Kindling Cracker Tested

A Test of the Kindling Cracker

I was recently asked to do a test of the Kindling Cracker and was duly sent two of these free of charge.

There are two sizes of this log splitting device and I was sent both to try out and review.

So what is a Kindling Cracker?

This device turns the logic of conventional wood splitting on its head!

Rather than driving an axe into a log, with the Kindling Cracker you drive the log into a blade.

The log is hit with a lump hammer against the blade of the Kindling Cracker device so that the blade is driven into the wood.

Since the blade is beveled the further the wood is driven into the blade, the greater the force to split the wood.

The Kindling Cracker is made of very robust steel and should give many years of use.

 

 

 

Features I liked

During the test of the Kindling Cracker there were several features that I particularly liked.

I liked its strong construction. The safety aspect of using both of the Kindling Crackers that I had been given by distributor [in the UK] Fandango Fire Tools I also liked.

Thoughtfully, Fandango Fire Tools had also sent me a couple of lump hammers to use to drive the log into the splitters. They had also sent me a log on which the splitter can stand. This was a bit wobbly but I noted that it would be easy to fix the cracker to the top of the log as the base had suitable eyes through which large screws could be added.

The units also came with neat and strong cloth bags made from PVC impregnated 600D polyester. The covers are water resistant and feature a meshed ventilation panel and drawstring. These bags are also very useful for carrying kindling to the fire.

The splitter made a very good job of splitting seasoned dry wood and was good for producing kindling to start a fire.

I believe that it is very much safer to split wood into kindling using a Kindling Cracker than to use and axe.

The larger unit which is called the Kindling Cracker King could easily be used for splitting big logs. It’s worth noting that split logs will dry or season more rapidly once split up!

 

 

Potential drawbacks

I took both Kindling Crackers to a friend who cuts and burns a lot of firewood.

He has a tractor driven log splitter and so has lots of experience of splitting tons of wood.

His impression was that, although these are very well made, he would not be tempted to purchase one himself. But he conceded that this was an excellent way to cut kindling if you do not already own a tractor. He also said he would use one if he didn’t want to invest in another powered device that splits logs.

I will certainly be using mine and find it very good for splitting seasoned wood into kindling to light fires.

 

 

 

 

 

The backstory

Ayla Hutchinson from New Zealand invented the Kindling Cracker and it is now available worldwide.

She was just 13 years old when she came up with this great idea! In fact she designed the wood splitter as a school science project!

Ayla’s invention has saved many a cut or bruised hand and is much easier to use than swinging an axe.

The units are manufactured in a foundry in Australia.

If you click on this link it will download a very short video showing the Kindling Cracker King in action –

See it in action here!

 

I first saw this novel log splitting tool at the Garden Press Event in London. This event is jointly run by the Horticultural Trades Association and by the Garden Industry Manufacturers Association

At this event garden suppliers, manufacturers and growers display their newest products and services to the invited garden press.

 

Where can I buy one?

Click here to find a dealer in the UK.

 

 

 

 

You might be interested in reading about the Henchman tripod ladder that I reviewed here. It certainly makes pruning of trees safer!

 

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