Manual hand log splitters are great for small to medium tasks like making kindling for your fireplace, fire pit, pizza oven, sauna, barbecue or smoker.
The best manual hand log splitters are easy to transport, and make your job safer, quicker and less costly than an electric or gas wood splitter.
There’s no repairs, fuel and very little maintenance to worry about with these tools.
To save you time researching the best manual log splitter reviews and products yourself, we’ve conveniently put it all in the one place.
We’ve reviewed some of the best manual log splitter brands like Kindling Cracker, Sun Joe’s, Quality Craft, Ludell and Collins Wood.
If you’re running a little short on time, you can check out the top rated manual hand log splitter list immediately below.
Otherwise, you can read the guide in full.
(*Friendly Disclosure – links to retailers or brands on this page may include affiliate links, and we may receive a commission when you purchase through these links)
Top Rated Manual Hand Log Splitter List
Best Manual Firewood Splitter – – Kindling Cracker Firewood Kindling Splitter (on Amazon)
Best Hydraulic Manual Log Splitter (For Bigger Logs and Wood) – – Sun Joe LJ10M Logger Joe (on Amazon)
Best Splitting Wedge – – Ludell 11605 High Grade Steel Splitting Wedge, 5lb (on Amazon)
Best Grenade Splitting Wedge – Collins Wood Splitting Wedge, Diamond Shape, 4 LBS (on Amazon)
Best Manual Hand Log Splitter Reviews
Kindling Cracker Firewood Kindling Splitter
The Kindling Cracker Firewood Kindling Splitter is for splitting 6.5 inches and thinner pieces of wood.
Who Is This Manual Hand Log Splitter For?
- Those who want a simple and safe way to split kindling for firewood
Who Is This Manual Hand Log Splitter Not For?
- Those who want to split kindling bigger than 6.5 inches in diameter
What’s Good About It?
- No moving blade, or moving parts – VERY safe and simple to use
- Easy to transport
- Uses less force than an axe – great for older people or those with injuries
- Made of cast iron – strong and durable
- Easy to maintain
- Very light – only weighs 10 pounds
What’s Not So Great?
- Can’t split wood rounds bigger than 6.5 inches in diameter
What Else Do You Need To Use This Manual Hand Log Splitter?
- A blunt instrument like a mallet or hammer to hit the wood you want to split into the splitting wedge. That is how this splitter works.
Where Can I Check Out This Manual Hand Log Splitter?
View the Kindling Cracker Firewood Kindling Splitter on Amazon
Sun Joe LJ10M Logger Joe 10 Ton Hydraulic Log Splitter
The Sun Joe LJ10M is a manually operated hand log spitter, with hydraulic leverage to give you 10 tons of splitting pressure.
Who Is This Manual Hand Log Splitter For?
- People who want a manual hand log splitter with extra help from hydraulics – great for people with injuries or older people
- People who want up to 10 tons of splitting pressure out of their manual hand splitter
- People who want to split logs up to 18 in. long x 8 in. wide
Who Is This Manual Hand Log Splitter Not For?
- People who want the cheapest manual hand splitter
What’s Good About It?
- A huge amount of splitting pressure for a manual hand splitter
- Can split logs up to 18 in. long x 8 in. wide
- Has a log cradle for split wood
- Sturdy steel construction
- Not too heavy (only 87 lbs) and has rear wheels – easy for transportability
What’s Not So Great?
- Because of the extra force, this is not the cheapest manual log splitter on the market
- You may struggle a little more with green wood, but it has zero issues with hard wood
- California residents need to be aware of the proposition 65 warning
What Else Do You Need To Use This Manual Hand Log Splitter?
- Nothing
Where Can I Check Out This Manual Hand Log Splitter?
View the Sun Joe LJ10M Logger Joe on Amazon
Quality Craft Foot-Operated Log Splitter – 1.5-Ton Capacity, Model# LSF-001
The Quality Craft Log Splitter is a manual foot operated log splitter with 1.5 tons of splitting pressure.
Who Is This Manual Hand Log Splitter For?
- Those who want to split a very small amount of wood
- Those who are OK with a splitting pressure of 1.5 tons
- Those who want a foot operated manual log splitter
- Those who are OK with a bodyweight operated log splitter
Who Is This Manual Hand Log Splitter Not For?
- Those who want a hand operated manual log splitter
- Those who want to split large logs bigger than 18in. long and 10in. in diameter
What’s Good About It?
- Folds flat – easy to move around
- Foot operated
- Great for spaces with limited space
- Good for splitting specifically smaller wood
What’s Not So Great?
- Not for large logs
- Overall materials could be stronger, but as long as you stick to small wood, you’ll be fine
What Else Do You Need To Use This Manual Hand Log Splitter?
- Nothing
Where Can I Check Out This Manual Hand Log Splitter?
View the Quality Craft Foot-Operated Log Splitter on Amazon
Anaconda 878 Slide-Hammer Manual Log Splitter
The Anaconda 878 is a sliding manual log hammer.
It operates by positioning
Who Is This Manual Hand Log Splitter For?
- Those who want an alternative to an axe, or wedge and hammer
- Those are ok with a bit of physical activity in splitting their wood
- Those who want to split wood up to 12 inches in diamter
Who Is This Manual Hand Log Splitter Not For?
