Kindling splitter

[British Red]

An old ganger said I should never need more than three wedges. He then demonstrated on a big stick of chestnut and it took three just to get the first one out. We were using the magnesium wedges from the saw kit as well as all the iron ones before we’d finished.

I've not got past five yet & that beast was a 40" diameter. It's more about grain than size though. I just take a chainsaw to crowns although my splitter does split them okay

 

[Pattree]

It's more about grain than size though.

Indeed - We were making chestnut fencing. Chestnut grain is twisted and stringy. You don’t have to miss your line by much to have a rope of strong wood fibres holding the piece together. They might defeat a splitter but then you wouldn’t want chestnut logs anyway - they spit sparks badly.

Splitting oak posts on a frosty day - very satisfying job!