Gonna be using my wood stove a lot this winter to keep the electric bill down so I need a good blade for cutting up small branches for firewood and kindling. I've narrowed it down to these three. Based on reviews they all seem good quality and will do what I need it to do. So now I'm kinda choosing just based on looks and coolness factor. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UNUI02C/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A3MX7Z082YOVJJ&psc=1 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006YBY9GA/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004A1IXRC/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1
First one perhaps, second one might have a bit more heft but if it's smaller branches it might not matter plus I assume the first version can be used as a saw and if the grip fits it might be more ergonomic as well instead of transferring part of the impact or shock into the hand though if it's branches and stuff instead of hardwood logs that might not factor in as much or it'd probably be better to go for a smaller axe instead. Suppose factors like treatment, material, sharpness, wear and tear or rust are also a thing but I don't know these things very well at all, knife laws are fairly strict here as well so carrying a proper machete blade around is not really common. Or just go TV commercial style. (That axe is just there for like no reason at all..)
Wouldn't a small hatchet be better for chopping kindling? I spent the majority of my first 20 years living in wood heated homes and we never used a machete for kindling (machete was for clearing brush etc.). A good quality machete is a great multi purpose tool and if I was going camping I'd opt for one for sure, but for dedicated small firewood and kindling I think a hatchet is a better option.
Stuff like this is what I'm mainly cutting. I personally think a machete is faster and easier when it comes to this kind of wood.
So you are looking to chop sticks and small branches, not to split sawed logs into small pieces.. A machete should work nicely for you. I would get #2 for a dedicated chopper, and #3 if there was ever a chance you would want an emergency saw.
So quite small stuff, perhaps something like this ? https://www.amazon.com/Fiskars-PowerGear-Super-Pruner-Lopper/dp/B00004SD73/ And this: https://www.amazon.com/Fiskars-13-Clearing-Hook-385061-1002/dp/B01B8098CQ I have used these kind of tools but not a machette. I do prefer using power tools like a clearing saw.
Got it in the mail today and this is a nice little chopper. Took down some heavy, nasty weeds that were way out of control at the end of my driveway. Also cut some decent branches and sticks off some dead trees that have been lying around for a while. Just in time because it's supposed to be around 20 degrees tonight and this wood will get a nice fire going.
If only, ambidexterity and two axes or the complete lack of anything like dexterity would be a bit of a risk. Denmark had a solution though back in the age of bearded men drinking alcoholic honey and visiting neighboring areas for friendly trading, they just use one but made it bigger. "Sweet axe dude!" (Might have seen use in areas outside of the woodworking industry on occasion.) Bearded axes aside hopefully the machete works well for the task, never actually used one (Stricter laws here on blades too even if you're not likely to run around in public with a machete or anything like that.) though they're certainly suitable tools for various work related tasks and if there's enough weight and force I don't see any problems even with smaller logs and of course branches long as it's not some trunk or anything that needs to be split it's other than that it's probably going to do a good job for about anything else. Well the fresher non-dried logs might take some work to not embed the blade midway through depending on wood type, some of them are surprisingly sturdy. (Hardier wood might be a thing too but for that an axe might be better suited anyway.) EDIT: Too many survival or horror movies I guess and a few video games as well, thing is almost as popularized in media as the chainsaw ha ha. (Although it should be a pretty decent multi purpose tool for clearing undergrowth and woodcutting.)
