Another Fiskars testimony.

I helped my brother cut wood yesterday. As I unloaded my gear he saw my X27 and asked me why did I bring an ax, I told him it was a splitting ax. We were cutting down Ash trees, cutting to size and splitting by hand. His back was killing him (that's why he wanted my help). He started splitting with his Monster Maul, but after he saw me using the X27 he used it the rest of the day. He said with his bad back it was easier to use and did a great job. I think he'll be getting one.

As a side note, we worked together and talked for a couple of hours and his back pain went away. Makes you wonder what is good for a bad back?

 

When I use my X27, I can go "all day" without pain. Swinging the maul that long, different story.

I believe the maul splits better than the Fiskars, swing for swing. But I split better using the Fiskars for most of it, then grabbing the maul for the stuff I cannot split with a couple of swings of the X27.

Greg

 

Bushpilot, I can't move my body as if I was splitting all day with empty hands so no way with my X27 in my hands. On the other hand the X27 isn't really taking any toll on me.

 

The short handle on the Monster Maul is hard for me to get used to.

 

I like my X27! Especially splitting Ash firewood!

 

I use mine for splitting whatever I get for scrounges. I used my wood handle maul which was a little heavier for years and I would get tendinitis on tough splits. The pain would put me out of splitting for months, and then just re-aggravate when I used it again.

With the X 27, no more. It absolutely leaves me with no elbow pain. Bottom line is, if the grain is tough, use a wedge and sledge or hydraulics. It is not worth the injury.

It really will not go through elm without a lot of effort. No issue with other hardwood species. I'm glad I have it. I wish it was a little heavier, but that is my preference.

 

I love my fiskars x25 and x27. But they sit now and my weight rises since the purchase of my dht 22t. Once i catch up on my pile im going to make myself do it the old way when i can take a slower pace

 

I used a cheap maul of some kind for a little bit until I heard about the fiskars splitting axe. There is nothing in my opinion better. I split everything by hand. Oak,beech,poplar,hickory they all get whats coming to them. On severely knotted pieces it can be tough but still achievable. The weight is great and I can swing it for hours. I would like to setup a competition at a GTG to see how I can hang with someone running a hydro splitter I think I could give them a run for the money if everything was fairly equal. Anyways I love my fiskars and it wont be going anywhere anytime soon.

Little video of me splitting some big red oak rounds. Moved my splitting setup so now I have access to all sides so I do not have to move the round, I can just move my body.

 

I think you could easily split Ash much faster than a splitter. That being said I have a splitter and a Fiskars x27 and I mainly use the splitter.

 

I'm pretty fit but geez no way could I go all day with my X27. Sure I can go 2-3X as long as I could with my 8# maul but my last woodcutting sessions my arms were to the point of pain after maybe 3-4hrs, and if I didn't give it 2-3 days off and went at it again the next day I could only go half as long. You guys are tough Actually I still have to finish splitting that pile. After working on it a few weeks I needed a break, that break became a month, and then I forgot about it.

 

Since I've been burning wood to heat my home; I've used nothing but a Fiskars X-25.....................and a friends mechanical splitter ONCE last December to split some gnarly Box Elder!!!!

 

Based on some really good reviews I tried a couple other high-end (like double price of X27 or more) splitting axes, but came right back to the Fiskars. Luckily I was able to return the other ones. I haven't used hydraulics since I rented one the first year I heated with wood, over 5 years ago. However I've accumulated a big pile of rounds I can't split, was debating if Menards or someplace has the super cheap splitter again this black friday I may just finally buy one.

 

Menards is selling one for a few more days at $799.

 

i use an x25 mainly for splitting dry sticks down for fire starting. had the same experience as you guys. i've used all the heavy stuff over the years and now use the lightest tool that will do the job. latest acquisition is a council tool 6# maul and 2 helko twisted wedges. it's the x25 for some stuff, the 6# maul + wedges for the rest of it. i was using a 10# sledge and wedges, went down to an 8#, then decided to forget about sledge hammers and let a 6# maul do double duty. it's been the same principle use lighter tools. i used to have a monster maul and wouldn't touch one now.

 

I like splitting by hand. Especially on a frozen UP morning with a few cups of coffee in your belly. I usually use a 6 pounder for most of it, sometimes an 8 pounder. If that don't get it I have an old O-31 with a rip chain on it and use that lengthwise at least once. Usually after you slice it in half once they whack fairly easy. For me anyway. I actually split a lot of wood with an everyday normal axe. But I'm pretty big

 

I really like my X25, but I usually use my Gransfors maul. I'm fine with the X25 for a short session, but I get shoulder pain with it if I go too long. Somehow the heavier Gransfors gives me less pain after a longer session. It may just be that I just move slower with the heavier one and don't get as much done for the time. If I were in a rush, I would probably not split by hand. I don't need that much wood and I like the exercise.

 

I really like the X25 If it won't do it...time for the hydraulics. I keep a small fiskars near the splitter for the stringy stuff

 

I have a Fiskars x27 that does me well. After reading a few posts here, I'm thinking about seeing if my wife might have a bit of fun with the x25 on some shorter rounds.
I read somewhere here about the difference between weight and velocity on impact force, and I think the Fiskars really lets you gets some speed up without tiring.
I've just seen a vertical 'sliding post' style splitter that they've brought out. Not sure how it would compare.

 

Same for me. Wooden handles destroy my bad elbows, but I can chop all day with a Fiskars.