571]

Me too. We have maple trees in the backyard, so they drop a lot of waterspouts. I break them up and put them in my ‘sticks box’. Great for camping trips!

[@MorninTripper]

"I like that it doesn't shoot it all over the yard", as he throws it all over the yard - Yuk, Yuk. Thanks for the video, I bought one today after watching this.

[@nathanduckeorth806]

Just got one for Xmas! Can't wait to try it out after watching your video

[@annie4horses]

I just bought one today. Works a little too well. I got too ambitious with a large piece of branch with an awesome knot and I ended up needing a recip saw to remove the stuck pieces 😅

[@chemicle]

Really nice investment. Nice demo.

[@readthedwelling]

I believe this was invented by a high school girl in New Zealand as a science fair project.

[@joshwinters9389]

it definitely was, she was on the news!

[@stevejeffrey11]

freaking awesome, never used one before and it's a life changer

[@c.e.3194]

I believe she was 13 at the time. I just heard about this on the radio.

[@bctruck]

Ive seen them but its nice to see it in action! Looks handy!

[@homesteadhandyman4481]

+BCtruck, rebuild, repair,repurpose It is a lot safer than an axe. The axe has slipped off the wood and whacked me in the leg a few times and that huts on the old shin!

[@tomjeffersonwasright2288]

I never had much trouble splitting those short, straight grained logs. It is the ones with knots and forks that give me trouble. I'd like to see one of them demonstrated. It is a good idea, and I will weld one up, with a few improvements, like a padded top for when the stick splits too easy and the handle smacks the top rim.

[@homesteadhandyman4481]

I would suggest that you make the ring bigger as well. The knarly logs sometimes go crooked and get stuck

[@lostgrunt7833]

Think id move the knife edge up tword the top a little bit more also. Not all the way, but closer than that one was.

[@42lookc]

Pool noodle overstrike guard. Cheap and quickly replaceable.

[@M4KERB]

You just saved me some money, thank you.

[@barrytanenbaum4157]

Great Video. Once Northern Tools has another sale on this, especially the XL sized, I will buy one! :)

[@libsead]

I have one and it's the best! So safe and fast.

[@viceroybear6298]

I just stuff a few rounds into a old used tire and swing away like a madman

[@neilvernon3937]

Yes this is the one I bought that never turned up. Realised it was from China. Still waiting 6 months later

[@ItsAsparageese]

Sounds like you got scammed by a fraudulent sales page that just copycatted the actual product's pictures. That's why to make sure to buy new innovative products directly from the authentic source instead of trying to find a deal from random sellers online.

[@ritasmith4335]

The real deal is made in Australia like me

[@Denvermorgan2000]

This is a great product.

[@mdocod]

The process of normal wood splitting/processing tends to create endless piles of "kindle" all around the processing area from mis-strikes, bark falling off, chips/etc. The mail man brings kindle 5 days a week as well. Not sure what most wood burning folks would need this for but it seems to do what it is intended to do well enough.

[@ChickensAndGardening]

My wood stove works better with smaller pieces of wood, so I tend to take quarter logs and split them down to kindling size before burning. I actually got one of these contraptions but haven't used it much because I just I'm used to using an axe on a log. But after watching this video, I think I'll give it another try.

[@halesm5720]

Many people don't buy full logs, instead they buy precut quarters. They don't have the luxury of the byproduct from wood splitting.

[@skakpedersen]

Thanks for sharing 👍

[@homesteadhandyman4481]

No problem 👍

[@MITimberwookie]

Very cool contraption.

[@NicholasGomez]

What a great item!! Thanks for sharing. !!

[@homesteadhandyman4481]

+Nicholas Gomez I am loving that thing. it is enjoyable to now to split kindling and i have not whacked my self with like i used to do when the axe would slip

[@choclit1967]

This is excatley what I need, I have some pieces of firewood that are split 2 big 4 My Smoker,,, This would work perfectly

[@homesteadhandyman4481]

Works great!

[@choclit1967]

Homestead Handyman How You Doing, How wide of a piece of wood can fit in there, cause I see that Northern Tool, Has a extra large 1 for $149, but I would hate to spend that extra $60 if the origins will work just fine🤔🤔🤔 Thank U

[@giovannijoseph9580]

Well, it doesn't throw the wood all over the yard: but, for some reason, you do! LOL You have to pick up every piece! My thought, what not put that on a tarp, or on a tarp in the bin or trailer, you use to store it? Then there is no pickup stix game after! I see this other guy put a cage around it, where he stores the kindling! No.pick up; no moving the stump, and rig... just chop to the top, and done deal! You can even do it in the basement, or utility closet, next to where you burn it! Then, no hauling it in each time? Nice video though! Thanks, and good luck! I'm just giving back, for the getting g! LOL

[@Zarko069]

Good tool. I understand you need gloves and goggles, but why do you need ears protection? The tool does not make noise, only if you wear ears protection against mechanical damage, but in that case you can use a motorcycle helmet :) .

