It doesn't get much harder (i.e. vs soft) than Hickory holy moly. The x27 36" maul is a beast and I won't leave home without it. A little surprise here that luckily I didn't hit with the chainsaw or the maul!
I also love the small Fiskars hatchet. Initially I didn't like it so much for making kindling. It was a bit lighter than the wooden handled one I was used to. But now I really enjoy it and have gotten used to the difference in weight. Combine that with the lifetime warranty by Fiskars the combo works for me!
buZZsaw BRAD ain't the only one! I've had my manual pole saw replaced as well as an x27. I also, coincidentally, had a brass slop sink faucet (read 1946 slop sink) replaced by Gerber (same company) under the same lifetime warrantly. It was awesome. At first they sent just the stem but that didn't do the trick so they ended up replacing the entire thing for me!
What type of tape for a better grip LOTF? Since ive got a new X25 i use that 90% of the time now. The X27 is my "roadie" axe.
I just use black hockey tape. It's not sticky on the outside - just on the inside. I've had to replace the grip once so far in 3 years. I've smeared spruce/pine sap when I find those pockets to make it a bit sticky. I wouldn't mind using sticky black hockey tape but I didn't have any and just used what I had.
I bought a X27 a few days ago because all the buzz here, and I agree that is is excellent. I have split wood occasionally growing up, but now tbat I have a saw of my own, I felt the need for a splitting axe of my own. I bought mine from a Home Depot and they had the X25 as well. The X25 felt very short and the X27 felt a little long. I was heavily conflicted, but felt I would learn to love the longer axe instead of grow to hate the shorter. I'm happy with the choice. I have made several over swings, and would have really done a number on a pretty wood handle. This one may be a keeper. This pile was over idk, roughly 45 minutes a day for three days? Its hot here and I was out early to try and beat the heat.