Undercrank

Happy New Log Splitter

Every man should own one of these. This blog entry explains it far more eloquently than myself, but I don't think I've ever owned a tool or implement that I actually enjoyed using before.

To be honest, before I discovered this tool of wonder, my own idea about the concept of splitting logs sat well with the writer above; indeed I quote his basic TV-gleaned theory:

Stand the log on end. Hit the fuck out of it with the ax. The log explodes into two pieces.

Isn't that the case? If only. I quickly discounted the concept of the axe after picking one up and giving it a gentle test swing. A gentle test swing that headed straight toward my leg on its downward arc. No thanks!

But after a bit of searching and impatient waiting, the Wood Grenade - possibly the greatest name for a tool ever - arrived on my doorstep looking like a giant gold tooth from a blinged-up T-Rex.

Now with a swing of a medium-sized sledgehammer there's nary a frustration to bother me any more.

Admittedly, I'm only using it to break up some store-purchased logs into something more manageable for my particular fireplace, but the basic feeling of that glorious THWOKKK that emanates from a cleanly split log can't be beat.

(FYI, I bought mine for a bargain £5.64 at toolstation.com; it'd be a good idea avoid the overpriced ones on eBay if you can.)

Sean Peters on January 9, 2007

I live on Long Island in New York.
Can anyone advise where I may be able to purchase the wood grenade? I have tried:
1.) Home Depot
2.) Lowes
3.) Local Hardware Stores.

All stores around here carry the same type of wood splitting wedges.
This is nothing new for Long Island New York.
The pack mentality around here is so bad that acquiring anything unique is nearly impossible.
If you like common run of the mill, jump on the band wagon, crap, (and paying through the nose to the head in the sand county & local governments for crippling property taxes,) then Long Island, N.Y. is for you! This place is getting so expensively bad, that the birds have to walk south for the winter because they can no longer afford to fly!

Joel Carey on February 16, 2007

I too had a difficult time finding a Wood Grenade in Seattle Washington, but finally located one at ACE HARDWARE. I believe they have stores in the Long Island area. What a great tool for splitting wood, makes it fun. However I would suggest investing in a good pair of safety glasses also. I have had some Fir logs actually "explode" upon impact with the WG and actually send wood splinters flying.
Good Luck