A 100% NOOB "review" of my new Fiskars X27

[Big Donnie Brasco]

So I don't have a stove yet, I've NEVER used a chainsaw yet, and I have NEVER swung an axe... til today!

I scrounged a few small loads of wood and went out and got me the "latest-greatest" hand splitter

Someone on here recommended the tire thing to retain the split wood, so I tried it. That worked great for ME for a few reasons.... I had a tendency to "swing for the fences" and fly through the wood! With the tire in place the shaft just impacted the rubber.The blade is chefs-knife sharp so watch your fingers!

I am still trying to find the right swing, but I only got one "bounce". Then regrouped and swung again with a focus on swing speed. Maybe like the physics of golf?!Cleaved it like a light saber!

So with NOTHING to compare it to I REALLY liked it a lot! I can't imagine the devastation it will have on COLD wood!! I split a few 20 inch hardwood rounds with NO problems. I split for 15 minutes, and stopped only because I figured that I might be sore tomorrow. If not I'll split some more!

In 15 minutes I split this little pile (two rows deep) and could have split the entire pile but I didn't wanna overdo it on my very first day.




It's not a lot but for someone that has never done it before I tho't it wasn't a bad start.

 

[jeff_t]

Wait until you start swinging it your big hedge score

 

[Big Donnie Brasco]

Wait until you start swinging it your big hedge score

oh..... is that gonna suck?

I DID have 4 hedge rounds in the bunch and they "popped" apart better than the others... I think with the physics that this operates under, harder wood just pops right apart. It was more difficult to split the wetter, greener stuff.

BDB

 

[brian89gp]

I usually put some wood down on the ground between where I stand and the splitting block. Glancing blows will usually put the tip of the x27 into the ground or your toes, the wood on the ground prevents both.

Straight branchless hedge splits nice and easy, problem is hedge is rarely straight or branchless. Had several rounds this past winter that stalled a 22 ton splitter.

 

[Big Donnie Brasco]

I usually put some wood down on the ground between where I stand and the splitting block. Glancing blows will usually put the tip of the x27 into the ground or your toes, the wood on the ground prevents both.

Straight branchless hedge splits nice and easy, problem is hedge is rarely straight or branchless. Had several rounds this past winter that stalled a 22 ton splitter.

Hey Brian... evidently you have not seen my MASSIVE guns!!

* 100% kidding

 

[brian89gp]

But, on the bright side you will be cutting the hedge so you can avoid a lot of splitting troubles by separating out crotches and straight sections.

....You'll get those guns lugging around all that hedge.

 

[bogydave]

Making kindling?
Small splits will dry faster
The rounds in the top pic, I'd just split in half so it dries well

You have the right idea most hard woods (straight grained) split easy.
Usually fresh cut green stuff pops apart (some exceptions like spruce)

Can be fun & a good way to get a workout.
(For those with no back injuries.)

 

[Flatbedford]

It is a nice tool. You have to update your signature.

 

[loadstarken]

Nice work!

You'd better update your signature with your new gear!
I need to do that also because my saws are multiplying!

 

[Big Donnie Brasco]

It is a nice tool. You have to update your signature.

DONE


Can't wait to post picts of my new saw.......... it's gonna be BAS @$$

 

[Big Donnie Brasco]

Making kindling?
Small splits will dry faster
The rounds in the top pic, I'd just split in half so it dries well

You have the right idea most hard woods (straight grained) split easy.
Usually fresh cut green stuff pops apart (some exceptions like spruce)

Can be fun & a good way to get a workout.
(For those with no back injuries.)

Thanks Dave..... I have NO idea how large or small to split the wood. One of the things I never considered!!

 

[Ram 1500 with an axe...]

Good going, I have also been told I split my wood too small, lol

 

[bogydave]

Well, you want a variety of sizes, IMO.

Small for a quick to get hot, take the chill off fire & it burns out quick&
to fill in voids between bigger splits
To
Big splits to make it thru the night.


I hve mostly birch, so everything up to 8" - 9" rounds get split in half.
10" I take 4" off one side & split the big 2/3 piece in half.
12" get quartered down the middle.
12" to 14" I get 5 splits, maybe 1 4" X 4"
16" & above, I get some nice 3" X 4" / 5"s , 4" X 4" / 5" / 6"s , 5" x 5" /6" s

with some nice triangle splits off the ends
for over night burns & good for the end row cross stack,

5" X 6" s is about as big as I go. May have a few 6X6 s
Good & dry in 3 years .
Big splits for long, hot burns on cold nights

Some examples:

 

[Big Donnie Brasco]

You da MAN Dave!!

Thank you very much for taking the time to post this!! It really does help!!

Don

 

[swagler85]

Very nice Donnie! What area are you from?

 

[Big Donnie Brasco]

Very nice Donnie! What area are you from?

I am from Kansas... About 45 minutes from Kansas city.

 

[swagler85]

I am from Kansas... About 45 minutes from Kansas city.

Cool, I just came back from out that way. Spent some time turkey hunting in Nebraska. Great times, you have some amazing turkey hunting in Kansas and Nebraska!

 

[Sean McGillicuddy]

I am from Kansas....

Funny I don't see that under that nice pic!!

 

[Jags]

I have some elm you can test that thing on.

 

[Big Donnie Brasco]

I have some elm you can test that thing on.
View attachment 101465

Whatever.... that is PASTA

 

[Big Donnie Brasco]

Cool, I just came back from out that way. Spent some time turkey hunting in Nebraska. Great times, you have some amazing turkey hunting in Kansas and Nebraska!

I LOVE me some turkey hunting!!
I posted my latest turkey hunt in the "off topic" three different times but it never showed up!

 

[Jags]

That is a fat bird. I just thought of a new use for the X27...

 

[swagler85]

I LOVE me some turkey hunting!!
I posted my latest turkey hunt in the "off topic" three different times but it never showed up!

Limbhanger! Heck of a bird! We hunted Kansas and Nebraska last year. Loved it there. That an eastern, or mix? We got into Miriam's and Rios where we hunted.
As far as the post not showing up, may be the mods. They let a bit slide but aren't very fond of "dead animal" pics on here

 

[Big Donnie Brasco]

Limbhanger! Heck of a bird! We hunted Kansas and Nebraska last year. Loved it there. That an eastern, or mix? We got into Miriam's and Rios where we hunted.
As far as the post not showing up, may be the mods. They let a bit slide but aren't very fond of "dead animal" pics on here

Thank you for the heads up... I didn't realize that. I won't post anymore.

That bird was an Eastern, BUT it had some really bright colors like a Merriam. It was 26.6 pounds 1.5" spurs., and 12 inch beard!
The HUNT itself was the greatest hunt I have ever had!!

 

[Flatbedford]

I have some elm you can test that thing on.
View attachment 101465

Elm is best left in the woods to rot.