This article will focus exclusively on Fiskars splitting axes and chopping hatchets, for a total of six different products in their product line. I’ll be outlining the following: splitting axes: X11, X17, X25 and X27. And chopping axes: X7, X15.
Fiskars is an Old Company
Fiskars is a Finnish company and they’ve been in business a very long time. How long? Well, how about for over 360 years! Founded in 1649, they’ve evolved as an organization but have clung tightly to their roots of working with tools while foraging and shaping steel for the creation of user-friendly products.
How did Fiskars get started?
Fiskars Ironworks was founded in 1649 by Peter Thorwöste, when Queen Christina of Sweden granted the Dutch businessman a privilege to manufacture cast iron and forged products, with the exception of cannon. In the same year he received permission to set up a blast furnace and bar hammer in Fiskars. A few years earlier Thorwöste had already acquired the ironworks in nearby Antskog. (read more)
Wikipedia’s take on Fiskars humble beginnings is as follows:
…when a Dutch merchant named Peter Thorwöste was given a charter to establish a blast furnace and forging operation in the small village of Fiskars. The furnace produced pig iron that was shingled to wrought iron in the finery forges powered by water wheels. In the early years, Fiskars made nails, wire, hoes, and metal reinforced wheels from wrought iron.
Today Fiskars is known and praised for their scissors (yes, scissors), axes (which is what this article is about), and timeless tools like their Staysharp Max Reel Mower. You may find this strange, as I did, but Fiskars is the number one scissor brand in the world and they take a lot of pride in it. They launched their first plastic handled scissors back in 1967 and since then they’ve sold over one billion scissors.
The color orange is a big part of Fiskars identity which originated when they used left over orange resin from an orange juicer to create the handles for their scissor prototype. As you’ll notice, orange is the dominant accent color for all of their products. Now you know how it began – like most things in life, it happened by chance. Serendipity.
How to Choose the Right Axe?
Splitting Axe vs Hatchet
All of the splitting axes and chopping axes in this article are a part of Fiskars X-Series, which is why they all start with an “X,” followed by a number. You’d think they’d be more creative with their naming conventions but you’d be wrong.
So, what’s the difference between a splitting axe and a chopping axe? I’m glad you asked.
The splitting axe
A splitting axe is used to cut logs situated in a vertical position with one downward stroke. The purpose of a splitting axe is to cut along the grain of wood, as opposed to a forest axe, which is built to make cuts across the grain of the wood. The Fiskars splitting axes are designed to minimize the amount of hits you need to make in order to split the wood. A good quality splitting axe is designed in such a way that the head does not easily get stuck in the wood, as you might encounter with a traditional chopping axe with a slimmer head.
Fiskars does an excellent job of using quality materials to forge tools that fit the job. In the case of their splitting axes, which are: X11, X17, X25 and X27 – created with optimal sharpness, excellent weight distribution, cutting-edge blade geometry, and they’re nearly impossible to break. Fiskars claims these axes are unbreakable. Maybe you should take them up on that challenge as they offer a lifetime warranty so if you break it for any reason, you’ll get a new axe.
The engineering of these Fiskars splitting axes enables the blade to cut deeper and disperse the wood with greater efficiency, and therefore increasing the chance of one-strike splitting every time you swing away. Nothing more annoying than having to swing countless times for one split. It’s tiring. Fiskars axes are very popular for good reason – because they make excellent products for consumers. It’s that simple.
Fiskars recommendations for their line of splitting axes are:
- Fiskars X11: Splitting Axe is the perfect one-handed tool for splitting small-to-medium-sized logs.
- Fiskars X17: Featuring a longer handle makes it ideal for splitting small-to-medium-sized logs with increased power and speed.
- Fiskars X25: Perfect for splitting medium-to-large sized logs.
- Fiskars X27: Ideal for tall individuals. Featuring a 36″ handle; making it easier to split extra-large logs with minimal effort.
Chopping Axe & Hatchet
A chopping axe is different from splitting axe in many ways. The blade of a chopping axe is slimmer than a splitting axe, and sharper, as it’s designed to cut cross-way through the fibers of the wood. Using a chopping axe properly consists of cutting a horizontal log with many fast, downward strokes.
A hatchet and chopping axe are both designed to be used in a similar fashion, but they’re are obvious differences. A hatchet is unique mainly due to its portable nature. It’s about 2/3 shorter than a full-size axe and it’s easy to use with one hand. It’s suitable for cutting small pieces of wood. A chopping axe is what most people think of when someone hears the word “axe.” You know, that wooden thing your dad used when you were a kid.
