Ive got about 40 tonne of wood (80 cubic metres approx.) which has been drying for about 2 years now which needs another split in half so the missus can handle them. Thought id buy a good axe. Cost me $180 and im gonna try her out in a couple of days. Its a Fiskers Axe with a sharpish edge but it has a blockbuster design. Its like a 2 in 1. Anybody rate these? http://au.fiskars.com/Gardening-Yar...ranches/Axes/122480-Fiskars-Splitting-Axe-X25
Rarely. I've sharpened it twice in a year. It still works just fine when its dull, for all but the stringiest stuff. That's when I like a sharp axe - severs the fibers better so you're not fighting 1/2 split pieces that refuse to come apart. Don't be surprised to find yourself breaking them the rest of the way down, and asking the missus to handle fetching you a beer and sandwich instead!
Sounds good. The plastic handle put me off a bit when I first picked it up and the weight was a bit light. The X27 definitely seems to be the best but I didn't know about it as there was none on the shelf and thought the x25 was the biggest. I would definitely have got the heavier one if it was there. I snapped the handle on my blockbuster and I got impatient and went out a bought what I thought was the best one in the shop.
I used to have trouble with the heads coming loose after a few overstrikes with a traditional style axe. This one just keeps on taking the punishment. I was worried about the lightness of it at first too, but it's actually what you want. It won't wear you out nearly as fast as a heavier axe, and mathematically, you exert more power through speed than mass anyhow. The kinetic energy of a non-rotating object of mass m travelling at speed v is 1/2 mv2. Therefore, an increase in mass produces a linear increase in power, while an increase in speed is exponential.
Whats the ideal height to split at? Ive got a big round which im gonna use as the base for this big job and I want to cut it straight level for an even surface to put my tire on. Im not sure the optimum height for a guy my height for power and ease of splitting?. Im 5 foot 10. Is there even a best height which to split at?
That's more of a preference thing I think. Some guys won't even use a splitting block because they don't want to lift the rounds. I end up putting my axe in the driveway more if they're not up off the ground, so I use one. I think you just gotta find something comfortable and go with it.
I bought the Fiskars X25 because I liked the size. I keep it near the splitter when I need help with the extra large, stringy stuff. They are well built and work good
I have one of the older models, it is 28" long. If the wood is reasonably straight it works great. For the tougher stuff I have a7# mall with a 36" handle, if it doesn't make it through on the first swing I can hit the back with a sledge, ( can't do that with a Fiskers) I made up a chopping block with a tire, it is about 12" high.
I have a couple Fiskars axe/mauls. I have found the wrapped head and hollow handle design is more durable then the old standard wood or plastic handles where the handle goes through the middle of the head. However, I'm wondering why it cost you $180? Most of these Fiskar axes/mauls can be bought for $50 or less. Fiskar X25
"I used to have trouble with the heads coming loose after a few overstrikes with a traditional style axe." ... you never saw my kids or wife run so fast, as whenever I'd grab one of the old axes at the farm. Ya think they were trying to tell me sumthin?
I use an x27. Using it is like playing music. Don't let the hollow handle put you off, it is tough, and they will replace it if you break it (which you won't). I have sharpened mine one - after I hit a rock. Greg
X25 and X27 are the same axe head. The difference is in how long the handle is. I have a Fiskars with no number that is just like an X27 except that it does not have the orange handle. The orange handle supposedly gives a more slip resistant grip. I find my no number axe is best with maybe a 2 foot high top on the wood I am splitting. I am also around 5'10" tall. Adjust your base to give the top penetration point the right height for you and you will love that axe. For me it took maybe 2 swings to decide my original height was all wrong and to adjust it.
With the exchange rate now $180 would be about $140. In Australia everything is at least double than the US (except cars) and houses at least triple but the wages are significantly higher so its much the same. Tasmania is a bit higher for products due to freight as well but housing is cheaper. A family cant live very well in the major cities unless their combined income is well into 6 figures. A packet of 25 cigarettes here is about $22 USD and beer is about $50 a case of 24 take away. The place has been awash with cash since China boomed since we are an export mining economy. Things are slowing down though. I bought a lettuce just last month in a regional mining town and it cost me over $10. Even I was shocked.
Ok here we go I will now put this in the right thread I like the Fiskers , see my signature , I do most splitting with the splitter but the Fiskers all have their place and get used
