Fiskars Splitting Axe,Best length for my height

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HDRock

Minister of Fire
Oct 25, 2012
2,239
Grand Blanc, Mi
I here these are great, : are they ?, so, for my height 5'3" whats best,23.5, 28, 36

Edit, By the way, 36 at Sears Now $40.84 Amazon $39.97
 
get the longest one it will give you more leverage to bust up them rounds. I have the fiskars x27 I believe its the 36 inch long one and I like it alot more then my 8lb maul because its so much lighter and takes less energy to swing it. So I can split for longer periods of time.
 
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I'm 5'7" & have preferred axes/mauls/sledges with 36" handles for decades.Though my old rarely used now Monster Maul is around 31" total length if I remember....

Bought the X25 in May 2011,its only 28 1/2" total.Its used on 90% of what I split now.Its great of course,but sometimes I wished I waited to order the X27 instead of buying this one.Will get one eventually though.Always use it on a splitting stump anyway,the edge never hits the dirt.
 
I'm 6 foot even and the X27 works quite well for me.
 
We're about the same height. After going to Sears and playing around with an X25, I quickly decided to go with the X27. I'd have a hard time hitting myself with the X27 (of course, I wouldn't rule it out completely in a moment of complete stupidity). Overall, I like the X27, but the non-stick coating spoiled me and then it wore off :(. Still my go-to splitting tool for most jobs.
 
I'm 6'2" and have a X27. Absolutely love it. Also got the little brother X 11.
 
I here these are great, : are they ?, so, for my height 5'3" whats best,23.5, 28, 36

Edit, By the way, 36 at Sears Now $40.84 Amazon $39.97


Forget how tall you are (how this gorilla geometry ever gained traction I'll never know) - get the shortest one and use a chopping block. The shorter handle will allow you to swing harder and more accurately and the block will save your ax from the inevitable rocking it will get from ground splitting.
 
Im 5 8 and I have the 27 and works great. I love that thing.
 
Gee, If you are 5'3 i would suggest the x7 which is 14". That should be perfect.

Just kidding, I am short too (5'4) and am wondering which one I should go with, either the x25 or x27? What are the possible advantages/disadvantages of both?

Thanks.
 
Well I am going with the x25 cuz, I tend to choke up on the long handles on my axe and maul, cuz if I don't, I miss my mark a lot, when I choke up I have more control at hitting where I am aiming.I think more control translates into, safety.
I think that's why I broke the wood handle on my other maul, using the full length of the handle
 
I'm 5'9 and have an X25 which works great for me. I always use a big round as a splitting block and never seem to have any problems. I might have gone for the X27 if I had a chance to put one in my hands but I'm satisfied with the shorter X25.
 
I'm 5'9" and enjoy using the X25.
 
You guys have me thinking that the x27 is too big for shorter people? Wonder if its too late to change my Amazon order?

I'm 5'3" and use the x27 with no problem--it's not like there is a huge difference between the x25 and 27. I wouldn't worry about it. Personally, I was more comfortable with the x27. I just noticed yesterday when I was killing some time in Sears (I didn't feel like shoe shopping with the wife) that they had both 27 and 25 in stock--you might see if your local Sears has one that you could play with.
 
My local Sears only had one in stock period, and I broke the handle on my maul , so I just bought the X25.
The X25 does much a better job than the axe I was using
 
You guys have me thinking that the x27 is too big for shorter people? Wonder if its too late to change my Amazon order?

I am 5'8" and use the X27 without problem. It's longer handle gives you more force but it is still lighter than any maul.
 
Forget how tall you are (how this gorilla geometry ever gained traction I'll never know) - get the shortest one and use a chopping block. The shorter handle will allow you to swing harder and more accurately and the block will save your ax from the inevitable rocking it will get from ground splitting.

No. Simple physics prove that the longer handle impacts harder.
 
No. Simple physics prove that the longer handle impacts harder.

If your "simple" physics is so axiomatic why not use a 48" handle? Or 60"? Hmmm? Could it be that no one can swing a 4'-5' axe for sh_t?

Now think of your hand as the head of an axe - you could swing it as hard as you want with near perfect accuracy. But as you pointed out "simple" physics dictates one won't generate much power with a 0' axe.

Soooo. . . at some point between 0' and 5' there exists a handle length that best combines power generation and accuracy/control, and I think 26"-28" is much closer to optimum than 30"-36". I further postulate that an individual's height has nothing to do with optimum axe handle length.

The physics might be "simple" but the reality is a little more complicated.
 
If your "simple" physics is so axiomatic why not use a 48" handle? Or 60"? Hmmm? Could it be that no one can swing a 4'-5' axe for sh_t?

Now think of your hand as the head of an axe - you could swing it as hard as you want with near perfect accuracy. But as you pointed out "simple" physics dictates one won't generate much power with a 0' axe.

Soooo. . . at some point between 0' and 5' there exists a handle length that best combines power generation and accuracy/control, and I think 26"-28" is much closer to optimum than 30"-36". I further postulate that an individual's height has nothing to do with optimum axe handle length.

The physics might be "simple" but the reality is a little more complicated.

I understand you believe your misconception, or you wouldn't have stated it in the first place. You are still incorrect though.

Let me put it this way, if you were correct, 8 pound mauls would have 25" handles, instead of 36".
 
I understand you believe your misconception, or you wouldn't have stated it in the first place. You are still incorrect though.

Let me put it this way, if you were correct, 8 pound mauls would have 25" handles, instead of 36".

If you are correct, why not a 40" handle? 42"? 44"?
 
The law of diminishing returns.

Bingo. So we differ on where the returns diminish.

Tell you what - get yourself an X17 (formerly known as the Pro Splitting Ax). If it does not split as well or better than your 36" 8lb maul I will gladly send you a MO for the purchase price.
 
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