[@AdMurck]

Ik recieved this as an unexpected present today and I'm very curious how it works! As I can see on the video this gonna work fine! Ad Murck, Rotterdam

[@homesteadhandyman4481]

+Ad Murck Hope it works well for you!

[@kevinbarker4022]

How do you recommend sharpening the blade? Mine is 3 years old and getting dull. Thanjs

[@braedonphillips2617]

Think I'm going to stick to the good ole way, since I was 8, I have been chopping kindling for my papa (grandpa) and now I'm what 13. Would like that but I couldn't get my precision cuts I do where it is smaller easier to start on fire piece's. Oh well I got a system and for the 6 years I've chopped kindling starting at 8. I only every cut myself one time and it was just enough to scrap some skin a little blood, other than that I've been just fine. Got my system, I cut the rounds into small firewood size wedges, bring them in the shop. Got my rolling chair, a big wood round to chop on, and my axe. Then I take pieces and start chopping, I put my axe on the next cut, lightly bang it until it is started, remove my hand holding the log and use it to catch the kindling while I bang a little bit off

[@williamcox9632]

there great and strong too

[@MountainManMedia]

Did the left-handed model cost more?

[@homesteadhandyman4481]

Living in a right handed world I have had to learn to adapt! However me and scissors don't get along!

[@hog8035]

Should’ve bought the king size one mate

[@2ears1mouth786]

This thing could've been invented at pretty much any point in time. Why only now? Quite funny, really.

[@EdiblePlants]

cool.....might have to build one

[@homesteadhandyman4481]

+Pinetar And Robyns Homestead It works great!

[@sinancetinkaya]

Dude this is very useful tool because splitting wood is a very complex task. I need some sort of feeder to be invented because putting a spoon to my mouth is so tiring and it's dangerous also. :)

[@jopo7996]

I don't recommend this tool. It ruined my marriage. I bought one for my wife, and she split the next day.

[@homesteadhandyman4481]

good one! thanks for watching!

[@bassbird]

I lol'd for real

[@MCOult]

Then you SHOULD recommend it! ;-)

[@giovannijoseph9580]

You were disrespectful, for not showing her this video training first! She probably quit talking to you, instead of wasting another, "how the hell do I do that", exclamation! There is no sense it, if you don't have a bitchin' training budget! First video, "how to close the helicopter legs, up in the air wide"; next, "how to get up off your ass"; THEN, "and do something"; finally, "that your screaming, 'F U, I'm NOT doing that', in your head about"! You have to break it down real simple like that! Make sure she gets dressed, in one of the first ones; and, you're all set - if she will quit going into shock! See breathing techniques, if not! Don't expect much! If you had to jack anything up, that much, it wasn't going to do anything anyway!

[@jeffreymoon9098]

Now *that* is a Dad joke...I'm married and have 3 boys. I liked it.

[@yoopersurvival]

works really good. I think I'm going to make one.

[@homesteadhandyman4481]

+yoopersurvival I got it for 80$ with a coupon

[@SOLDOZER]

Does Northern Tool sell them in stores or only online?

[@DarleneYoungartist]

Wow. Just what I need. So much safer than an axe.

[@grintz77]

In your place I would stand the pieces up right away in 5 gallon buckets or a 20 gallon tote so you don't have to reach down and gather up all the kindling again. I'm too old for that.

[@MrBudcampo]

Good thing you had hearing protection 😂

[@flashchrome]

It is basically just an upside down axe head.

[@mycaddigo4562]

🙄

[@mmodnao]

Great video, thank you.

[@jeanlamb]

Just to let you know your video has been hacked by bogus Chinese companies purporting to be selling the firewood cracker ....they are probably scam companies. Thanks for the video though ...might get one for my hubby!

[@guitarwilly81]

What length of wood can be split effectively?

[@Sheila6325]

Ok, I have to get one of those. Can you tell me where you got it? I want to order that right away. Fantastic! Thank you! FOUND IT on Amazon!

[@homesteadhandyman4481]

+Sheila6325 It works great. I am using a 3 lb hammer and that is just enough to not wear me out. As a matter of fact it is fun!

[@Sheila6325]

benchmade55 LOL That's what I was thinking, it looked fun to me! I know it can be a lot of work, but has to be way better than using the huge ax I have. The ones with the long handle, whatever they are called. LOL I have it on my shopping list on Amazon, and when I finish my list, it will go in first. I have found that kindling makes a huge difference when starting a fire, and to me, this is just right. Thank you for the information on the hammer, I needed that too and forgot to ask about it. I will add that too. I'm so pleased to see this, it's going to take a lot of work out of my fire preps. Bless, Sheila

[@yveskc1]

Nice! Thanks for sharing.

[@piagallagher6920]

Designed in New Zealand by a 13 year old girl, pretty cool aye 😊

[@RAMPHD]

The alternative for me? When I rent the splitter - spend some time splitting kindling. Other wise, ax and metal mallet.

[@mountainguyed67]

I use the hydraulic log splitter, it’s the easiest, fastest way.

