18:25 is, in my opinion, the best part of this video. True comparison of the struggle with hardwood on the blunter smaller Snug Niture Splitter vs the larger thinner blade of this VEVOR splitter. ATTENTION: SEE VIDEO DESCRIPTION ABOUT ACTUAL NAME BRAND KINDLING CRACKERS! I AM CURRENTLY LOOKING TO COMPARE THIS PRODUCT TO A KINDLING CRACKER XL KING / AND A NAME BRAND KINDLING CRACKER. I WOULD LIKE TO TEST THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THIS CARBON STEEL SPLITTER AND THE CAST IRON CRACKER XL. IF ANYONE CAN PROVIDE THE PRODUCT I WILL DO A FAIR COMPARISON BETWEEN THE EQUALLY SIZED PRODUCTS.
We had a massive comment section going and somehow it is deleted and is gone! No idea what happened but there was so much good discussion taking place with so many users. Great criticism. Great education. Hopefully it shows back up. There was some great stuff shared. Meanwhile, don't be afraid to add new comments as I'm sure we'll end up covering all the same territory again! At this time it says I had over 45 comments, which in total had around 200 replies. There are now under 5 showing. Weird.
Decent video for the Vevor. You're NOT comparing a KINDLING CRACKER to the Vevor. "Kindling Cracker" is a MFG and night and day difference from the unit you're using for comparison that's NOT a "real" Kindling Cracker. I have both sizes of the real Kindling Cracker and they perform extremely well.
So, I have WHAT I THOUGHT was a legitimate name brand Kindling Cracker. However it is was mounted to a stump a few acres away and it has disappeared in the last few months (time for a trail cam). The product that is shown in the video seems to be a clone of the name brand kindling cracker. Cast iron. Blunt "buster" type head. Wide flare at the base of the head. I do like my snug niture splitter. However, obviously, I'm limited to size of wood I can put into it. Also, with some of the much harder woods like Pecan or even some of my Oak it can be a pain in the butt to split. I've tried heavier hammers and they seem like overkill for how small the kindling cracker is. However, I do love the smaller kindling splitter for my softer woods. I also, obviously, prefer softer wood for kindling so it works great. I was, however, impressed with the narrow and sharp head on the Vevor product because it allowed me to split harder and bigger pieces of wood even with that tiny sledge. I was unaware until recently of the "Kindling Cracker XL King: product, but now it makes sense why VEVOR would make such a big one. They're trying to compete. In fact only recently did I come to realize that Kindling Cracker is not just a term used for kindling splitters but it's a patented NAME BRAND from the inventor that made the first version of this product. I'm currently trying to see if Kindling Cracker would like to send me a unit so I can do a side by side comparison. The description of this video addresses a lot of this, but you are correct. I'm not doing and apples to apples comparison, as I didn't even know Kindling Cracker made a bigger splitter until I posted this video and everyone started telling me about it. In fact... the one I had in the woods was one I got at a farmers market and said "kindling cracker" on the box. However.... I am coming to believe it wasn't a genuine kindling Cracker at all, as it said it was made in China and had no patent pending pressed into iron. It appears the actual Kindling Crackers are made in Australia, so... now I wonder if I've ever even seen a legitimate Kindling Cracker or if all I've ever seen is Chinese imposters of a patented product. I'm further investigating and talking with Kindling Cracker corporate to learn what I can and I'll eventually post another video to share my discoveries.
What makes the difference is the design of the wedge. The Vevor with its "V-Shape" performs better for both soft and hard woods because it impacts and starts to split the wood at the perimeter versus the center unlike the other product that impacts the center first. It is not widely known but striking the outside of a log first and then working to the center is more proficient.
That’s correct. However, I recently bought a legitimate namebrand, kindling cracker and I’m going to put them up against each other in a stress test. Coming up pretty soon. Totally different splitters. Totally different construction. Possibly totally different. Build quality. Looking forward to seeing how that goes. We will see who comes out, victorious and who comes out the loser.
I burn eastern hardwoods, mostly maple, beech, oak and birches. I often collect the limbs taken off of them, put them into 5 gallon buckets and use them as kindling and tinder. The buckets get set aside and are allowed to dry, and that is it. If needed, I could use a hatchet to make kindling. These tools look nice, but really not needed for what I do. Thanks for the video. Nice to see how these work.
Sure thing buddy. I hear you! I guess i'm in a situation where I just have so many dang trees I end up burning a lot of the limbs or I'd never get through them. I currently have 12 trees down and another 8 standing that must come down. The average tree is 18" to 28" across and anywhere between 30 and 80 feet tall. So... I usually end up sticking to whatever is log splitter size and splitting down those portions to kindling from the softer woods. I haven't taken down any poplar to split yet this year, due to a disability that's kept me from doing any firewood production the last year, so i'm splitting solely hardwoods at this point and all of the pieces are large. I definitely need to get some smaller stuff back in the mix.