- Those with physical limitations
- Those who want a manual hand log splitter that is hydraulic or requires little effort to split
What’s Good About It?
- Extremely light
- No set-up or extras involved
- Very simple to use for those who are young or old
- Very safe
- Inexpensive
- All in one tool – no need for a separate hammer and wedge
What’s Not So Great?
- Can take up to about 10-20 thrusts to split wood 12 inch in diameter – can give you a good workout!!
What Else Do You Need To Use This Manual Hand Log Splitter?
- Nothing
Where Can I Check Out This Manual Hand Log Splitter?
View the Anaconda 878 Slide-Hammer Manual Log Splitter on Amazon
Ludell 11605 High Grade Steel Splitting Wedge, 5lb
8 3/4 inches long , 2 x 2 inches at top, and 2 1/2 inch point
This is a standard steel splitting wedge
What Else Do You Need To Use This Manual Hand Log Splitter?
- A hammer to strike the wedge with
Where Can I Check Out This Manual Hand Log Splitter?
View the Ludell 11605 High Grade Steel Splitting Wedge, 5lb on Amazon
Collins Wood Splitting Wedge, Diamond Shape, 4 LBS
3 x 3 x 7 inches
This is a wood grenade that splits the wood in multiple directions
What Else Do You Need To Use This Manual Hand Log Splitter?
- A hammer to strike the wedge with
Where Can I Check Out This Manual Hand Log Splitter?
View the Collins Wood Splitting Wedge, Diamond Shape, 4 LBS on Amazon
Best Manual Hand Log Splitter: Buyer’s Guide & FAQ
Other Names For Manual Hand Log Splitters
Hand held Log Splitter
Manual Wood Splitter
Kindling Splitter
Hand Hydraulic Log Splitter
Manual Hydraulic Log Splitter
Manual Foot Log Splitter
Splitting Wedge
Wood Grenade
Slide Hammer
What Is A Manual Hand Log Splitter?
A manual log splitter is a tool or device that allows you to split wood using only your own force – not gas or electricity.
What Is A Manual Hand Log Splitter Used For, and What Does A Manual Hand Log Splitter Do?
Manual log splitters, unlike electric and gas log splitters, are not intended for cords of wood i.e. large amounts of wood or large pieces of wood.
They are better for smaller quantities of wood like house firewood, camp fire wood, and any other smaller application for splitting
Manual log splitters are for quick, easy, simply, safe and inexpensive use.
Manual log splitters are usually very light and easy to move around, with little to no set-up or pack up work.
Types of Manual Hand Log Splitters
Manual log splitters can be kindle splitters, hand operated hydraulic presses, foot operated hydraulic presses, slide hammers, splitting wedges and wood grenades.
Some people also classify mauls and axes as manual log splitters, but we haven’t covered them specifically in this article.
Manual Hand Log Splitter Bits & Accessories
A blunt heavier instrument like a hammer to hit a log into a wedge, or a wedge into a log.
How To Choose A Manual Hand Log Splitter
Consider the following:
1) Do you want a simple splitter to cut smaller quantities, or just firewood here and there? If so, consider the kindling cracker, a splitting wedge, or a slide hammer.
NOTE: these tools require some small force generated, and a small amount of exercise by yourself.
2) Do you want more force, power and the ability to split slightly larger wood? If so, consider the Sun Joe LJ10M Logger Joe 10 Ton Hydraulic Log Splitter.
This tool requires you to only operate levers, and the hydraulic press will give you leverage for the splitting.
Best Manual Hand Log Splitter For…
- Best Manual Log Splitter With Self Generated Force
Kindling Cracker Firewood Kindling Splitter
- Best Manual Hydraulic Log Splitter With Hydraulic Generated Force (10 Tons)
Sun Joe LJ10M Logger Joe 10 Ton Hydraulic Log Splitter
Features To Look For In A Manual Hand Log Splitter
How easy is it to transport?
Do you need a driving tool, like a hammer, to drive force into a splitting wedge, or into the wood (which drives into a wedge)?
How much force do you need to generate yourself with the splitter? (important for those with physical limitations)
What is the maximum length and diameter of wood you can split with the splitter?
How many tons of splitting pressure does the splitter have if it’s a manual hydraulic splitter?
Safety Tips For Using A Manual Hand Log Splitter
Consider wearing eye protection when swinging a hammer into the wood or wedge
Keep hands and feet out of the way of the wedge and base plate when operating the hydraulic splitters
How To Use A Manual Hand Log Splitter
Manual Log Splitter
For the Kindling Cracker – Place the wood ontop of the wedge splitter and hit it with a blunt instrument like a hammer
For Wedges and Wood Grenades- Place the wedge into a crack in the wood, and hit it with a hammer
For Hammer Manual Log Splitters – Place wedge tip on log, slide the splitter handle up & down until the wood splits. Takes physical activity and energy!
Manual Hydraulic Log Splitter
Place the wood on the base plate, operate the lever or wedge mechanism, and the wedge will drive into the wood and split it
Best Manual Hand Log Splitter Resources
1. http://www.kindlingcracker.com/
2. https://www.snowjoe.com
3. http://www.qualitycraft.com/
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