...of the splitting world? Wondering if anything has ousted x27 as the best, it seemed to have held that award on most forums. I've had mine a few years now. Duller and rusty now, I have not kept a fine edge on it, not sure it matters.
I broke my first one back in March and they sent a replacement. It has dulled and gotten nicked and its my go to axe most of the time. I recently acquired their Isocore maul and like that as well I had the X25 prior and lost it roadside at a scounge a few years ago. I was so use to the shorter handle i find myself still choking up on the X27. I also have a Collins axe and use that as well. I like the wider cutting edge. All depends what im splitting. Never tried any other types. It would be interesting if they had all the various types to try at a GTG someday.
Mine remained king until I bought a splitter 3 years ago. Nicked, dinged and never sharpened, it worked as well the day I set it aside as the day it arrived. Unlike my splitter, it started first time, every time! It may return as my king because my dang splitter won't run at this time and I have a mountain of ash to split.
Im hoping Santa will put one in my stocking this year. But I have a boatload of wood to split until than, dont think I can hold out.
Many seem to like them. However, I've tried one twice now and am not impressed at all. Not any better than a simple single or double bitted axe and certainly not as good as a splitting maul. But best yet is hydraulics.
I've been a big fan of my X27 this year. I'm still waiting to pull the trigger on a Gränsfors Bruk splitting maul. I see they're only €158 on their website now, so maybe soon! Our house has a Gränsfors Bruk splitting hatchet for in-house and kindling use, absolutely phenomenal.
I think part of the allure is that they work as well as stuff that is twice as much money, or more. And their warranty. I have the X27 and a Isocore, don't regret either one, but I won't fool with them too long before getting the hydraulics out for tough wood...maybe even not so tough wood! I keep them and some wedges in the truck when I go to pick up a scrounge...in case I need to half or quarter something to lift it...I rarely take my log splitter away from home...
Hydraulics 1 X27 2 but sometimes it just feels good to split by hand especially certain types, cherry and some ash for example.
When you compare the price of a X27 to a wooden handled axe, its head and shoulders ahead. Over strikes, under strikes take their toll on the wooden handled axes and mauls. But the X27 keeps coming back for more. I really like mine, and the head is always good and solid, no worry's about it breaking or falling off if its too dry. I'd hate to guess how much money i've spent over the years on handles and time to put them on. Its not that i'm abusive, but, things happen, and eventually you have to replace the handle. Buy once, cry once. lol
I don’t think I use mine enough to have considerable say in this but I will be fine with using the x27 on mostly clear rounds. Usually If you’re chopping, you want to have that round you’re ready to split on a chopping block round. Keeping that edge sharp may or may not have much to do with the splitting but I certainly wouldn’t want to have it glance off in any way towards human bodies. Chopping block would at least hinder that. Used mostly 4-8 lb mauls and that’s good enough for making the larger splits smaller, no need to go further than that. Hydraulics here are always the advantage over swinging that axe for several reasons but helps to keep the splitting somewhat static. Having a full load of wood to split and stack, saves you more than you think. You’re not going to have perfect results based on how the wood splits as some are differently grained but choosing over whacking a knot some 50 times before the maul gets through it and you’re fighting for air is hardly much room for discussion. I bought my hydraulic splitter for this very reason and I’m not ashamed about it. Some very very hard to split wood has come home with me and I’ve always loved to test the splitting ease of it with both options. Some splitting just happens to do better with the splitter if you’re looking to make a more consistent result.
i like it and grab it before a maul , a friend broke one a few years ago and they sent him a new one like they did for buZZsaw BRAD the warranty on fiskars products is something to consider when making a purchase
