Fiskars axes

[T in NE]

I noticed wally's-mart has Fiskars (the scissors people) axes, from a hatchet up to a splitting axe. Anyone ever used one? They seem like a nice axe, lightweight handle could be carbon fiber, good sharp edge off the shelf. Thinking I might try one or it might be nice to have a back-up but the price tag has me hesitant to try one.
Made in Finland

 

[stephen roberts]

I own at least one of about everything fiskars make. from the axe, short and long splitter and one and two handed log carriers. you need to swing the splitters like an axe, not like a mall. have never broken one and work especially good if you lay the log on its side and swing for the middle. really good product, bet you will own more than one.

 

[big fred]

Can't speak to their axes, but after busting several shovels, I sprang for a Fiskars shovel and am plenty happy. It will outlive me.

 

[D beatty]

I carry one of there 14" that I use if I pinch a chainsaw. The 14" has been a good little axe.

 

[2x4]

I've used their knives; they are top notch for my purposes.

 

[36 Coupe]

You will do better finding a axe made back when they were in steady use.You may need a new handle but in the end you will have a good axe.I see all kinds of super duper high priced axes that sell for high prices.They have a very narrow poll and a rounded cutting edge.The axe I use most is over 80 years old.It has a 30 inch handle.The long 36 inch handles seem to be on import axes.

 

[Harold Hubbard]

It's a good axe, but for me it balances funny, too heavy towards the head. AND it will disappear, get lost, mislaid, stolen, run over by the bulldozer, just as easy as a $5 special that you picked up at a yard sale.

 

[M Nut]

Brother bought a splitting axe and took it to a neighborhood woodcutting bee for a disabled guy. All the regulars laughed and were giving him a bad time about showing up with that "toy". He started splitting wood with it, and before long everyone wanted to try it. Even the big 6'3" 275lb full time logger.
Fast forward to the next year's wood cutting bee. Same guys, same place. There were at least a dozen "toy" Fiskars splitting axes to be seen (including one for myself). The big logger? He had two, just incase one broke. He didn't want to be without one while waiting for a replacement for the broken one!
In the last 5 years of the wood bee, only saw one Fiskars axe break. An inexperienced young man, who really shouldn't have been using one in the first place, missed the block of wood and the handle struck the block just below the head. It cracked the handle. It was replaced with a new one, no questions asked.
I highly recommend them.

 

[rossow (mn)]

I had a Craftsman splitting axe that developed a separation in its two-piece handle. I returned it to Sears and was told Craftsman no longer makes axes, so I was offered a $54.99 Fiskars spllitter as a replacement. I really had little choice, so I took it. And I am amazed! It splits much better than the Craftsman, which did a good job in its own right. I can even split ash with the Fiskars. My 12-year-old grandson, not a big kid, can split maple with it. I suspect that most detractors of the Fiskars haven't actually tried one. (Disclaimers: Your mileage may vary. I have no connection to FIskars as an employee, stockholder, or otherwise.)

 

[Prawn Farmer]

Although I really like my collection of older classic axes, I have found Fiskars to be top notch quality, good balance, effective and they stand behind their products. The first time or two you swing one will kind of be different as their light weight will surprise you. They have been in business for over 350 years. I bought both of my Fiskars and a Peavy over recent years from Bailey's when they had them on sale.

 

[D beatty]

Fiskars make a good product but if you want a top quality felling or chopping axe I like Helko (German made). I still use my dads old Craftsman axes from time to time. They are from the late 40's t0 early 50's and have seen a lot of use. If I need a splitting axe and of all the axes I have used I like the Chopper1. If I run into a tough knot I still use wedges and a mall.

 

[PJH]

Nice looking axes - never owned one, but Fiskar replaced an entire limb lopper head for me, and I didn't even ask them to. I wouldn't be afraid to buy anything from that company.

 

[Bret4207]

(quoted from post at 07:33:54 12/08/13) I had a Craftsman splitting axe that developed a separation in its two-piece handle. I returned it to Sears and was told Craftsman no longer makes axes, so I was offered a $54.99 Fiskars spllitter as a replacement. I really had little choice, so I took it. And I am amazed! It splits much better than the Craftsman, which did a good job in its own right. I can even split ash with the Fiskars. My 12-year-old grandson, not a big kid, can split maple with it. I suspect that most detractors of the Fiskars haven't actually tried one. (Disclaimers: Your mileage may vary. I have no connection to FIskars as an employee, stockholder, or otherwise.)

Ash is about the easiest to split wood there is. I'm guessing you maybe meant Elm?

 

[Brian G. NY]

Harold,
Speaking of those $5.00 garage sale specials, I bought a full size PLUMB axe for $5.00 25 or 30 years ago and altho I don't use it much any more, it is a fine tool just like all their other tools.

 

[ss55]

I have not used a Fiskars axe. I do have a $30 Fiskars shovel that stays sharper and is easier to use than any other shovel I've used. On that alone I would give their axe a try if it feels good in your hands.

A good sharp edge off the shelf is a relative term. Some axes hold an edge better than others, but plan sharpen any axe when you buy one and then resharpen as needed.

Please let us know the results if you try one!

 

[T in NE]

Thanks for the input. I think I may get one of the long ones sometime the funds free up a little bit here. If I like it I may try one of their shovels, too. And if that's good I'll probably wish they made post-hole diggers, too.

 

[Ken Macfarlane]

Are they not the plow people too?

 

[tommy_harrell]

I have a fiskers super splitter and a x27. The ss is a little short for me and the x27 has been great. I keep a nicely sharpened plumb in the truck, it works almost as well. I haven't picked up a maul in years.

Tommy