Fiskars Axe

Buck · December 21, 2011, 09:58:52 AM

Fellas, I got myself one of those Fiskars X27 splitting axes this week. No doubt the best splitting axe I've ever seen. I have never seen a splitting axe so sharp. Don't let one glance off a block and hit your foot. (dont ask me how I know) I'm now shopping for new Redwings, socks and gauze.

Ohio_Bill · December 21, 2011, 11:04:03 AM

Absolutely the best ax I have ever owned. I have 2 the older one is same length, but lighter. I use it to bump wedges when falling. I have bought 2 for gifts for my son-in-law's and they love them also.

chevytaHOE5674 · December 21, 2011, 11:25:15 AM

Great axes with a great warranty. I've broken the handle on mine twice and both times I just sent a picture to fiskars warranty department and they sent out a new axe ASAP no questions asked.

Piston · December 21, 2011, 11:31:18 AM

Glad to hear that,
I asked Santa for one this Christmas. Although I asked for the x17 for splitting kindling, but the more I read about them the more I think I'll take it upon myself to order the larger one as well. ;)

Dean186 · December 21, 2011, 12:53:40 PM

After purchasing the heavier Fiskar 28 inch pro splitting axe a few years ago, I have since purchased the mid weight X25 28 inch splitting axe for the camper. I also purchased the small X11 17 inch axe for kindling, works great. The 3 Fiskar splitting axes are my favorite splitting mauls of the 6 mauls that I own. If you are about ready to buy your first splitting axe or just want a lighter weight splitting maul, then I also recommend the Fiskar splitting axe. Goodness, this reads like a commercial.

Edited to add: I don't own the X27, which is a 36 inch splitting axe that Buck was writing about. It must work even better on the big rounds. After some internet browsing, it looks like the 28 inch pro splitting axe may be replaced by the X27.

SwampDonkey · December 21, 2011, 04:21:47 PM

I don't know how many times a new axeman pulling chain on our cruise lines or boundary traverses would cut themselves with an axe. Don't even have to be sharp, but it does a better job. :

stumper · December 21, 2011, 06:27:00 PM

Well I guess I need to try one of these. I have been using the same 5 pound axe since college and just can not find another one like it or anything better. I guess I'll try one of these out and see.

T Welsh · December 21, 2011, 07:06:02 PM

I just purchased a X7 from Baileys last week for around the mill. I looks cool and has a small head. I have not played with it yet! other than sit down and hone it to a razor edge ;D. I like things (really sharp)! Tim

Buck · December 21, 2011, 07:28:09 PM

really sharp is key, got cut tendons and stitches to prove it. Didnt even realize I was cut till my boot got squishy. Got an X7 too but I think I'm gonna wait till this wound heals. :

Dean186 · December 21, 2011, 08:28:15 PM

Quote from: chevytaHOE5674 on December 21, 2011, 11:25:15 AM
Great axes with a great warranty. I've broken the handle on mine twice and both times I just sent a picture to fiskars warranty department and they sent out a new axe ASAP no questions asked.

Fiskar's video states that the axe handles are virtually impossible to break. How did you manage to break the handle - twice?

chevytaHOE5674 · December 21, 2011, 09:17:42 PM

Just from use and abuse. One was from pounding wedges into a stubborn tree that didn't want to fall against its lean without a lot of persuasion, and just before the tree went over the axe head flew off. The second one I'm not sure, just noticed a crack in it one day while splitting some wood.

timusp40 · December 22, 2011, 07:02:57 PM

Got the X27 and really like it. It is very sharp and needs to be kept that way for best performance. The only thing I hit with it is wood! I think that's what they made it for. Even tells you not to use it for wedges, etc right on the handle. Been splitting 12"-14" maple rounds with it. Make the job a little easier for a 66 year old!

chevytaHOE5674 · December 22, 2011, 08:00:37 PM

None of the 3 fiskars axe's I have have any sort of warning saying not to drive wedges, and their warranty department never said anything about it when I told them how they were used.

SwampDonkey · December 22, 2011, 11:31:01 PM

It doesn't look to me it would be designed to take it as a wedge axe. Just looking at your picture. This may be a new disclaimer in their more recent axes.

chevytaHOE5674 · December 23, 2011, 06:44:16 AM

My most recent warranty axe was about 1.5-2 weeks ago and there is no disclaimer on it. I don't think the failure was from driving wedges, as the second one broke in the same fashion as the first (crack below the head at the base of the handle) and it was never used to drive wedges, only split wood.

Reason the head flew off the first is I noticed the crack but was about 1/2 mile out in the bush dumping some of the last trees in a block for the skidder so I kept pounding with the cracked axe until the head came off.

SwampDonkey · December 23, 2011, 06:57:27 AM

It could be that it was old stock to, new to you, may be old to them. ;) Myself, I would have a Gransfors "Forest" axe or a Iltis "Felling" axe. They all use hickory handles. ;)

chevytaHOE5674 · December 23, 2011, 07:41:07 AM

Pretty sure it is new stock. Looks identical to the ones at the local saw shop and the ones there had no warning on them either, and he just got them in within the last 2-3 weeks. As long as they have no problem warrantying them I will keep using them. With enough use any axe can and will break, so may as well use one that has a warranty.

stumper · December 23, 2011, 07:59:08 AM

For driving wedges felling, I love the 5 pound felling axe Bailey's sells. It has a nice short handle to make carrying easy, but has the weight to drive wedges home.

SwampDonkey · December 23, 2011, 10:34:23 AM

Just like opinions on chainsaws. ;D Everyone has their own beliefs and preferences. ;)

rottiman · December 24, 2011, 03:48:57 PM

Have a X27. I am 6'2 and 310lbs., so the 36" handle is a must for me. Other than elm, I have been able to bust everything I have tried so far up to 42" diameter. Also have a X 11 that I carry on my ATV. Fantastic "One-Hander" outstanding kindling maker. No quality problems to date and I probably busted 6 or 7 cords with it so far.

lumberjack48 · December 25, 2011, 08:56:43 PM

My splitting Axe was a double blade with a 40" handle, when i swung both my feet came off the ground, people thought it was hilarious.
It took my father many yrs of showing me on how to use a Axe, just when the blade hits you twist the handle. If you swing straight, your Axe is stuck all the time.

I had many, many contest with wood splitters, i can't even call it a contest, the biggest job was standing the blocks up. I had my 2 boys help, one standing blocks the other one piled it. Any School mom blocks were layed aside, when we got done with the easy stuff I'd grab the saw, lay the block on it side, shoe strings out of the saw, saws fast.

No heavy lifting involved, we made fun out of it.

My son saws up 50 to 70 cords a yr, he says a wood splitter would just be another job.

stumper · December 26, 2011, 08:50:23 AM

Back when I competed in college an important technique was to learn to split a block laying flat on the ground. Stand them up to start but if one fell or you needed to quater a half.

You are very correct that an axe can beat splitter but it is more work.