Traditionally Fiskars billhook was used for clearing bush and pruning the logs. My grandpa used to prune lowest branches in a pine forest with it. I consider billhook as a forester tool. However I have also found it works for camping because thin trunks and branches makes good firewood. In midsummer there is vegetation everywere and it is hard to cut anything small and springy with an axe so billhook is good alternative. The design has not changed much, I think they have really improved it. The blade and handle is much better than traditional fiskars, old one got lighter blade and wooden handle. The new handle is best thing in fiskars in my opinion because it is so durable and maintenance-free and isn't as slippery as smooth wood. It's ugly and too modern looking in my taste, but durable so hard to complain. I remember the times when the wooden axe handles needed replacement because of "missfires".
I still use the same xa3, in the mediterranean bush since 2014. i use it for everyday jobs as well as for adventures. Quality of material is just amazing. I would never want a better tool. Thanks for the video.
I got one of these for cleaning around fruit trees in our orchards, close to the trunk it's too risky with a petrol brush cutter. This is the best tool I've used so far for the job. Nicely balanced, cuts grasses and thicker more woody stuff with ease.
In case someone is curious, this design is a so called billhook, similar to a falx. Very popular in many European countries for centuries. Nowadays other machete versions are more well known but these can still be seen in gardening.
Hey mate. Nice demo. My land has some pretty dense, vine tangled jungle as well as a whole lot of lantana. I think the hooked blade will be ideal. I'm thinking the long handle version will be more useful. Thanks for sharing. Dan.
Yes it can chop. It is designed to be used in a downward swinging motion with a slight rearward pull to cut limbs and small trees. Picture a clock face. Start at 12 and swing in a similar arc as the numbers on the clock face. It should handle a 25mm branch in one swing if you catch it correctly. Fiskars makes a longer handel/tool head. I dont know the model nu.ber
A good review. That handle looks like you’re supposed to grip it towards the back. That’s why it’s curved. It also gives you more leverage and swing when cutting.
Really impressed by this test. I saw that log, I thought the hook would be the wrong tool for that job, wrong again. I really like that tool, I plan on getting one for a scrubby part of my yard. I have the shorter version which is pretty nice as well. Anybody sharpen one of these yet?
Tenis tape might solve some of those problems. Thank you for your review, I got myself the same thing for some bush work and I am happy I got something decent it seems :)
Yeah it's like The Woodsman's Pal but the Pal is a lot better chopper. Both are good for clearing a site, whippersnappers, de-limbing, brush...light chopping with the Fiskars, but it's not an axe, the Pal is closer to a hatchet or axe...but it's got that great hook, like this Fiskars. For better chopping get The Woodsman's Pal. Don't need that? Get this Fiskars. So that's my opinion...
I've watched this and other videos of people using this tool all with the same technique - flailing away at a log or medium brush and using this light weight tool and a lot of strokes. If I was going to cut a branch of any size I would use an axe. For light brush a scythe. For medium sized brush a scythe would bonce off and the brush would spring/bend out of the way of an axe and so not cut. The technique I have used (with a serrated hand scythe) is to grab a bundle of brush with my left had (to hold it in place so the tool bites), hook the tool around the brush and then with a pulling/sawing motion use the part of the blade that faces me and my body weight to cut/saw through the brush. I'd like to see someone use that technique with this tool. Also don't grip too close to the cut.
Yeah it's like The Woodsman's Pal but the Pal is a lot better chopper. Both are good for clearing a site, whippersnappers, de-limbing, brush...light chopping with the Fiskars, but it's not an axe, the Pal is closer to a hatchet or axe...but it's got that great hook, like this Fiskars. For better chopping get The Woodsman's Pal. Don't need that? Get this Fiskars. So that's my opinion...
Good review. I'm tossing between this and the Fiskars Machete Axe. Both around the same price. I'm thinking the Machete Axe may be more valuable in a camping environment. Better for cutting up wood. But this seems more compact and would be better to hike with. Would appreciate anyone's thoughts.
Traditionally Fiskars billhook was used for clearing bush and pruning the logs. My grandpa used to prune lowest branches in a pine forest with it. I consider billhook as a forester tool. However I have also found it works for camping because thin trunks and branches makes good firewood. In midsummer there is vegetation everywere and it is hard to cut anything small and springy with an axe so billhook is good alternative. The design has not changed much, I think they have really improved it. The blade and handle is much better than traditional fiskars, old one got lighter blade and wooden handle. The new handle is best thing in fiskars in my opinion because it is so durable and maintenance-free and isn't as slippery as smooth wood. It's ugly and too modern looking in my taste, but durable so hard to complain. I remember the times when the wooden axe handles needed replacement because of "missfires".