[@TheWorldIsRoblox]

What happens when you don't have white ash to split. How well does it split with hickory? .

[@Garysopinion]

Looks on the small side. what about wood with knots????

[@ME-on8by]

I don't get how this better than a regular hatchet.

[@scobiesview5137]

like to see that work with Australian hardwood

[@MrMnmn911]

Then buy one and try it.

[@fiouable]

It came from where? It just appeared magically in your shop?

[@fiouable]

Amazing, you still don’t know. Crawl back under the rock where you came from. Oh, that’s right you don’t know where the rock was.

[@MrKmorg]

I always wear hearing protection whilst splitting kindling lol

[@jimmytate7587]

and a condom.....

[@trreb1]

Camouflaged even. So know body sees you. LOL

[@aguyandhiscomputer]

and set out some orange cones around the work area...

[@jimmytate7587]

don't forget the steel toed boots......

[@sikais66]

aguyandhiscomputer lmao😂😂😂

[@thomasbroking7943]

couple spackle buckets on a handtruck?? or wheelbarrow? ?

[@markgnorthcott]

put a basket around it and really keep the scrap from flying anywhere

[@jamesgould6001]

Is this the large size or smaller version?

[@Ungovernable74]

Nice gear

[@homesteadhandyman4481]

+Off Grid Nation . Yeah and it is "off Grid"

[@zmanstrong41]

+benchmade55 protip when you showcase a handy dandy gadget like that give the link where we can find it:)

[@SOLDOZER]

He gave you the name of it. Are you too lazy too Google it yourself?

[@TheFlatlander440]

I was wondering how you resharpen the splitting blade?

[@homesteadhandyman4481]

A couple of passes with a file

[@TheFlatlander440]

Great, thanks. I'm going to order one today as it looks like it makes splitting kindling very easy and safe.

[@nickfanzo]

I tried mine right out of the box and the edge rolled and the log wasn’t even the maximum size.

[@theplanetruth]

This is genius. Necessity breeds invention, eh??

[@toddmullins5831]

What size sledge did you use ?

[@patriotarborist711]

they sell a 12" and a 17". what size is this one?

[@homesteadhandyman4481]

Small one.

[@SuperPangloss]

Nice review, but I think you need to don MORE safety equipment......perhaps a helmet and chaps???

[@mckulty]

I can't hear you through these ear muffs.

[@avengernemesis7990]

Yep...the kiwis do it again.. Go the mighty All Blacks..🖤🖤🖤🖤 Australia

[@mountainguyed67]

No way! A lot of whites live in Australia.

[@user-ec3ns6gx5k]

I just put a splitting axe in a vice

[@hoss3245]

Tip top und top Tip

[@Aintright890]

How much money

[@andrewbratos6907]

them there are nice ,, but hold it down with L bolts, screw them down almost flush, one @ 12oclock,, 3,6,9

[@perryellisonjr9303]

Old axe head+2 pieces of angle iron weld legs = I'm gonna split kindling

[@krishnak7797]

How cool and it was invented by a 13 year old girl! Thanks for the demo.

[@56islander]

how bout some freshly cut logs?

[@lindseyup]

You don't use fresh logs for burning or kindling

[@mountainguyed67]

@@lindseyup True, but some might make kindling well in advance.

[@scottbaican9566]

I actually built my own out of an axe head

[@xChromerSatanasx]

I am too cheap to buy that: I will weld one I have plenty of ax heads laying around

[@derekwalsh4583]

I've split 5 cords through it so far. Does what I need it to. kzbin.infoUgkxUyQswtttSffRMblGbrhCvZn7JkhtG1-7 I scrounge all my firewood and am not equipped to handle big wood, but for logs up to 24 inch diameter or so, it works great. I've been amazed by some of the gnarly bur oak and elm crotches it has split. For the tougher stuff within it's size range, you might have to study the piece a bit to decide the best attack, but if you split smart it's up to the job. It did arrive low on oil, and I was would have nicked it half a star for that, but it has regained my full confidence. UPDATE NOVEMBER 2021: Still going strong after all these years. I love the one-handed operation. Hope it's still in production if I ever need to replace it

[@carriestearns7665]

Looks like you would be screwed if you put a peice in there longer than the circle part

[@eagleswinthesuperbowl922]

The kindling STILL flies all over the place... anyone with two brake rotors and a brain can make this in 20min...

[@scottcozart8950]

You said you were tired of hitting with a ax and it goes everywhere. well I does a great job but it still goes everywhere? ? save money use a hatchet.

[@seoulkidd1]

sweet

[@homesteadhandyman4481]

That time again for wood splitting

[@GrowLLLTigeRRR]

Why are you wearing hearing protection?

[@homesteadhandyman4481]

to protect my ears from the loud noise of hammering.

[@GrowLLLTigeRRR]

@@homesteadhandyman4481 hahaha

[@mountainguyed67]

Lol!

[@886]

如果是硬木就不行了，这个木头比较脆。

[@2x6x250ml]

translation -If it's hardwood, it won't work. This wood is more brittle.