Kindling is readily available in the market to start fires, but can get expensive, especially if you need it every night! You have the option of making your kindling by splitting a log into pieces.



But you confused what axe and how to use it, right?

Well, here’s help for you find the best axe for kindling so that you never have to worry about where your kindling comes from! There are many tools in the market to choose from for making kindling.

The trick lies in using the right wood and the right hatchets to make a good stock of kindling which you can use to start a warm fire both indoors and outdoors. These axes are ideally 14 to 20 inches in length and comfortable enough for you to hold and swing using one hand. They have a sheath for safe storage and convenient carrying around.

Kindling axes Comparison: To Pick the best one

Here are a few product reviews to help you make your choice. There are, of course, many brands and models of axes to use for kindling. However, here are 3 of the most popular axes which have been chosen based on function and usability.

1. Fiskars 375501-1001 The Best Kindling Hatchet

Top Features

Lightweight Dura frame handle is stronger than Steel and absorbs shocks well

Perfect to use for chopping kindling and small to medium-sized logs

No fear of overstrike breakage or head loosening as it’s molded

Coated blade prevents axe head from getting stuck

Comes with a protective sheath

This 14” Fiskars hatchet boasts of a sharp edge and better cuts thanks to its proprietary blade-grinding technology. With its non-stick blade coating, the axe easily powers through wood without getting stuck. Its lifetime warranty ensures the axe will serve you a long time. The perfect balance and power of this excellent tool increase swing speed for better control to chop and kindle small to medium-sized logs. Check More Photos And Price

With its molded head that prevents overstrike damage, lightweight shock absorbing Dura frame handle and accompanying leather sheath, the axe is safe for even children and women to use to make kindling.

2. SNOW11-BRK Penobscot Bay

Features

Made in the USA

Measures 17” in length with an American hickory handle

From the famous Snow and Nealley axe company

Has a leather blade guard

The 6 3/4” carbon steel axe head has a ¾” cutting edge

The SNOW11-BRK Bay Kindling axe from Snow & Nealley is the perfect axe to carry along with you while backpacking. It has an overall length of 17” with American hickory handle. The six ¾” axe head with three ¾” cutting edge is made from high carbon steel, and the entire axe is crafted in the USA. A leather blade guard guards the blade, and though the blade may have a lacquer finish coating, it’s easily cleaned off using mineral spirits. Check More Photos And Price

And any periodical sharpening of the axe head is quickly done using a Lansky puck. The axe is strong and capable enough to chop even 3-4” diameter branches and cut them into kindling.

3. Kindling Cracker Firewood Kindling Splitter

Features

Safe way to split kindling as there’s no moving blade or sharp objects involved

Easily insert 6.5” log through its top ring

Made in Australia using high-quality cast iron

Needs less force for splitting firewood

Minimal maintenance required

If you were always worried about getting injured using an axe to make kindling, the Kindling Cracker Firewood Splitter could rid you of your fears. It’s simple to use and created based on a patented, award-winning design by a school-age student who wanted to split firewood without injuries. It’s a solid, high-quality cast iron device which if used and cared correctly, can last generations. Check More Photos And Price

The best kindling splitter machine is easy to maintain with occasional brushing and painting and easy to use. Place the firewood inside the iron safety ring and hit using something blunt like a hammer or other wood piece. The wood quickly and easily splits without any swinging of sharp axe blades, perfect for women and children to make kindling.

best hatchet for kindling - Buyer Guide

What is kindling axe?

A kindling axe is a tool that is best suited to use for making kindling. It’s like other axes but has a relatively shorter handle measuring between 14 to 20 inches in length. The axe head is also not so massive, about 1 to 1.5 pounds in weight and has a sharp edge to use for quickly carving wood and making kindling.

How to split kindling ?

Many people fear splitting kindling if done wrongly using one hand to hold the wood, and the other for swinging the axe at the piece. A safer method involves using a 12” piece of wood to hold the wood and keep your hand safe while making swing the axe.

Another method involves using a massive axe with a short handle instead of a light one. Light axes strike the wood at high speed to split it while more massive tools give the same splitting power at a slow pace. You can improve your safety by lifting the wood piece with the splitting axe and then let the two fall and hit the chopping block together and split into kindling.