I still use the same xa3, in the mediterranean bush since 2014. i use it for everyday jobs as well as for adventures.
Quality of material is just amazing. I would never want a better tool. Thanks for the video.
Thanks for the comment. I am slowly developing a soft spot for it. I still like my axe, but the XA3 definitely has it's place.
I got one of these for cleaning around fruit trees in our orchards, close to the trunk it's too risky with a petrol brush cutter. This is the best tool I've used so far for the job. Nicely balanced, cuts grasses and thicker more woody stuff with ease.
In case someone is curious, this design is a so called billhook, similar to a falx. Very popular in many European countries for centuries. Nowadays other machete versions are more well known but these can still be seen in gardening.
You did a great job demonstrating what this Fiskars can do! Thanks - much appreciated…
Hey mate. Nice demo. My land has some pretty dense, vine tangled jungle as well as a whole lot of lantana. I think the hooked blade will be ideal. I'm thinking the long handle version will be more useful. Thanks for sharing. Dan.
Yes it can chop. It is designed to be used in a downward swinging motion with a slight rearward pull to cut limbs and small trees. Picture a clock face. Start at 12 and swing in a similar arc as the numbers on the clock face. It should handle a 25mm branch in one swing if you catch it correctly. Fiskars makes a longer handel/tool head. I dont know the model nu.ber
A good review. That handle looks like you’re supposed to grip it towards the back. That’s why it’s curved. It also gives you more leverage and swing when cutting.
The hook is actually excellent in my opinion.
It's overall an impressive performer.
No fuss.
Really impressed by this test. I saw that log, I thought the hook would be the wrong tool for that job, wrong again. I really like that tool, I plan on getting one for a scrubby part of my yard. I have the shorter version which is pretty nice as well. Anybody sharpen one of these yet?
Got one, love it,,,
10/10 almost lost both my thumb and index finger. Edge was slightly rolled when i bought it but a quick sharpen it become razor sharp.
Tenis tape might solve some of those problems. Thank you for your review, I got myself the same thing for some bush work and I am happy I got something decent it seems :)
....maybe you could use it for shaving?
The hook is great for vines and green plants. It's a pretty good compromise between a scythe and a machete.
Thanks for posting
Yeah it's like The Woodsman's Pal but the Pal is a lot better chopper.
Both are good for clearing a site, whippersnappers, de-limbing, brush...light chopping with the Fiskars, but it's not an axe, the Pal is closer to a hatchet or axe...but it's got that great hook, like this Fiskars.
For better chopping get The Woodsman's Pal.
Don't need that?
Get this Fiskars.
So that's my opinion...
It’s very good! Thank you!!!
Get the long handled one if you need to clear lantana, Im very happy with it
Instead of the fiskars bill hook I use the fiskars brush axe and the fiskars knife. Both work very well, and have a lifetime guarantee.
Nice review, it ate through that like nothing!
I've watched this and other videos of people using this tool all with the same technique - flailing away at a log or medium brush and using this light weight tool and a lot of strokes. If I was going to cut a branch of any size I would use an axe. For light brush a scythe. For medium sized brush a scythe would bonce off and the brush would spring/bend out of the way of an axe and so not cut. The technique I have used (with a serrated hand scythe) is to grab a bundle of brush with my left had (to hold it in place so the tool bites), hook the tool around the brush and then with a pulling/sawing motion use the part of the blade that faces me and my body weight to cut/saw through the brush. I'd like to see someone use that technique with this tool. Also don't grip too close to the cut.
Yeah it's like The Woodsman's Pal but the Pal is a lot better chopper.
Both are good for clearing a site, whippersnappers, de-limbing, brush...light chopping with the Fiskars, but it's not an axe, the Pal is closer to a hatchet or axe...but it's got that great hook, like this Fiskars.
For better chopping get The Woodsman's Pal.
Don't need that?
Get this Fiskars.
So that's my opinion...
can you strike a ferro rod off the back of it? I can imagine the hook is good for reaching up to pull branches down for wild edibles too.
Many people have a problem with quality of steel, last time.
Good review. I'm tossing between this and the Fiskars Machete Axe. Both around the same price. I'm thinking the Machete Axe may be more valuable in a camping environment. Better for cutting up wood. But this seems more compact and would be better to hike with. Would appreciate anyone's thoughts.
Mine chipped on the first time in the woods, but it was a easy fix
All I bought mine for is removing thistles nettles n stinging nettles with thicker weeds when fishing and the odd twig branches from a tree
WoodXpert Brush Hook XA3
Didn't even cut brush 😕
This is not axe, its for bushes and branches
I don't get why they changed the design from the original x3 to this nonsense.
У меня есть эта вещь 👍😀
j was already ordered axle x12 but j saw MADE IN CHINA sign on fiskars