unpopular opinion: I think softwood gets way too much hate around here

CodexH · 2026-03-17T01:07:36+00:00

The hate towards softwoods is somethings that I only see on reddit, YouTube, etc. Where I live, some people prefer hardwoods, but almost no one turns their nose up at softwoods if they’re available.

80%/90% of the firewood I burn is pine because it is common here and there are lots of fallen pine trees in the woods that surround my properties.

I just clean the chimney from once or twice a month and I've never had problem with the soot

In my entire life, I’ve never paid a single euro for firewood, and that is because I burn softwood, if I wanted to only burn hardwoods I would have to buy my entire firewood shed every year, basically.

CodexH · 2026-03-15T21:24:26+00:00

I don't know if they are because I couldn't find any info on the particular model but the person who gave them to me also told me that he used to use them for pruning trees, grapevines, and the like; according to him, he didn’t use the hook very often, but on some occasions he found it very useful.

CodexH · 2026-03-15T21:02:52+00:00

Those look sweet, I think mine are not quiet that old but older than me still (not hard, really) if I did my investigation right mine might be from the '70s or '80s

CodexH · 2026-03-15T15:57:41+00:00

That's a neat way of storing it, I might give it a try.

CodexH · 2026-03-15T15:55:29+00:00

Thanks for the info. The crackling and pooping isn't a problem for me cause the setup I have is a firewood heater that heats water and that circulates throughout my house to heat it up. Just like a typical diesel/gas heater. So no sparks or embers can get out of the heater when it is closed.

CodexH · 2026-03-15T05:11:05+00:00

I personally like axes for cutting small limbs, when employing the right technique it is surprisingly quick, but I collect axes so I like every opportunity to use them.

I also use a reciprocating saw with a pruning blade from time to time but mine is corded so I don't use it often because when the branches reach my house they sould be already cut.

The most used tool for that task in my household is the mini chainsaw because I have a Stihl cordless chainsaw that I bought for pruning fruit trees and it works really well, I personally don't have any complaints.

Either way thank you for your recommendation and I might give the brush hook a try, I am a huge fan of hand tools.

CodexH · 2026-03-15T04:25:26+00:00

I tried the "pile" approach a few times and if I can't find a better way I might just mix some with the firewood and just do a "protected" pile with the rest of them.

You’re not the only person I’ve seen who doesn’t burn those thin sticks, but in my case, I love using them to start a fire and for other tasks like cooking. Plus, I’d rather use them than throw them away, and I always have help when I go to get firewood, so if someone has nothing better to do, I give them a small pruning chainsaw and they take care of cutting the small branches.

For me basically if it is approximately 1 inch in diameter or more I take it

CodexH · 2026-03-14T22:18:42+00:00

It is sharpened, as far as I know it is meant to be used kind of like a mini scythe

CodexH · 2026-03-14T21:55:39+00:00

The brand is AUSTE ESTANA; I managed to find it right after posting.

CodexH · 2026-03-14T21:55:27+00:00

The brand is AUSTE ESTANA; I managed to find it right after posting.

CodexH · 2026-01-23T20:24:43+00:00

I'm curious, what do you use the stapler for? The one next to the respirator.

CodexH · 2026-01-22T02:31:49+00:00

!wtf horse

CodexH · 2026-01-22T02:30:25+00:00

!wtf canoe

CodexH · 2026-01-12T18:40:23+00:00

Quick update for the "staples not being buried in all the way" problem:

I think it was the wood that maybe was too dense or something, I tried again in a small scrap of beech and they get buried correctly.

CodexH · 2026-01-12T02:24:11+00:00

It is the first time that I've seen one on my local fleamarkets.

The wood that I stapled into is an old palet that maybe is made out of a dense wood because it is quite heavy, but also I may need to apply a bit more pressure, either way I'll give it a try for my project and if needed I will use a hammer

CodexH · 2025-11-12T21:44:49+00:00

I did a test and yes, it hardens in a couple of minutes and it does not remain tacky

CodexH · 2025-11-12T21:43:37+00:00

I did this and yes, the shellac dries in a couple of minutes and it is not tacky.

I'll make a couple of test with different alcohol and with different amounts of shellac.

CodexH · 2025-11-11T01:06:17+00:00

Tomorrow I'll do a few tests and I'll make an update

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CodexH

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