How to split kindling with a hatchet ?

All you need to do is put the log on a stump and hit it with the hatchet. Chopping in the kneeling position ensures the hatchet hits the ground if you miss the wood as the hatchet may swing into your leg while standing.

Do not chop wood directly on the ground because the hatchet hits the ground and gets damaged if you miss. Aiming for the corner of the log instead of middle helps where the log is more likely to split instead of the hatchet getting stuck in it.

You can also hold a small log by one of its ends, place the hatchet blade on the other end and lift and bring both down together on another piece of wood and split the wood.

way To Cut Kindling Fast

It’s better to learn how to cut kindling quickly and efficiently if you will be regularly lighting fires. It’s somewhat tricky splitting kindling as pieces keep flying off, and you have to keep on re-splitting them.

A better and quick way to make kindling is to split dry, straight and well-seasoned logs that have an even grain without any knots. Tie it at the base, just below halfway, with an old rope or piece of bicycle inner tube and place on the splitting block.

Now place the axe blade onto the log, and drive it in using a heavy, wooden mallet. Twist the handle to split the log down its length and repeat to make slices at every inch or so. The rope holds the kindling together without any pieces flying around.

What is the best kindling for a fire?

The best kindling for fire is beech sticks while hazel, hawthorn, elm, and ash are all equally good to use as kindling as long as they are dry. You can also use pine sticks and cones.

Always make sure the logs to be split are fully seasoned having a straight grain and devoid of knots. As a mixture of kindling sizes is better for starting fires, choose logs sized between 5-8 inches with a diameter of 9 inches or less as they are most comfortable to work.

What kind of wood is kindling?

The small pieces of wood you need to burn under logs till they catch fire are called kindling. Usually, all tree species that readily split are perfect for use as kindling. The wood of most conifers along with ash, birch and oak makes good split firewood.

Some like having a mix of slightly resinous fast lighting sticks like pine, and some denser wood like split oak heartwood in their kindling basket to create good embers for their fires. While beech and elm sticks are excellent choices for kindling, they are a bit difficult to split. Whatever wood you use, the essential element to remember is that it should be dry.

What to look for in the kindling hatchet ?

There are a few important aspects you need to keep in mind while looking for the perfect kindling wood splitter device. While you may get lots of information on the axe’s websites, it’s always better to check online forums for true verdicts and suggestions.

Sometimes the suggestions and reviews placed on websites are written by people paid to write good reviews for products! So here are some critical points to look out for in the best kindling making device.

It's Handle

The handle length should preferably be between 14 and 20 inches long. This is because you have better control over an axe with a short handle. Besides, the more compact is the axe, the easier it is for you to carry it around and to store safely when not in use.

Though there are axes with handles made of fiber, it is always better to buy an axe with an American hickory handle as they are more durable in structure. You can also look out for axes with handles designed to give a better grip for improved comfort while you make kindling.

Safety Issue

Safety is paramount as you will be caring the axe around and storing it when not in use. So to prevent unnecessary accidents, look for the best kindling hatchets that comes with a protective sheath. This is essential as the sheath helps keep the blade safe and prevents injury when not in use.

Quality

Quality is always an important feature to bear in mind as the good quality axes last longer. You can learn more about the axe’s quality by reading reviews and forums on axes where other customers will describe their experiences with their opinion about different axes.

Kindling Axe head

An axe head with the weight of 1-1.5 pound is a better choice as you can easily aim and cut kindling with it. Besides, kindling axes are meant to swing using one hand; so it should not be too heavy but just right for you to comfortably use.

The head should be made of hardened forged steel blade which tends to stay sharp longer than traditional axes. It is always better if the axe head is insert-molded into the handle as it prevents the risk and damage inflicted by over-striking.

The Price

While the first choice is always to buy an expensive axe, sometimes cheaper kindling axes can be somewhat functional. As mentioned earlier, reading reviews and visiting forums will give you a better idea about the best price for a kindling splitter machine.

Conclusion

You can choose the best axe for kindling based on your budget if you are comfortable using an axe with a longer or shorter handle and based on the preferred weight of the axe head.