I'm a fan of the Fiskars, and have been using them for four years now. But I've had some close calls, especially at the beginning, and since it seems like more and more newcomers are gravitating toward them, thought it would be useful to talk about how to use them safely, rather than debate their strengths and weaknesses.
I own several other type of mauls, but have to admit the fiskars (both the x27 and the original shorter one), make me a little more cautious when I swing them. The X27 is longer than my other mauls, the short fiskars is shorter than my other mauls, and so it requires a conscious adjustment in distance to use them safely, every time I swing. This is a real issue because, IMO, the fiskars brands are more likely to deflect, either glance off a less-than-perfect round, or split off a corner of the round and come flying toward my ankle. This doesn't happen with my other (heavier) mauls.
So with the fiskars, IMO its vital to keep your feet far apart, as far as you can safely swing without losing balance. Also, very important to swing the splitter in exactly the midline of your body, directly from overhead. Not doing these two things puts your ankles and shins at risk.
I also learned not to split with the fiskars while the round is more than a few inches off the ground. I never split rounds up on another round or tall chopping block, using the fiskars at least, though I do use a short block that's only a few inches tall, to strengthen the blow, or I just split with the round on the ground.
I only split wearing steel-toes, and chainsaw chaps with kevlar, to protect my shins and ankles. I always wear eye protection.
I'm a fiskars fan, but have to admit they are riskier to use, both the long and the short.
Am curious what others have to add, or whether they agree/disagree.
I own several other type of mauls, but have to admit the fiskars (both the x27 and the original shorter one), make me a little more cautious when I swing them. The X27 is longer than my other mauls, the short fiskars is shorter than my other mauls, and so it requires a conscious adjustment in distance to use them safely, every time I swing. This is a real issue because, IMO, the fiskars brands are more likely to deflect, either glance off a less-than-perfect round, or split off a corner of the round and come flying toward my ankle. This doesn't happen with my other (heavier) mauls.
So with the fiskars, IMO its vital to keep your feet far apart, as far as you can safely swing without losing balance. Also, very important to swing the splitter in exactly the midline of your body, directly from overhead. Not doing these two things puts your ankles and shins at risk.
I also learned not to split with the fiskars while the round is more than a few inches off the ground. I never split rounds up on another round or tall chopping block, using the fiskars at least, though I do use a short block that's only a few inches tall, to strengthen the blow, or I just split with the round on the ground.
I only split wearing steel-toes, and chainsaw chaps with kevlar, to protect my shins and ankles. I always wear eye protection.
I'm a fiskars fan, but have to admit they are riskier to use, both the long and the short.
Am curious what others have to add, or whether they agree/disagree.