Thanks for the suggestion! I would like to do that comparison video. Unfortunately I am now quite "Kindling Splitter Rich" and won't be spending any more money in the near future on kindling splitters. I do know that I have a different kindling splitter video in the works with another brand that appears to be collapsible so it would be a simple splitter to take camping. However, that one is a gift so that'll be 3 kindling splitters in my collection! If someone wants to send a Kindling Cracker KING or the XL model my way to review, I'll put together a side by side with all 4. Otherwise... it will probably be a loooong time until I see another kindling splitter. Thanks for the suggestion and thanks for watching. I appreciate you being part of the conversation.
My kindling kracker looks different than yours. Mine is extremely well built, and very heavy duty. Not sure if it’s because I bought the bigger one or if it’s an older model, but the thing is a tank.
I wonder if you got the Kindling Cracker XL. I've heard that it's a bigger unit. It is quite a bit more expensive than this Vevor unit, but I've never seen one. Thanks for checking it out and being part of the conversation.
Neither of the items in this video are the authentic, patented Kindling Cracker™ the smaller thing you had is certainly a patented infringing copy of Ayla's invention. Seems you've never had the actual real deal.
Sharp hatchet and a piece of the wood I'm splitting for a hammer. I always cut some 10 inch cookies for kindling. Straight red oak splits pretty easy at just 10 inches. Just an old guy that trys to keep things simple. Thanks for the video. Contemplated buying one of those but glad I didn't now..
I had thought about cutting rounds and splitting them up. I was gonna cut a few next time I was out dealing with some trees. Glad you said something. I'm curious how it will work out. I have a pretty bad disability with my legs and backs so I'm always looking to work smarter and not harder. Thanks for being part of the conversation.
I actually sit in a lawn chair when I'm making kindling. I bundle them up with seasonal ribbon and put them in wicker baskets to sell at market or give as gifts. It's almost embarrassing how much money I can make from one 24 inch round. I use a stihl hatchet that I try to keep almost shaving sharp so Ive got to be careful. For the ones I sell I cut 8 inch rounds. Nice to be retired.
That's super interesting. I would love to see exactly what your final product looks like. I'm having a hard time envisioning it. You've got me hooked, sir! I gotta' know!
I split my kindling small like the size of a carpenters pencil or alittle larger. I buy baskets at yard sales or flea markets. My wife gets me big ribbon like for fancy gift wrapping. Make bundles depending on size of basket and put 2 3 or 4 bundles in a basket. My Christmas baskets I put a few pine cones in all pretty. Wife ties fancy Bow and attaches it to the handle. Women love stuff like that. I price by size and how nice the basket looks.
Oh, so you're literally cutting like... 10 inch rounds as in 10" long? And then splitting that down into tiny pieces? See.... I like that. I was telling my kids that I wanted to make a bunch of stuff around 1/2" x 1" x 12" or something like that. I was wanting to fill this kindling basket by our main floor fireplace with a big pile. You kinda connected some dots for me there. I was thinking about going about that a totally different way. I appreciate you speaking up. That's really a nice idea. And yeah.... for folks who woodburn... great item for a gift or to sell even. I expect to have quite an excess of firewood next time I drop the dead wood and the trees that are ready to go, so I might be selling off some firewood next fall once it's had a year to dry out. Some little kindling bundles the way you're talking about would be a great project for the kids to earn some cash on the side. Good stuff, man! Really appreciate it!
Did you try to sharpen the edge of the small splitter? I recently bought a similar small one of probably Chinese origins and it didn't want to split anything without applying brute force. Then I sat down with my Dremel and some of my knife sharpening gear for half an hour to put a proper edge onto it that could cut paper and it was a difference like day and night, it didn't bounce back anymore, even with hardwood. The small size is not a problem for me because normally I use the splitting axe until it is so small that continuing with the big axe becomes impractical, at this point it is small enough to put it into the small kindling cracker.
I've just always mostly done soft wood. I have a lot of poplar on the property so it's not a huge issue for me. BUT.... I was thinking of throwing a tighter edge on it with the grinder. Maybe..... Thanks for the comment. I appreciate it. Merry Christmas
The kindling Kracker XL is better made no welds to break. But this unit you are comparing to that little one seems to be holding its own on splitting up wood. Thanks for the video.
I cut all my firewood 16 inches long. at the beginning if the season I cut 16 inch popular logs in half to give me an 8 inch log. I then use my log splitter to split 1 x 1 inch pieces. in 30 minutes I can split enough kindling for the season.
I have a few poplars I need to get through this year. I was thinking that I'd be cutting a lot of that into shorter lengths and letting it dry until next season and using it mainly as kindling and very small firewood to get the flue heated up and the updraft going, and then star adding my harder woods on top of that once the firebox is warming up. 8" sounds like a nice size to work with for kindling. I usually have 16" but you know how that goes. long firebox. interesting stacking game. I end up snapping most of it in half anyway, so... i might just cut up some 8 or 10 inchers. Lots of good suggestions in here from different folks who do it differently.
Stick a small wash tub or hot ash bucket on the log then stick splitter in that and mount it thru the tub to the log. Saves you from chasing chunks all over the place.
