Fiskars experience

[JSeery]

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.

If you are really worried about hitting yourself, you might want to use an old tire. Just put the tire on the chopping block and put the rounds inside the tire. Any underswing or swing through should be stopped by the tire. This has the added benefit of helping to hold up the rounds you are focusing on, allowing you to resplit the halves without bending over to pick them up off the ground. I just set my tire on top of the block so I can remove it easily, but I've seen others bolt the tire onto the block so it won't move. Of course, this assumes your block is as wide or wider than the tire.

 

[drz1050]

For the boy: think about getting a Council Tool boy's axe. Shorter handle, lighter weight.. and even if he doesn't like it, they're still very useful for limbing or any light duty work. I use mine more often than my full size axe.

It's not a great splitter, but will split the small stuff no problem.

 

[Pennsyltucky Chris]

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.

You can add me to club. I also broke a Fiskars. I think that's a testament to our incredible strength and manhood. And possibly poor aim.

 

[sepulvd]

I always use my fiskars but i might need to go buy a maul and wedge because the x27 is just bouncing of the rounds

 

[HighCountry]

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.

Had a great day on Saturday splitting with the X27. Took it pretty slow, as I haven't split wood by hand for quite a while, but got enough split to be satisfied. Looking forward to many more days of hand splitting.

 

[HighCountry]

Had a great day on Saturday splitting with the X27. Took it pretty slow, as I haven't split wood by hand for quite a while, but got enough split to be satisfied. Looking forward to many more days of hand splitting.

Had an issue uploading photos, but I think it works now.

 

[Fly]

Here It's the Fiskars splitting maul I mentioned- did make a difference with the big oak rounds from a tree that was lying on the ground for a year when compared to the x27/25. They bounced off but the maul did the job and then I went back to the lighter ones when possible.

 

[sepulvd]

Gonna check out the maul

 

[Jeffm1]

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.

Well, I will be the first then. I actually broke my handle. The Fiskars people really do stand behind their product. After breaking the handle, I went to their website and filled out the warranty form and attached a photo. They didn't give me one bit of grief or trying to weasel out of anything. They just sent me an email back saying I would get a new axe in the mail in 12 to 15 business days and they did. They sent me a brand new one and I'm good as gold now. I will be buying Fiskars products in the future if I need anything for cutting or sawing. You can buy one of their products once and that will be the last time you have to spend money on it they stand behind their product that much. Fiskars is far superior to the crap made in China that breaks in 6 months and then you have to buy another one.

 

[Jeffm1]

I vote the x27. Its so sharp I have even cut through knots with it.

Knots? What knots? Clean through 'em!

 

[rowerwet]

I bought the X27 as soon as I got into heating with wood 5 years ago. My dad dug out his old maul, and I tried it once.
I remember helping him split the firewood when I was a kid, and now can't believe I could even swing that thing. Those big heavy old mauls are a major pain!
the X27 is great and has been for years now, I just bought the fiskars maul, but find it isn't really an improvement over the X27, except for a few cases.
I also bought a XA22 pickaroon by Fiskars, if you love the X27, (or don't ) you have to buy a XA22. One session of picking and stacking splits and I will never work on wood again without it!
it even is a back and time saver for moving big rounds to split.

 

[KindredSpiritzz]

Hmmm i had one a few days and wasnt impressed, ended up returning it.

 

[kennyp2339]

I bought an x27 a few weeks ago with HD gift cards, I split a number of logs and I personally don't see the difference between a regular axe and this one, the only thing I think is different is the axe is lite weight so you wont fatigue as fast.

 

[Jeffm1]

I bought an x27 a few weeks ago with HD gift cards, I split a number of logs and I personally don't see the difference between a regular axe and this one, the only thing I think is different is the axe is lite weight so you wont fatigue as fast.

Try 4 cords.

