The Kite Splitting Axe is a small, dedicated splitting axe crafted by the Somerset-based blacksmith collective, Thorn Wood Forge.

This superior, lifelong axe excels in every aspect of its design and execution, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a higher finish than Gransfors or Hultafors splitting axes. The Kite comes beautifully presented in a presentation box with a corresponding guarantee booklet matching the head's stamp.

The axes are made from EN9 steel, which contains 0.5-0.6% carbon. This composition makes the steel hard enough to hold a great cutting edge and tough enough to withstand hard use. High-quality steel stock is used to ensure consistent results, and it is sourced from Sheffield, England.

The Kite is similar in weight to the Gransfors Bruk Splitting Hatchet, although the vastly different head design and longer handle means that this axe is more comparable to a large splitting axe in capability.

The heads are forged from a single solid block of EN9. The collar material is isolated and forged 60% of the way before the pre-form is then punched and the collar is forged to full length. The blade is then forged to have a distinctive concave profile. The collar and poll are heat treated with the rest of the head, making them more durable than anything else available. The convex into concave bit profile makes them highly effective at splitting. Each axe is individually number stamped.

The leather used is sourced from J & FJ Baker, the last Oak Bark Tannery in the UK. Oak Bark tanned leather is much tougher than vegetable-tanned leather and is made using local hides and local bark for tanning. The leather is finished with beeswax and is bevelled, burnished, and stitched entirely by hand using traditional saddle stitch techniques.

The handles are made from European Ash, a traditional wood for handles in Europe and the UK. This wood is known for its springiness, toughness, and durability, and it also features an attractive grain aesthetic. Handles are copy lathed by the English firm Richard Carter Ltd. They are then hand finished and sanded to 400 grit, laser etched with the logo, and soaked in boiled linseed oil. The kerf is cut, and handles are shaped and fitted to the heads. Handmade wedges are fitted to the axes, and each end is finish sanded and oiled.

Product Details:

• Steel: Sheffield sourced EN9, 0.5-0.6% carbon
• Approx weight: 1400g (without sheath)
• Cutting edge: 100mm
• Handle length: 650mm
• Grind: high convex grind (around 30º)

Please note sizes are within a hand crafted tolerance so may vary +/-3mm

About Thorn Wood Forge:

About Thorn Wood Forge:

Thorn Wood Forge is nestled in the heart of Hinton St George, surrounded by rich English woodland. The forge aspires to produce the highest quality tools for use in the home and for adventures in the great outdoors.

Joe Garnett, the founder and head blacksmith of Thorn Wood Forge, has a lifelong passion for making things. He began leather working at the age of 15, driven by a relentless pursuit of perfection, creating the best possible items from the finest materials he could access. His love for crafting and the outdoors led him to bushcraft, where he developed a deep fascination with our relationship with nature and the skills (and tools!) required for outdoor living.

This journey into bushcraft introduced Joe to blacksmithing. In his parent’s garage, using a simple gas forge, he crafted his first knife, marking the beginning of a new passion for making cutting tools. Over the past decade, Joe has honed his skills working for other smiths as a general blacksmith, applying his expertise to his true calling: tool making.

Joe's mission is straightforward: "Create the best products possible by combining traditional techniques with contemporary materials, crafting companions that can be passed down from one generation to another."

The team at Thorn Wood Forge is passionate and ambitious, driven solely by the goal of making the world's best possible tools using the best possible materials. We’ve worked with them over the past six months to refine their axes, and we are 100% confident these will be axes you love to use for many lifetimes. We are absolutely delighted to be the first UK retailer of their fantastic tools.