I accidentally left out the very last portion of this video. I like having the front of the stump open, so I don't want to stick it down in a bucket or a tire. I like having access to the front of the stump if I wanna pull out the hatchet. What I did do is use an old political sign that was laying around at the end of the street and screw it to the back of the stump so it creates a short wall around the back half of my work surface. It works great. I even filmed it. I just forgot to transfer it to the computer and edit it in. Some people really like the bucket trick, or the old tire trick! I think it's a great idea. For anyone looking for a simple solution, and not looking to use the stump for hatchet work like I am, I agree with Jimmie. Get a little bucket or tub or something that you can set the kindling splitter in and bolt it down through the tup into your stump or work surface. It works great. Thanks for adding to the conversation, Jimmie.
A few weeks ago I said the words "second stump" to my wife and she said "you are not clogging up our carport with a second stump". I know where to pick my battles! Haha. If I had it my way I'd have a workbench in there. And a refrigerator. And another wood burner. And... a flatscreen. But I guess that's why I have the shop.
Actually I have an unbearable amount of poplar on the property. A few look like they need to come down pretty soon due to some pretty unhealthy leaning. I would prefer to use the poplar as kindling as it will burn easy and hot very quickly. It's the softest wood I have access to.... well.... other than a few pines. Back when I lived in the Rockies all we had was pine. Now I live out in the south east and people practically lose their minds if you mention burning pine due to the horrors of CREOSOTE. It's funny. Anyway, I love softwood for kindling. I spent the first 40 years of my life burning NOTHING but pine and the occasional maple. Pine ain't a bad wood. It just burns fast. I have an 80 foot pine sectioned off laying down my road and the rounds are about 30" across so.... it ain't gonna fit in the log splitter. I'd love to find a way to get it split up, as it would be a few ricks of wood. But... it'll probably get loaded into a massive pile and burned this summer when my buddy brings his skid steer over. Darn shame. Ton of good wood there. Thanks for commenting. Love to talk to folks who watched. Hope you'll subscribe and check back in for future videos.
Looks like both of these are copies of the patented Kindling Cracker firewood splitter invented by Ayla Hutchinson? Validated patent in USA, Canada, China, Japan, NZ, Australia and Europe.....
Agreed! I’ve been talking with Kindling Cracker! I’m wanting to do a stress test side by side and also do a short story about Ayla. Still waiting for kindling cracker to align final details.
Check out the description to this video. I've addressed this issue. I'm currently working on seeing if I can acquire this "Kindling Cracker XL King" product and do a comparison of both of these products
Great question! Thanks for joining the conversations! In the video I was using a short handle 3 lb sledge. I would probably recommend moving up to a 4 - 5 lb sledge with the longer handle. I have one on order.
@@thejoyoffixing I've been wanting a kindling cracker, for a few years, but I'm too cheap to spend $100 on one when I've been using a hammer and wedge for years, with success.. I'm just ready to simplify the task. Went ahead and put an order in for the Vevor.. Thanks for the video! Happy New Year!
@@brianwilson8119 Shoot, my man, glad you found the video useful. Hope it treats you as good as it's treating me. I can definitely say that I think a legitimate name brand Kindling Cracker might last a lot longer, as I've only had this one a few months. BUT... like you said, If you're not into spending that much right now... this seems to be a pretty cool option. When I made this video they were on SUPER discount on Amazon for like 40 bucks for Christmas shopping but now they're back up closer to their normal retail price. Thanks for commenting. Looking forward to talking to you in other video comment sections hopefully.
Oh I'll get out the grinder for sure. Just haven't had it near the shop. But I just use that one for poplar and beachtree anyway so i'm not too worried about hardwood with it.
Apparently the name brand Kindling Cracker is pretty good with hardwoods, from what I've been told. I'm hoping to review one after the new year at some time.
I don't see the point of either cutters, Just use a small axe and hit it with a hammer for kindling. I think an axe and a hammer are safer as well because your hand is not holding the wood
I've used a hatchet for a long time. It has its place. I have no problem using it. For someone who is not a PRO with a hatchet and is competent enough to drop a small hammer on a log these types of products are a great option. I enjoy mine as well. We shall have to agree to disagree. Thanks for being part of the conversation.
It's definitely really unsafe when using the wrong hammer (hardened metal on hardened metal). Besides that, you need one hand for each tool, so you have no free hand to grab the wood.
Exactly this. I actually love cutting kindling in the woods or down in the shop at my other wood burner just using a hatchet, and no hammer... once you get it into the wood you just tap the wood on the ground a few times and the hatchet will drop in and split it just fine. BUT... for the kids, and honestly when my disability is acting up and my hands are feeling painful.... the fiberglass handle mini-sledge and a kindling splitter really help me get the job done easily and quickly. But yeah man... a sledge and a hatchet and of having control of the wood once it starts getting smaller is more work than just using the splitter. BUT.... everyone has their own way and I won't knock on ANY of it because we all have our preferences. I even have some things I prefer to do the hard way, just because it's nostalgic to me or even therapeutic.
@CrashMcCancer - I see my most devoted hater had some more time on his hands this morning. Come on buddy... drink a cup of coffee and make some friends. We're not all that bad. You can be a big boy too and learn to play nice. Nobody likes a bully.
@@thejoyoffixing Crash has been banned from this channel for being abusive toward multiple people in the comments section. Absolutely any opinion is encouraged to take place here. We want a open conversation at all times and all opinions and experience matters. However, bullying and outright targeted attacks will not be tolerated.
