[Closed] Recommendations - small splitting axe

I've got all sorts of tools for splitting wood, but for kindling I use a small hatchet that cost about a fiver. It tends to get left laying around outside and gets sharpened I hate to say with a flap wheel.

Someone will be along in a minute to make a very STW suggestion of a Gransfors.

Oh look, it's me.

Gransfors.

There are of course cheaper options. 🙂

gransfors is lovely to use

also a small fiskars is very good and good value

https://www.knivesandtools.co.uk/en/pt/-fiskars-x-7-universal-axe.htm

@vader - that Fiskars looks good and more importantly not too expensive!

A mate recommended a Robin Wood bushcraft axe but it might just be too much axe for a novice with small jobs to do

I have two fiskar's - an xxl 27 for cleaving rounds and larger logs, and the small one for light duties and kindling. Both are very very good and split like a dream. They are pretty nice to handle although I accept not as nice to look at as gransfors!

@vader – that Fiskars looks good and more importantly not too expensive!

similar price and similarly new-fangled - have a look at the Mora axe. Nice and sharp and the curve of the handle is nice in use

That Mora axe looks interesting.

It's worth looking closely at the shape of the head - splitting axes typically have a wedge type profile, felling type axes are thinner/flatter. General purpose axes somewhere in between. I also have a gp axe that is very flat but does split quite nicely, just not as good as the big fiskars, and will get stuck in logs from time to time. I have a felling axe too, bought in error really as I didn't really understand the differences at the time. It does splitting but can be hopeless against certain wood types. It does look quite medieval though, which is nice.

Basically an excuse to have more axes!

For kindling I use a trick I saw on YouTube - maybe linked from here - and use my big splitting maul. On the ground, edge upwards (wedged between a couple of breeze blocks) and hit the wood down onto it with a mallet. No risk of an axe blade hitting leg or ground (or fingers) and it makes quick work of it. What makes it so efficient is that you can place the wood accurately on the splitting edge and then just whack down on the top of it.

You can split kindling with any axe by choking up on the haft, but bigger axes do get a bit awkward and tiring if doing much. A hatchet or small axe is more comfy.

For splitting anything of size though I'd go no shorter than about 60cm haft, 1kg ish head. Be careful, short axes are more dangerous.

X17 is surprising good, similar from husqvarna would be the S16000, or gardena 1600s (same company, turquoise instead of orange)

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The one I got from Toolstation for a fiver, mibbe a silverline, can't remember.

Just ordered a Hultafors trekking axe using eBay 15% off code (~£28)
I'm sure it will outlive me.

I have the Fiskars x7. I’ve used it for general chopping in the garden - where it has been very good.

Oops it's the trekking axe mini

If there's a Homebase shutting near you, ours has the Husqvarna/Gardena ones half price.

Good shout jamze