Product review (wood splitting axe)

[quadrafire]

Just picked up a new splitting axe (not really a maul).
http://www.fiskars.eu/Gardening-Yard-Care/Products/Wood-Branches/Axes/122500-Fiskars-Splitting-Axe-X27

Fiskars X27. This is the longer handle model 36" approx 6 lbs, light wt head swings fast, but with an exclamation point on contact. I was worried with the extremely sharp leading edge it would bind in the wood like an axe, but it does not. I am only 5'10 but the longer handle works well for me. I think it is intended for taller folks??
I have been splitting green/wet ponderosa pine and have not needed or used a wedge yet. Have done about 4 truck loads this week. Should have waited till it dried next yr, but needed the exercise.......
If you are in need of an new stick splitter you might put this at the top of the list for consideration.

[fillthefreezer]

i will vouch for this axe and my 2cords split this AM. it is amazing! it doesnt get stuck. stuff pops! its not heavy. but careful, its SHARP.

ive split around 10 cords with it so far and i would buy it again and again

i prefer to use it on top of a block

[CAMPMEAT]

C'mon, tell the truth, your wife split that wood.......

[actionshooter]

I've been swinging one of those today myself, they are great.....

[quadrafire]

C'mon, tell the truth, your wife split that wood.......

I had her try a round today........just saying, I'll leave it at that

[quadrafire]

i prefer to use it on top of a block

I agree..........That is my block

[quadrafire]

but careful, its SHARP.

I haven't tried but bet you could shave your arm hair with it

[gasman]

I love those, my son got me the combo kit for Christmas (ax and hatchet) years ago and love them both, work great and make splitting wood easier.

[washelkhunter]

Is gerber owned by fiskars do you think? They market axes and mauls that look exactly like those.

[quadrafire]

Is gerber owned by fiskars do you think? They market axes and mauls that look exactly like those.

Haven't looked

[Ogre]

Is gerber owned by fiskars do you think? They market axes and mauls that look exactly like those.

Haven't looked

According to the always trustworthy Wikipedia, Gerber is currently a subdivision of Fiskars since 1987.

[RadSav]

Is gerber owned by fiskars do you think? They market axes and mauls that look exactly like those.

Sad but true!  I miss the old company.  Gerber family members would come down to the boat with new prototypes and ask us to use them.  That first cast aluminum handled fillet knife had a crowd of deckhands and commercial fisherman all wanting to hold it and check it out.  They always had something new and cool to play with!

I was a huge fan of Precise blades, but we became a Gerber boat.  And a Gerber dealer in later years. Purely because we liked the Gerber family so much.  They maintained the "Handshake is good enough" and "We always have time for our customers" way of doing business from the first day I did business with them until the last day.  Long after other companies abandon that personal face to face relationship.  Their product was good, but their people were even better.

Fiskar is doing a reasonably good job with the brand.  But without that personal relationship it's just not the same

[andersonjk4]

Quad, where did you pick this axe up at?  Did you get it locally?  I would love to give one a try.  I have about 3 cords to split up and this sounds like a big improvement over my old standard maul and wedge. 

[quadrafire]

I ordered it from Home Depot online (Free Shipping). They didn't have one in stock at the valley store a couple weeks ago, but may now??

[quadrafire]

Quad, where did you pick this axe up at?  Did you get it locally?  I would love to give one a try.  I have about 3 cords to split up and this sounds like a big improvement over my old standard maul and wedge.

Anderson, If you want to try this one out before you buy one let me know

[300rum]

Thanks for the review.  I have looked at them but wasn't sure.  I can't remember, is the "wedge" on one side or both?  Does it feel lopsided when you swing?  Does an errant glancing blow go for your shin more so then a regular mall/axe?

[quadrafire]

Wedge is uniform on both sides, but subtle. I can't believe how it does not bury in the wood, but doesn't jump out like a fat dull heavy splitting maul. I does not feel lopsided at all. Hits right where you aim (just never in the same place twice. LOL)
It is as sharp as an axe. It can glance off the lateral edge if you split it too lean and with the head speed it could get away from you. This 36 in handle and me being 5'10 I have not had a close encounter with my shin.
Have about taken out my front quarter panel on the truck by a flying piece though

I haven't even tried it on seasoned wood yet. I have only been splitting wet/heavy ponderosa, like a dummy

[kisfish]

I don't have the axe but I have the hatchet. I love it. It's the bests hatchet I have ever owned. The wife and I have a camp ground and lots of people ask to use a axe or hatchet. They get abused on a regular basis. That's the only one that is off limits to everyone else. It doesn't get stuck in wood at all. We see two or three people a year that have fiskars and when I ask them how they like it it's always the same answer " they love it" or "it's the best I have ever owned". They are very sharp.

[quadrafire]

I'd be a little nervous loaning that out to some general campers. Might be a trip to the ER pending

[HntnFsh]

Ive tried those axes. Dont care for them. Too much flex in the handle. Head was ok. I will take an old style wood handled Collins axe over one of those any day. And yes I have split hundreds of cords of firewood.

[HardCorpsHuntr]

Thanks for the review.

Love my x27.  Great weight ratio and good feel on the hands.  I've had mine for three years and split around 6/7 cord a year.

I'll be getting this next though...

http://www.gransforsbruk.com/en/products/gransfors-splitting-axes/gransfors-splitting-maul/

[quadrafire]

That is a cool one HardCorp

[BigGoonTuna]

i picked one of the shorter handled models(the X25 i believe) before they started making the one with the 36" handle.  i have a hard time using anything else when splitting wood.  if that ax won't handle the job, you need a wedge and sledgehammer or a hydraulic splitter.

i was so impressed by these axes that i convinced the saw shop i used to work at to start carrying them, they became a huge seller.

i did pick up a 36" model for my dad's birthday a few years back, and truth be told i actually like the shorter handle of the one i have better.  i can swing it faster than the longer handled version, and don't strike the handle as much either.

[Bean Counter]

*tag* 

[MountainWalk]

I dont like them. Prefer the old collins as mentionef above.  My BBIL loves, well, loved his.  I accidently broke it with the excavotor. Was leant up against my wood pile.