Mr Fancy Pants over here! That does sounds pretty nice. I just have so much stinking wood I could never justify paying for anything that relates to a fire.
WARNING!! THE FOLLOWING PART OF THIS COMMENT WAS MY ORIGINAL COMMENT I MADE. I DIDN'T LOOK AT ALL THE INFO BEFORE POPING OFF WITH A HARSH JUDGMENT. THE CREATOR TOOK THE TIME TO EXPLAIN THE PARTS I MISSED. Testing a knockoff with another knockoff. I don't have my real kindling cracker bolted down and it's so heavy it doesn't move. Those are both mild steel junk. It looks like a vevor kiss up, please send me more free stuff video.
In the description I state that I do have a genuine Kindling Cracker a few acres away in the woods bolted to a stump which recently diaspeared. However, I'm questioning if it was even an authentic name brand Kindling Cracker or a Chinese clone. It was absolutely identical to the "snug niture" splitter I used in the video. Cast Iron. I've beat the hell out of it and it has NEVER had an issue. However, when I get into some of my Oak, Pecan and other hardwoods I did struggle getting the Kindling Cracker (again, not sure if it was a name brand kindling cracker, as I might have been sold a Chinese clone) to split the wood. I've had success when using a full blown sledge but the amount of force it takes will surely destroy my Kindling Cracker. It has a wide blunt head like a Wood Buster, and that can simply be too blunt and wide for splitting certain species of wood. That is why I liked this Vevor splitter. The head is very sharp and narrow so it gets right into the grain of any hardness of wood. I truly do like it better for my ultra-hardwoods and therefore it makes a better splitter for my right by the house. As I also stated in the video, I still like my Snug Niture (cast iron and typically bolted down so there is no bounce or loss of striking energy transfer). They're all great products especially for my smaller pine, poplar, beach wood and some other stuff I have. BUT, as far as right by the house... I'm replacing them with this Vevor product. When I need to go out in the freezing cold real quick, grab anything I can reach on the log piles and KNOW that it will split it with minimal effort... its the right tool for me. When I'm looking to be at the shop or in the woods all bundled up and ready to split a big pile of kindling with no worries about being cold... that ol' "kindling cracker" on the stump or my Snug Niture on the stump will be just fine with a bigger hammer.... as long as the wood isn't too hard. Many people just say "Use a big sledge" but honestly... I'm not out to abuse my tools, and to split some of the hardwood I have on my property I would have to abuse my tools and waste a lot of energy. As you can see, I've tried to be fair in my reply to your accusations. I've done this with every person who has commented similarly. I'm not here to shill a product. If I don't like it I'll say so. This product was genuinely exciting to me because it was so sharp and did hardwood so effortlessly. The one thing I can say is that this produce seems to be made of Carbon Steel. It will be interesting to see how it holds up. The Cast Iron tools are pretty much NEVER going to change, and the blunt head won't either. BUT... this carbon steel cutter might eventually require sharpening. I have no idea. Only time will tell. Despite the criticism and maybe some undue accusation, I still appreciate your comment and hope that this response convinces you that I'm being genuine and always will be with videos on this channel.
@thejoyoffixing I apologize for accusing you. It was a fast judgment. Of course I wouldn't talk like that in person. You do a good job I watched your video on the flu damper and learned something. I'm gonna put one in. My chimney is really tall on a two story house. Some times it draws to much and the stove goes wide open when I have it backed way off.
@@AdamPlayFarms Hey man. An apology goes a long way in my book. We all jump the gun sometimes and being able to admit it and come together is something to celebrate. I would appreciate if you'd be willing to edit that original comment to state that we resolved our differences, but don't delete it as the context does matter and leaves a good example for others of how to handle touchy territory like this online. I'm glad you liked the "flue" or "damper" video. Just the fact I used the word "flue: so many times caused quite the controversy. haha. The disclaimer I had to leave in the comments for that video is downright hilarious. Thanks for watching. I have some good projects coming up. I just don't want to rush them and I'm waiting on some supplies. Stay in touch. Good to meet you.
18:25 is, in my opinion, the best part of this video. True comparison of the struggle with hardwood on the blunter smaller Snug Niture Splitter vs the larger thinner blade of this VEVOR splitter.
ATTENTION: SEE VIDEO DESCRIPTION ABOUT ACTUAL NAME BRAND KINDLING CRACKERS! I AM CURRENTLY LOOKING TO COMPARE THIS PRODUCT TO A KINDLING CRACKER XL KING / AND A NAME BRAND KINDLING CRACKER. I WOULD LIKE TO TEST THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THIS CARBON STEEL SPLITTER AND THE CAST IRON CRACKER XL. IF ANYONE CAN PROVIDE THE PRODUCT I WILL DO A FAIR COMPARISON BETWEEN THE EQUALLY SIZED PRODUCTS.
I was debating between buying the vevor splitter and the kindling king. Ended up going with the kindling cracker. Effortless splitting. Great vid.
I’m gonna get a kindling Cracker XL king and do some side by sides.
