Fiskars experience

  • Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.

    We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.

    We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.
  • Like
Reactions: Paulywalnut
Just got one from amazon. Wow. Like all have said far easier on the joints and back. Seems to "pop" wood apart as opposed to splitting it with the 8lb. Anybody wrap/pad the top handle in case of an over swing?
 
Anybody wrap/pad the top handle in case of an over swing?
I overswang mine several times while I was getting used to the longer handle and it's still as solid as the day I got it. Of course I don't recommend doing that, because the vibrations can be pretty hard on the joints. :oops:
 
Fiskars has been very good about replacment even for minimal damage to the head.[/QUOTE]
Do I need.to sign up for warranty.
 
Do I need.to sign up for warranty.

No. I chipped the head on mine, was probably my fault and no defect in the tool. Contacted them by email and they asked for a picture. 3-4 days later a new showed up at the house. I own and have used a number of Fiskars tools beside the splitting ax. All things considered they are top notch IMO.
 
Last edited:
I've got the Fiskars splitting maul as well- think someone on this site wrote it is only available in Europe. There were two sizes/weights in the shop when I bought it- I went with the lighter one. Used it to split 8 cords of mostly oak in one metre long lengths over the last three weeks. It was easy but the pine and spruce mixed in took some work! I use the x27 as well. Nice having both. Lots of people here split with the round laying on the ground at an angle resting on a round and then swing back towards their legs. I use a pickeroon to pull it up and split as you would shorter lengths- if it falls the other way works too. Nice in that I never have to bend over- just pull it up with the pickeroon and then stack.
 
Mine has been bulletproof and have not heard of anyone having a handle break. No need to baby it and Fiskars has been very good about replacment even for minimal damage to the head.
My handle broke right where it wrapped around the head. It can happen unfortunely. But, Customer service was wonderful. All I had to do was send a picture and they sent out a new one right away. Even replaced that one a few years later, when I got a chip in the blade.
 
I find they work very well. The head profile and light weight, coupled with speed, is what makes them work so well. Of course if your Fiskars weighs 4 lb, and you only swing it as fast as you do with an 8 lb maul, it's not going to produce the magic.

Anyone know what energy I'm talking about? Is it kinetic? Kind of how bullets work in relation to speed.

An 8 lb maul going 10 feet per second has more energy than a 4 lb maul going 10 feet per second. But make the 4 lb maul go 15 feet per second, and even though the weight is half, it will have more energy than the 8 lb maul.
 
Have any of you ever tried a sharp 6 lb ax eye maul? Note the key words there..

The fiskars is a good tool, and I agree, far better than a dull 8 lb'er.

The 6 lb is by far my favorite though. Just as easy to swing as the Fiskars for me, it's equally as good on the small stuff, and better on the big rounds. I also prefer wooden handles. I only use the 8 lb for driving wedges now.
 
Have any of you ever tried a sharp 6 lb ax eye maul? Note the key words there..

The fiskars is a good tool, and I agree, far better than a dull 8 lb'er.

The 6 lb is by far my favorite though. Just as easy to swing as the Fiskars for me, it's equally as good on the small stuff, and better on the big rounds. I also prefer wooden handles. I only use the 8 lb for driving wedges now.

I don't care to fix another wood handle in my life, nothing annoyed me more then a loose head. Even have a little fiskars so the wife has to work too!
 
  • Like
Reactions: saskwoodburner
I got an x27 for Christmas...wish I would have bought one a LONG time ago. Sure makes splitting by hand fast and easy.
 
I don't care to fix another wood handle in my life, nothing annoyed me more then a loose head. Even have a little fiskars so the wife has to work too!

Fair... loose handles are definitely no fun at all, that's why I typically just buy heads off ebay, then hang them myself. Oldest one I've done is about 5 years old now, and still solid as a rock.

I've found that many ax/ maul heads are hung upside down. The eye should be tapered, with the larger side on TOP. Once the wedge is driven in, if the head was to slip it would only get tighter.. like a pickaxe.
 
