They have done a great job designing and refining these tools , I use the sharpener depending on how much I have used the tool, but the sharpness is one of attributes of these tools, neither the X25 or the X7 hatchet were as sharp new, as they were after a few strokes with the sharpener, after that , they are to scary sharp
to carry around with out the sheath,seriously !!
I would rather carry a utilty knife,open, in my back pocket , than cerry these tools around with out the sheathe, Because of the weight behind of the cutting edge
There comes a point where they won't do the job like a 8 lb maul, so U break out the maul or wedge n sledge, if U prefer to swing the 8 lb maul ,more power to ya.
The little X7 compared to a conventional hatchet is very different, and much more efficient, if I have the need, to re split a 6 or 8 in split , down in the basement , with a 16" hi chopping block, I can do it one hand with the X7, with less effort , BUT don't expect these tools to tackle GD ,PITA elm