We had a massive comment section going and somehow it is deleted and is gone! No idea what happened but there was so much good discussion taking place with so many users. Great criticism. Great education. Hopefully it shows back up. There was some great stuff shared. Meanwhile, don't be afraid to add new comments as I'm sure we'll end up covering all the same territory again!
At this time it says I had over 45 comments, which in total had around 200 replies. There are now under 5 showing. Weird.
18:25 is an excellent comparison of the two tools on real hardwood. It might be the best part of the video. It's worth watching until the end.
This is probably one of the best parts of the video, for sure.
Decent video for the Vevor. You're NOT comparing a KINDLING CRACKER to the Vevor. "Kindling Cracker" is a MFG and night and day difference from the unit you're using for comparison that's NOT a "real" Kindling Cracker. I have both sizes of the real Kindling Cracker and they perform extremely well.
So, I have WHAT I THOUGHT was a legitimate name brand Kindling Cracker. However it is was mounted to a stump a few acres away and it has disappeared in the last few months (time for a trail cam). The product that is shown in the video seems to be a clone of the name brand kindling cracker. Cast iron. Blunt "buster" type head. Wide flare at the base of the head.
I do like my snug niture splitter. However, obviously, I'm limited to size of wood I can put into it. Also, with some of the much harder woods like Pecan or even some of my Oak it can be a pain in the butt to split. I've tried heavier hammers and they seem like overkill for how small the kindling cracker is. However, I do love the smaller kindling splitter for my softer woods. I also, obviously, prefer softer wood for kindling so it works great. I was, however, impressed with the narrow and sharp head on the Vevor product because it allowed me to split harder and bigger pieces of wood even with that tiny sledge.
I was unaware until recently of the "Kindling Cracker XL King: product, but now it makes sense why VEVOR would make such a big one. They're trying to compete. In fact only recently did I come to realize that Kindling Cracker is not just a term used for kindling splitters but it's a patented NAME BRAND from the inventor that made the first version of this product.
I'm currently trying to see if Kindling Cracker would like to send me a unit so I can do a side by side comparison.
The description of this video addresses a lot of this, but you are correct. I'm not doing and apples to apples comparison, as I didn't even know Kindling Cracker made a bigger splitter until I posted this video and everyone started telling me about it. In fact... the one I had in the woods was one I got at a farmers market and said "kindling cracker" on the box. However.... I am coming to believe it wasn't a genuine kindling Cracker at all, as it said it was made in China and had no patent pending pressed into iron. It appears the actual Kindling Crackers are made in Australia, so... now I wonder if I've ever even seen a legitimate Kindling Cracker or if all I've ever seen is Chinese imposters of a patented product.
I'm further investigating and talking with Kindling Cracker corporate to learn what I can and I'll eventually post another video to share my discoveries.
What makes the difference is the design of the wedge. The Vevor with its "V-Shape" performs better for both soft and hard woods because it impacts and starts to split the wood at the perimeter versus the center unlike the other product that impacts the center first. It is not widely known but striking the outside of a log first and then working to the center is more proficient.
That’s correct. However, I recently bought a legitimate namebrand, kindling cracker and I’m going to put them up against each other in a stress test. Coming up pretty soon. Totally different splitters. Totally different construction. Possibly totally different. Build quality. Looking forward to seeing how that goes. We will see who comes out, victorious and who comes out the loser.
I burn eastern hardwoods, mostly maple, beech, oak and birches. I often collect the limbs taken off of them, put them into 5 gallon buckets and use them as kindling and tinder. The buckets get set aside and are allowed to dry, and that is it. If needed, I could use a hatchet to make kindling. These tools look nice, but really not needed for what I do. Thanks for the video. Nice to see how these work.
Sure thing buddy. I hear you! I guess i'm in a situation where I just have so many dang trees I end up burning a lot of the limbs or I'd never get through them. I currently have 12 trees down and another 8 standing that must come down. The average tree is 18" to 28" across and anywhere between 30 and 80 feet tall. So... I usually end up sticking to whatever is log splitter size and splitting down those portions to kindling from the softer woods. I haven't taken down any poplar to split yet this year, due to a disability that's kept me from doing any firewood production the last year, so i'm splitting solely hardwoods at this point and all of the pieces are large. I definitely need to get some smaller stuff back in the mix.
I would like to see the comparison of the Vevor and the Kindling cracker "King" firewood splitter. Thank you.
Thanks for the suggestion! I would like to do that comparison video. Unfortunately I am now quite "Kindling Splitter Rich" and won't be spending any more money in the near future on kindling splitters.
I do know that I have a different kindling splitter video in the works with another brand that appears to be collapsible so it would be a simple splitter to take camping. However, that one is a gift so that'll be 3 kindling splitters in my collection!
If someone wants to send a Kindling Cracker KING or the XL model my way to review, I'll put together a side by side with all 4. Otherwise... it will probably be a loooong time until I see another kindling splitter.
Thanks for the suggestion and thanks for watching. I appreciate you being part of the conversation.
My kindling kracker looks different than yours. Mine is extremely well built, and very heavy duty. Not sure if it’s because I bought the bigger one or if it’s an older model, but the thing is a tank.
I wonder if you got the Kindling Cracker XL. I've heard that it's a bigger unit. It is quite a bit more expensive than this Vevor unit, but I've never seen one.