I've got the Fiskars splitting maul as well- think someone on this site wrote it is only available in Europe. There were two sizes/weights in the shop when I bought it- I went with the lighter one. Used it to split 8 cords of mostly oak in one metre long lengths over the last three weeks. It was easy but the pine and spruce mixed in took some work! I use the x27 as well. Nice having both. Lots of people here split with the round laying on the ground at an angle resting on a round and then swing back towards their legs. I use a pickeroon to pull it up and split as you would shorter lengths- if it falls the other way works too. Nice in that I never have to bend over- just pull it up with the pickeroon and then stack.

What's better for tough, gnarly wood- the x27 or the fiskars maul? Their maul seems to not have much discussion on the internet and the x27 has this massive fanclub. (Old 8lb maul user here, thinking of trying either the fiskars maul or x27.)
 
What's better for tough, gnarly wood- the x27 or the fiskars maul? Their maul seems to not have much discussion on the internet and the x27 has this massive fanclub. (Old 8lb maul user here, thinking of trying either the fiskars maul or x27.)
I use the Fiskars for nearly everything. I have a maul and wedge that I use now and then if I need to pound through something. Seems to me if you already have a maul getting another one would be redundant even if it's a little better.

The splitting ax is cheap enough, get one. From what I've seen very few people give them bad marks.
 
Anyone know what energy I'm talking about? Is it kinetic? Kind of how bullets work in relation to speed.

Yes, it is kinetic energy. The formula is that kinetic energy equals one half of the mass times velocity squared. Doubling the speed quadruples the kinetic energy, whereas doubling the mass will just double the kinetic energy.
 
I think one of the greatest benefits to the X27 is the significant reduction in the amount of shock that is transmitted to the user when it whacks into a round. I guess that's because of the hollow handle design....but I'm pushing 60 and it sure helps
 
  • Like
Reactions: FaithfulWoodsman
Yes, it is kinetic energy. The formula is that kinetic energy equals one half of the mass times velocity squared. Doubling the speed quadruples the kinetic energy, whereas doubling the mass will just double the kinetic energy.
Gotta love physics. The formula requires about a 50% increase in velocity compared to the 8lb mall to see a significant increase in total energy, which for most should be easily obtained. Doubling the mass, we know our velocity would not remain a constant. Other variables aside, this thing has the advantage. I love it.
 
Gotta love physics. The formula requires about a 50% increase in velocity compared to the 8lb mall to see a significant increase in total energy, which for most should be easily obtained. Doubling the mass, we know our velocity would not remain a constant. Other variables aside, this thing has the advantage. I love it.
Don't matter, some still won't believe it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: FaithfulWoodsman
What is the preferred method to sharpen the Fiskars? Mine almost looks serated at this point. I have done all of my splitting in a tire on a huge round. No dirt/rocks. Unless they were stuck to the wood being split. Still works fine but I'd like to tune it up.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rangerbait
What is the preferred method to sharpen the Fiskars? Mine almost looks serated at this point. I have done all of my splitting in a tire on a huge round. No dirt/rocks. Unless they were stuck to the wood being split. Still works fine but I'd like to tune it up.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000950Q4/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I use one of these. Give it a few swipes while chopping. Works great. But, not sure how well it'll work on a blade that is really dinged up. These axes work best when real sharp.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: JSeery
What's better for tough, gnarly wood- the x27 or the fiskars maul? Their maul seems to not have much discussion on the internet and the x27 has this massive fanclub. (Old 8lb maul user here, thinking of trying either the fiskars maul or x27.)
I vote the x27. Its so sharp I have even cut through knots with it.
 
Just got my Fiskars X27 last night and had to split a couple before the sun went completely down. I have not split wood in over 20 years, which is significant since I am in my mid-30s, so I was worried about my swing and impressing my 11 year old son. First round exploded in half with a very satisfying pop. I have a feeling that all of the research before this purchase is going to pay off. The boy and I are going to spend a significant portion of the weekend splitting, and trying to not get hurt. If everything goes well I will report back next week, hopefully with some pictures. Thanks to everyone on this thread, and a few others, for the information for this new firewood obsessed guy.

Stay frosty.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Oldman47