You can expect that every Fiskars axe has the same precision and exemplary design standards applied. In the case of their chopping tools, Fiskars claims that a cut bites “three times deeper when chopping. With more blade penetration on each swing.” Sounds impressive because it is. The X7 model is ideal for kindling and cutting small-to-medium logs, and the X15 is perfect for heavy-duty chopping tasks.
A chopping axe should not be used to split wood as it wasn’t designed for that purpose and will get stuck in the wood. Buy the appropriate axe for the job.
Common Fiskars Axe Features
Before we get into the details and specifics for each one of theses axes I’d like to point out their common features so I don’t have to bore you with repeating it with each different product. Here are the common features shared between all of Fiskars axes:
Common Features:
- Designed for optimal efficiency to increase your odds of one-strike splits.
- Perfected balance and power-to-weight ratio enhances swing speed to multiply power, similar to an aluminum baseball bat.
- Proprietary blade-grinding process creates a sharper edge for increased contact and cleaner cuts.
- Hardened forged steel blade remains sharp longer than a conventional axe.
- Non-stick blade coating slices through wood and prevents the axe head from getting stuck.
- Unbreakable PermaHead insert-molded head will not loosen and prevents overstrike breakage.
- Shock-absorbing FiberComp handle is lightweight and tougher than steel to prevent overstrike damage.
- Nonslip grip minimizes hand strain and increases user control.
- Designed in Billnäs, Finland, building on a 360-year history of the world’s best forged tools.
- Comes with a sheath to protect the blade and the user.
- Lifetime warranty.
Fiskars has some great articles on splitting and chopping wood. One of the things that I appreciate about Fiskars is that they provide ample information about their products in a clear and concise manner. I wish more companies were as committed to their products as Fiskars.
I highly recommend you browse their informational pages: Splitting and Chopping Wood. and also their general resource page: Tools and Techniques.
Fiskars Sharpener
If you want to keep your Fiskars splitting axe or cutting axe sharp then you’ll want one of these Fiskars blade sharpener which can be used to sharpen axes or knives:
Features:
- For sharpening axes and knives.
- Ceramic wheels will sharpen each side of the blade.
- Safety guard keep your hands and fingers safe when sharpening.
- Non-slip pads provide stability and prevent slippage.
- Sharpener opens up allowing you to clean it easily.
- Strong FiberComp construction and reinforced fiberglass composite.
- Lifetime warranty.
The Right Axe
As you’ll appreciate, most of these Fiskars splitting axes and chopping axes are similar in many ways so I’m going to refrain from repeating myself. It’s a waste of time to do so. The descriptions will be short as a result. At the end of the day you need to determine your needs and then choose the appropriate axe for the job. If you know what you’ll be cutting then the right Fiskars axe will be evident.
If you’re interested in learning more about how to split kindling then check out a short but concise article from Fiskars, entitled: The Art of Kindling.
High Customer Satisfaction
I should also mention that these Fiskars axes are rated exceptionally high. Amazon groups all of the customer reviews for the splitting axes together in each listing. I guess they don’t see a distinct difference among the product line, which is somewhat true.
The chopping axes are treated individually by Amazon and they are each (X7 and X15) rated at 4.7 (out of 5) with hundreds of reviews each. The average rating for these Fiskars axes is phenomenal. Honestly, I don’t ever recall coming across a product line that is so consistently praised by customers.
The bottom line is that Fiskars makes excellent products that work they way you would expect them to. If you don’t believe me just read the customer reviews, which I’ve included a link to with every product overview.
Fiskars X11 (17″) | Splitting Axe
Weighing at only 2.2 lbs this Fiskars X11 splitting axe is perfect as a secondary axe for fast jobs. The design and lightweight nature of the X11 lends itself to easily split small logs with one hand. And that’s all you really need to know, other than all the great Fiskars features that I outlined earlier in this article.
Features (X11 splitting axe):
- 2.2 lbs. 17-inch handle.
- Designed for convenient one-handed use when splitting small logs.
- Designed for maximum efficiency to give you more one-strike splits.
- Advanced bevel convex blade geometry adds power and makes the blade easier to remove from wood.
- Unique head shape disperses wood from the blade for clean splitting.
Fiskars X17 (23.5″) | Splitting Axe
Perfectly suited for splitting small-to-medium sized logs with lots of power and ample cutting speed. The X17 splitting axe is easy-to-handle, allowing for an increase in accuracy and more one-strike splits than traditional axes. Easy use for extended periods of time as it only weights 3.9 lbs. Quite portable as well, making it easy to transport.
Features (X17 splitting axe):
- 3.9 lbs. 23.5-inch handle.
- Best suited for splitting small-to-medium-sized logs.