Thanks for checking it out and being part of the conversation.
Neither of the items in this video are the authentic, patented Kindling Cracker™ the smaller thing you had is certainly a patented infringing copy of Ayla's invention. Seems you've never had the actual real deal.
Sharp hatchet and a piece of the wood I'm splitting for a hammer. I always cut some 10 inch cookies for kindling. Straight red oak splits pretty easy at just 10 inches. Just an old guy that trys to keep things simple. Thanks for the video. Contemplated buying one of those but glad I didn't now..
I had thought about cutting rounds and splitting them up. I was gonna cut a few next time I was out dealing with some trees. Glad you said something. I'm curious how it will work out. I have a pretty bad disability with my legs and backs so I'm always looking to work smarter and not harder.
Thanks for being part of the conversation.
I actually sit in a lawn chair when I'm making kindling. I bundle them up with seasonal ribbon and put them in wicker baskets to sell at market or give as gifts. It's almost embarrassing how much money I can make from one 24 inch round. I use a stihl hatchet that I try to keep almost shaving sharp so Ive got to be careful. For the ones I sell I cut 8 inch rounds. Nice to be retired.
That's super interesting. I would love to see exactly what your final product looks like. I'm having a hard time envisioning it. You've got me hooked, sir! I gotta' know!
I split my kindling small like the size of a carpenters pencil or alittle larger. I buy baskets at yard sales or flea markets. My wife gets me big ribbon like for fancy gift wrapping. Make bundles depending on size of basket and put 2 3 or 4 bundles in a basket. My Christmas baskets I put a few pine cones in all pretty. Wife ties fancy Bow and attaches it to the handle. Women love stuff like that. I price by size and how nice the basket looks.
Oh, so you're literally cutting like... 10 inch rounds as in 10" long? And then splitting that down into tiny pieces? See.... I like that. I was telling my kids that I wanted to make a bunch of stuff around 1/2" x 1" x 12" or something like that. I was wanting to fill this kindling basket by our main floor fireplace with a big pile.
You kinda connected some dots for me there. I was thinking about going about that a totally different way.
I appreciate you speaking up. That's really a nice idea. And yeah.... for folks who woodburn... great item for a gift or to sell even. I expect to have quite an excess of firewood next time I drop the dead wood and the trees that are ready to go, so I might be selling off some firewood next fall once it's had a year to dry out. Some little kindling bundles the way you're talking about would be a great project for the kids to earn some cash on the side.
Good stuff, man! Really appreciate it!
Did you try to sharpen the edge of the small splitter? I recently bought a similar small one of probably Chinese origins and it didn't want to split anything without applying brute force. Then I sat down with my Dremel and some of my knife sharpening gear for half an hour to put a proper edge onto it that could cut paper and it was a difference like day and night, it didn't bounce back anymore, even with hardwood.
The small size is not a problem for me because normally I use the splitting axe until it is so small that continuing with the big axe becomes impractical, at this point it is small enough to put it into the small kindling cracker.
I've just always mostly done soft wood. I have a lot of poplar on the property so it's not a huge issue for me. BUT.... I was thinking of throwing a tighter edge on it with the grinder. Maybe.....
Thanks for the comment. I appreciate it. Merry Christmas
The kindling Kracker XL is better made no welds to break. But this unit you are comparing to that little one seems to be holding its own on splitting up wood. Thanks for the video.
No problem. I think I’m going to buy myself a genuine, kindling cracker. Might compare it to these other two and make a video.
@@thejoyoffixing You should definitely do that 🙂
I cut all my firewood 16 inches long. at the beginning if the season I cut 16 inch popular logs in half to give me an 8 inch log. I then use my log splitter to split 1 x 1 inch pieces. in 30 minutes I can split enough kindling for the season.
I have a few poplars I need to get through this year. I was thinking that I'd be cutting a lot of that into shorter lengths and letting it dry until next season and using it mainly as kindling and very small firewood to get the flue heated up and the updraft going, and then star adding my harder woods on top of that once the firebox is warming up.
8" sounds like a nice size to work with for kindling. I usually have 16" but you know how that goes. long firebox. interesting stacking game. I end up snapping most of it in half anyway, so... i might just cut up some 8 or 10 inchers.
Lots of good suggestions in here from different folks who do it differently.
Stick a small wash tub or hot ash bucket on the log then stick splitter in that and mount it thru the tub to the log. Saves you from chasing chunks all over the place.
I accidentally left out the very last portion of this video. I like having the front of the stump open, so I don't want to stick it down in a bucket or a tire. I like having access to the front of the stump if I wanna pull out the hatchet. What I did do is use an old political sign that was laying around at the end of the street and screw it to the back of the stump so it creates a short wall around the back half of my work surface. It works great. I even filmed it. I just forgot to transfer it to the computer and edit it in.
Some people really like the bucket trick, or the old tire trick! I think it's a great idea. For anyone looking for a simple solution, and not looking to use the stump for hatchet work like I am, I agree with Jimmie. Get a little bucket or tub or something that you can set the kindling splitter in and bolt it down through the tup into your stump or work surface. It works great.
Thanks for adding to the conversation, Jimmie.
