Making kindling quickly by hand with a froe

Here's how we make all our kindling. It's quick and easy, and quite a satisfying job to do too! I wrote about the method some time ago, but finally got round to making a video on how to do it:

All you need is a chopping block, an inner tube from a bike, a froe (or frow, depending how you spell it), and a wooden mallet. The inner tube is the key - it holds the log together while you finish the job of splitting it up, as you can see here:

Best not to use a fancy mallet, as it will get damaged hitting the froe. I'm using one I made myself, as in this video:

Mike

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How to make a wooden mallet from a single log

Starting with a single log, this video shows you how to shape it into a one-piece mallet. I use a chainsaw to cut a slot round the log (though a bow saw would work too), then use a side axe to trim the handle down, and finally a draw knife to smooth the handle. Enjoy...

I've been meaning to make this video for ages, and finally got round to it! Thanks to Jon and Tracy for their help in making it.

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First woodland BBQ of 2013

On Easter Monday we actually had our first BBQ in the woods, with our friends Jon and Louise visiting with their girls!

Yes, it was cold, but OK while the sun was out, and we had a fire burning as well... We also had various activities going on - Tracy and I had spent the morning moving logs on the arbor trolley:

The logs were loaded into the cutting racks and strapped down:

Tracy then got busy with the camera and got some good shots! First, adjusting the chain tension on the chainsaw:

Then cutting up the logs:

As you can see, she didn't let a few saw chips get in her way!

There was some hand-sawing as well, with Megan and Mia getting involved:

They were helping Jon cut a piece off a seasoned birch log, that we then proceeded to make into a mallet. Here's Jon using a side axe to start trimming the handle down:

You can see Jon's finished mallet here. There'll be a video on how to make a mallet coming shortly...

We also had a wander round the woods to look for signs of Spring. First up is some swelling buds on our fruit trees - maybe this year it won't rain continuously while the blossom is there, so the bees can actually get out and pollinate...

Then over in my friend Alex's wood, which faces closer to south than ours, we saw our first Wood Anemones of the year!

The whole woodland floor over there is looking much greener with the bluebells coming up...

Looking forward to a full show of Wood Anemones soon!

Mike

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