- Advanced bevel convex blade geometry adds power while making the blade easier to remove from wood
- Unique head shape disperses wood from the blade for clean splitting.
Fiskars X25 (28″) | Splitting Axe
The Fiskars X25 splitting axe is a pretty big jump up from the x17, in terms of splitting ability and that’s reflected in the weight. At 5.3 lbs the X25 can easily split large logs in one strike. Built to maximize your splitting efficiency, this axe will make your life a lot easier and reduce the amount of energy you use to get the job done in a shorter amount of time and reduced hand strain.
The X25 is perfect for average sized people but if you’re tall then you’ll love the X27, which is next on the list.
Features (X25 splitting axe):
- 5.3 lbs. 28-inch handle.
- Ideal for splitting medium-to-large-sized logs.
- Designed for optimum efficiency for increased one-strike splits.
- Advanced bevel convex blade geometry adds power and makes the blade easier to remove from wood.
- Unique head shape disperses wood from the blade for clean splitting.
Fiskars X27 (36″) | Splitting Axe
The Fiskars X27 splitting axe was built for tall people who need to split medium-to-extra large logs. With a 36″ handle this axe is a beast, ready to easily split wood with maximum force while minimizing your energy output and reducing hand strain. That’s a good tradeoff. Still relatively lightweight at 6.3 lbs, this is Fiskars largest splitting axe.
If this won’t get the job done then maybe you need to consider a chainsaw.
Features:
- 6.3lbs. 36-inch handle.
- Larger, heavier axe head provides unmatched splitting power.
- Ideal for taller users splitting medium-to-large-sized logs.
- Advanced bevel convex blade geometry adds power and makes the blade easier to remove from wood.
- Unique head shape disperses wood from the blade for clean splitting.
Fiskars X7 (14″) | Chopping Axe
The X7 hatchet is best suited for splitting kindling and cutting small-to-medium-sized logs with ease. Ideal for people who like to hike and go camping as this is the most portable Fiskars chopping axe you can buy. And it comes with a protective sheath so you can throw it in your backpack when you’re on the trails.
If you’re an outdoor enthusiast then you might also be interested in Fiskars brush axe. It’s designed for clearing brush, cutting trails, stripping logs or felling small trees.
The X7 is designed to cut 3x deeper than other hatchets when chopping. You can thank Fiskars advanced blade geometry and engineering for that. It’s super lightweight at 1.4 lbs. Take it anywhere you go.
Features:
- 1.4 lbs. 14-inch handle.
- Ideal for splitting kindling and cutting small-to-medium-sized logs.
- Highly portable. Perfect for camping or hiking trips.
- Easy to cut wood with one hand strikes.
- Chops up to 3x deeper with every swing. Cut more wood in less time.
Fiskars X15 (23.5″) | Chopping Axe
Fiskars X15 chopping axe has the same blade geometry as the X7 hatchet but it has a much longer handle at 23.5-inches, to be precise. This is the ultimate chopping tool, allowing you the optimum amount of power with each swing. The X15 is ideal for heavy-duty chopping tasks – or you to make felling small trees fast and easy.
As with all the Fiskars axes, the X15 is designed to be ergonomic and reduce the strain on your body. The reason why Fiskars axes are so popular is because they are highly effective cutting and splitting tools — and they make your life easier at a relatively inexpensive price.
If you want to fell trees then the X15 chopping axe is what you need.
Features:
- 3.4 lbs. 23.5-inch handle.
- Ideal for felling trees.
- Chops up to 3x deeper with every swing. Cut more wood in less time.
These Fiskars axes are as good as it gets when it comes to splitting wood but if you burn through a lot of firewood in the winter then you might want to consider upgrading your log splitting ways. For low volume splitting an axe is an efficient way to go, but an electric log splitter will not only save you time, but it will also reduce the wear and tear on your body over time.
I know many people love to use a traditional axe but you really need to align your needs to the right tool. Personally, I prefer a time-saving solution. The choice is yours. I’m job is to present my you with the best options to help get your work done as efficiently and safely as possible. I spend a lot of time researching the latest tools so you don’t have to. That’s my job, I hope you found this article useful.
Conclusion | Splitting Axe
If you need to split or chop wood then Fiskars makes an axe for you. As you can see, they offer consumers a multitude of options to fit the task at hand. I love companies that provide options for the varying needs of consumers. After all, we all have different needs and we’re physiologically unique so having a range of axe sizes is an indication that Fiskars is looking out for their customers. One size does not fit all when it comes to axes.
Fiskars is one of those rare brands that consistently creates excellent products and the reason why I’m happy to recommend their full line of products, in this case, axes. Expect more articles on Fiskars products at Chainsaw Journal.