@@thejoyoffixing you can solve that by having a second stup. Lol. 🫣😆
A few weeks ago I said the words "second stump" to my wife and she said "you are not clogging up our carport with a second stump". I know where to pick my battles! Haha.
If I had it my way I'd have a workbench in there. And a refrigerator. And another wood burner. And... a flatscreen. But I guess that's why I have the shop.
@@thejoyoffixing lol 😂
Large cracker, White Oak, 3lb hammer can be tough but I like to take my frustrations out.
Watching pieces of wood explode is sometimes the exact therapy I need.
I only use pine for kindling but if you only have hardwood then I guess you can’t use soft wood for kindling.
Actually I have an unbearable amount of poplar on the property. A few look like they need to come down pretty soon due to some pretty unhealthy leaning. I would prefer to use the poplar as kindling as it will burn easy and hot very quickly. It's the softest wood I have access to.... well.... other than a few pines.
Back when I lived in the Rockies all we had was pine. Now I live out in the south east and people practically lose their minds if you mention burning pine due to the horrors of CREOSOTE. It's funny.
Anyway, I love softwood for kindling. I spent the first 40 years of my life burning NOTHING but pine and the occasional maple. Pine ain't a bad wood. It just burns fast. I have an 80 foot pine sectioned off laying down my road and the rounds are about 30" across so.... it ain't gonna fit in the log splitter. I'd love to find a way to get it split up, as it would be a few ricks of wood. But... it'll probably get loaded into a massive pile and burned this summer when my buddy brings his skid steer over. Darn shame. Ton of good wood there.
Thanks for commenting. Love to talk to folks who watched. Hope you'll subscribe and check back in for future videos.
Looks like both of these are copies of the patented Kindling Cracker firewood splitter invented by Ayla Hutchinson? Validated patent in USA, Canada, China, Japan, NZ, Australia and Europe.....
Agreed! I’ve been talking with Kindling Cracker! I’m wanting to do a stress test side by side and also do a short story about Ayla. Still waiting for kindling cracker to align final details.
That's a baby kindling cracker. Need the bigger one for apples to apples comparison. Also looks different than new models
Check out the description to this video. I've addressed this issue. I'm currently working on seeing if I can acquire this "Kindling Cracker XL King" product and do a comparison of both of these products
What weight and length hammer would you recommend? Thanks
Great question! Thanks for joining the conversations!
In the video I was using a short handle 3 lb sledge. I would probably recommend moving up to a 4 - 5 lb sledge with the longer handle. I have one on order.
How is it after some time using it? Any issues?
No issues yet! it’s been rock solid. I’m gonna put it through a heavy stress test in a few weeks
@@thejoyoffixing I've been wanting a kindling cracker, for a few years, but I'm too cheap to spend $100 on one when I've been using a hammer and wedge for years, with success.. I'm just ready to simplify the task. Went ahead and put an order in for the Vevor.. Thanks for the video! Happy New Year!
@@brianwilson8119 Shoot, my man, glad you found the video useful. Hope it treats you as good as it's treating me. I can definitely say that I think a legitimate name brand Kindling Cracker might last a lot longer, as I've only had this one a few months. BUT... like you said, If you're not into spending that much right now... this seems to be a pretty cool option. When I made this video they were on SUPER discount on Amazon for like 40 bucks for Christmas shopping but now they're back up closer to their normal retail price.
Thanks for commenting. Looking forward to talking to you in other video comment sections hopefully.
❤😊 Good review!
Thanks for watching
Wonder why a 2 blade cross wouldn't work ?
Why wouldn’t it?
I only split 3/4s of my wood. I burn complete rounds at night because they burn slower.
Honestly my rounds are just so dang big I couldn't lift them or get them in the stove. The majority of my rounds are at least 18" to 24".
The top of my wood stove has a sliding hinge so I can drop as big as 26" diameter rounds in.
Although I've never dropped anything bigger than 16" in it.
4 inch angle grinder will sharpen the old kindling cracker. But I get it.
Oh I'll get out the grinder for sure. Just haven't had it near the shop. But I just use that one for poplar and beachtree anyway so i'm not too worried about hardwood with it.
How many hammer handles do you go through in a year?
None. I haven't broken a hammer handle in.... a long time.
Yes. Hardwood was about impossible. I sent mine back for refund
Apparently the name brand Kindling Cracker is pretty good with hardwoods, from what I've been told. I'm hoping to review one after the new year at some time.
@@thejoyoffixing That's right 🙂
I don't see the point of either cutters, Just use a small axe and hit it with a hammer for kindling. I think an axe and a hammer are safer as well because your hand is not holding the wood
I've used a hatchet for a long time. It has its place. I have no problem using it. For someone who is not a PRO with a hatchet and is competent enough to drop a small hammer on a log these types of products are a great option. I enjoy mine as well.
We shall have to agree to disagree. Thanks for being part of the conversation.
It's definitely really unsafe when using the wrong hammer (hardened metal on hardened metal). Besides that, you need one hand for each tool, so you have no free hand to grab the wood.