 

[kennyp2339]

Try 4 cords.

my hat is off to you

 

[ValleyCottageSplitter]

I also joined the x27 club two weeks ago. It is way better than my old 5lb maul. The length, wedge shape and teflon coating seem to be the winning factors. I dont think the light handle affects the splitting much since the rotational inertia is about the same but it reduces the overall weight for handling.

The problem with it is that the edge is so fragile. I've swung at a round on the ground and it dug in the dirt and mashed 3-4 marks into the edge. I told myself I would only use a chopping block, then accidentally did it once more yesterday and left it with three more marks in the blade.

 

[Tar12]

While the X27 has its place it is no substitute for the Fiskars maul.The X27 shines in smallish straight grained stuff for speed and efficiency....BUT it will not out pace the Fiskars maul in productivity in larger pieces...thats a fact...I have 40 cord of White Oak,Red Oak,Burr Oak,Cherry,Ash,Locust that I used them both on.... I use the 2 in tandem...maul for splitting and quartering the big stuff and the X27 to wrap things up.I did not split every bit of the 40 cord with them but used them enough to get to know them real well...I found that the X27 did a lot of bouncing and hand stinging on larger rounds...where as that was not the case with the Fiskars maul...I like and use the maul so much I bought another one.

 

[jatoxico]

I don't split a lot of smallish, straight grained wood. The X25 is my go to, far better than my maul.

 

[Jeffm1]

While the X27 has its place it is no substitute for the Fiskars maul.The X27 shines in smallish straight grained stuff for speed and efficiency....BUT it will not out pace the Fiskars maul in productivity in larger pieces...thats a fact...I have 40 cord of White Oak,Red Oak,Burr Oak,Cherry,Ash,Locust that I used them both on.... I use the 2 in tandem...maul for splitting and quartering the big stuff and the X27 to wrap things up.I did not split every bit of the 40 cord with them but used them enough to get to know them real well...I found that the X27 did a lot of bouncing and hand stinging on larger rounds...where as that was not the case with the Fiskars maul...I like and use the maul so much I bought another one.
View attachment 197497

It's good to have many arrows in your quiver. A variety of tools for different situations, which certainly is the case with wood.

 

[Rangerbait]

A slight variation on the tire method that really works well with an x27

 

[Woody5506]

Well I'm gonna be the odd man out here and say that for me personally I'd way rather use my Stihl pro maul than my x27. No contest whatsoever. The x27 swings easy but I honestly feel more comfortable and productive with the heavier Stihl maul.

I've heard a lot of talk of people refusing to ever spend over $100 on a maul, so if most of them are using cheap ones then I'd understand the Fiskars out doing those same mauls, within the same price range.

I never hurt my back swinging a maul or axe until I started extensively using the x27. For that reason I now only use it sparingly, and stick with the Stihl for 95% of splitting.

 

[JSeery]

While the X27 has its place it is no substitute for the Fiskars maul.The X27 shines in smallish straight grained stuff for speed and efficiency....BUT it will not out pace the Fiskars maul in productivity in larger pieces...thats a fact...I have 40 cord of White Oak,Red Oak,Burr Oak,Cherry,Ash,Locust that I used them both on.... I use the 2 in tandem...maul for splitting and quartering the big stuff and the X27 to wrap things up.I did not split every bit of the 40 cord with them but used them enough to get to know them real well...I found that the X27 did a lot of bouncing and hand stinging on larger rounds...where as that was not the case with the Fiskars maul...I like and use the maul so much I bought another one.
View attachment 197497

I agree. Fiskars maul for the big stuff, and then switch to the X27 for cleaning it up. Great combination. If you have really knotty wood, the x27 might just bounce but the maul will power through. I love the cushioning in the maul and also use it to drive my wedges.

 

[HisTreeNut]

I have a Fiskars and it is my weapon of choice...not a lot is doesn't go through, although it takes a few whacks on larger rounds.
The front row of my stack is all Fiskars...she's a beast to say the least.