Exactly this. I actually love cutting kindling in the woods or down in the shop at my other wood burner just using a hatchet, and no hammer... once you get it into the wood you just tap the wood on the ground a few times and the hatchet will drop in and split it just fine. BUT... for the kids, and honestly when my disability is acting up and my hands are feeling painful.... the fiberglass handle mini-sledge and a kindling splitter really help me get the job done easily and quickly. But yeah man... a sledge and a hatchet and of having control of the wood once it starts getting smaller is more work than just using the splitter.
BUT.... everyone has their own way and I won't knock on ANY of it because we all have our preferences. I even have some things I prefer to do the hard way, just because it's nostalgic to me or even therapeutic.
@CrashMcCancer - I see my most devoted hater had some more time on his hands this morning. Come on buddy... drink a cup of coffee and make some friends. We're not all that bad. You can be a big boy too and learn to play nice. Nobody likes a bully.
@@thejoyoffixing Crash has been banned from this channel for being abusive toward multiple people in the comments section. Absolutely any opinion is encouraged to take place here. We want a open conversation at all times and all opinions and experience matters. However, bullying and outright targeted attacks will not be tolerated.
Thanks but I’ll just buy fire starter chips.
Mr Fancy Pants over here! That does sounds pretty nice. I just have so much stinking wood I could never justify paying for anything that relates to a fire.
WARNING!! THE FOLLOWING PART OF THIS COMMENT WAS MY ORIGINAL COMMENT I MADE. I DIDN'T LOOK AT ALL THE INFO BEFORE POPING OFF WITH A HARSH JUDGMENT. THE CREATOR TOOK THE TIME TO EXPLAIN THE PARTS I MISSED.
Testing a knockoff with another knockoff. I don't have my real kindling cracker bolted down and it's so heavy it doesn't move. Those are both mild steel junk. It looks like a vevor kiss up, please send me more free stuff video.
In the description I state that I do have a genuine Kindling Cracker a few acres away in the woods bolted to a stump which recently diaspeared. However, I'm questioning if it was even an authentic name brand Kindling Cracker or a Chinese clone. It was absolutely identical to the "snug niture" splitter I used in the video. Cast Iron. I've beat the hell out of it and it has NEVER had an issue. However, when I get into some of my Oak, Pecan and other hardwoods I did struggle getting the Kindling Cracker (again, not sure if it was a name brand kindling cracker, as I might have been sold a Chinese clone) to split the wood. I've had success when using a full blown sledge but the amount of force it takes will surely destroy my Kindling Cracker. It has a wide blunt head like a Wood Buster, and that can simply be too blunt and wide for splitting certain species of wood.
That is why I liked this Vevor splitter. The head is very sharp and narrow so it gets right into the grain of any hardness of wood. I truly do like it better for my ultra-hardwoods and therefore it makes a better splitter for my right by the house.
As I also stated in the video, I still like my Snug Niture (cast iron and typically bolted down so there is no bounce or loss of striking energy transfer). They're all great products especially for my smaller pine, poplar, beach wood and some other stuff I have. BUT, as far as right by the house... I'm replacing them with this Vevor product. When I need to go out in the freezing cold real quick, grab anything I can reach on the log piles and KNOW that it will split it with minimal effort... its the right tool for me. When I'm looking to be at the shop or in the woods all bundled up and ready to split a big pile of kindling with no worries about being cold... that ol' "kindling cracker" on the stump or my Snug Niture on the stump will be just fine with a bigger hammer.... as long as the wood isn't too hard.
Many people just say "Use a big sledge" but honestly... I'm not out to abuse my tools, and to split some of the hardwood I have on my property I would have to abuse my tools and waste a lot of energy.
As you can see, I've tried to be fair in my reply to your accusations. I've done this with every person who has commented similarly. I'm not here to shill a product. If I don't like it I'll say so. This product was genuinely exciting to me because it was so sharp and did hardwood so effortlessly.
The one thing I can say is that this produce seems to be made of Carbon Steel. It will be interesting to see how it holds up. The Cast Iron tools are pretty much NEVER going to change, and the blunt head won't either. BUT... this carbon steel cutter might eventually require sharpening. I have no idea. Only time will tell.
Despite the criticism and maybe some undue accusation, I still appreciate your comment and hope that this response convinces you that I'm being genuine and always will be with videos on this channel.
@thejoyoffixing I apologize for accusing you. It was a fast judgment. Of course I wouldn't talk like that in person. You do a good job I watched your video on the flu damper and learned something. I'm gonna put one in. My chimney is really tall on a two story house. Some times it draws to much and the stove goes wide open when I have it backed way off.
@@AdamPlayFarms Hey man. An apology goes a long way in my book. We all jump the gun sometimes and being able to admit it and come together is something to celebrate. I would appreciate if you'd be willing to edit that original comment to state that we resolved our differences, but don't delete it as the context does matter and leaves a good example for others of how to handle touchy territory like this online.
I'm glad you liked the "flue" or "damper" video. Just the fact I used the word "flue: so many times caused quite the controversy. haha. The disclaimer I had to leave in the comments for that video is downright hilarious.
Thanks for watching. I have some good projects coming up. I just don't want to rush them and I'm waiting on some supplies.
Stay in touch. Good to meet you.
@@thejoyoffixing Kindling Cracker is a trademarked term not a noun 🙂