Fiskars X7 Hatchet: First Impressions and Comparisons
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 ต.ค. 2024
- tinyurl.com/mdw... Preparedmind101 takes a first impressions look at the Fiskars X7, a tool that was recommended by many people in various videos' comments section. For comparison, I test side by side with various similar sized tools, such as the Cold Steel Pipe Hawk, CRKT Kangee T-Hawk, and the Schrade SCAXE2L.
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I love my Fiskars hatchet. Have owned mine for several years. I wanted to buy a traditional wood handle hatchet, but too much to research and some are pricey. However I saw the Fiskars in garden section of a store and the price was so good I bought one. It has been great to use for kindling for fireplace and delimbing around the property and getting rid of dead wood. Now I just need to learn how to finish up the edge a little. Great review.
The black one is from the Fiskars 365 series. ..limited edition released for the Fiskars 365 year anniversary. ..
Anybody else watch reviews on things they've already bought?
Ian Duncan I do
Yeah
Yep
weird I was just watching this and thinking why was I watching a review of something I bought years ago!
Yes, I do all the time.
I've had a Fiskars x7 for 3 years or so. It chops great imho. But i see want a CS Tomahawk ;)
Finally got an X7 last week, perfect size and weight for backpacking and camping, but totally agree, grip is comfortable but too slick! Thanks chris, nice to see the comparisons, still my favourite channel, must be, its the only one I watch the ads on!
JBFIVESEVEN hockey tape
I'm happy to see you with the glasses I get hammered in the eyes almost every time I chop wood great video
Estwing makes small and camping models. Both have served me well for many years. Oh and I've had the same hammer for twenty plus years,using it everyday.
Just wanna say thanks Chris since I've watched your vids I've started making my own knives now it's a hobby I really enjoy thanks dude
Sears carries fiskers x7 and other fiskers products in lawn and garden. They also carry the fiskers sharpener for the axes and x7 that is fantastic!
I have been using the Fiskars hatchet for about 10 years and it has served me well on dozens of camping and backpacking trips. Holds an edge very well and can be sharpened enough to make feather sticks. My only complaint is the “sheath” it comes with. It’s fine for car camping but I wanted a leather or nylon sheath for backpacking so I bought the Gerber backpack hatchet that has pretty much the same size and shape head but a shorter handle because it comes with a nylon sheath that has a belt loop. The sheath fits the Fiskars as well. It’s a little snugger fit but it works really well for backpacking trips which I still prefer to bring the Fiskars on over the shorter Gerber because it will out-chop the Gerber by a pretty wide margin and it is only a few ounces heavier. Also I wrapped the handle of mine in para cord and I figured out that you can fit a Mora Basic inside the handle if you grind down the finger guard and drill a hole in the butt for a lanyard (so you can pull it back out).
Dude, you've got some serious tools. I'm getting the X7 and X27 for Christmas. Hope this finds you well 6 years later.
the Fiskars is damned good. I have one and it's 10 years old. it's a cutting SOB, but you can't replace the handle when it breaks. the schrade looks good...I don't have one, but to me in the video it looks pretty good? however, I have nothing against a standard wooden handled hatchet either.... they all work ok for me. possibility I might purchase the 13" camp hatchet by estwing on the next go round? have no doubt though that the Fiskars is a cutting little SOB because I testify it is. thx4vid chris, martina
The all black one is the predecessor to the X series. They're the same except later generation Fiskars axes and hatchets have the lip that protects the head wrap where the older ones don't, so you'll get splinters of wood under it sometimes. That said, my old one is still going strong.
Thanks for the review. Good to see a lot of Fiskars among bushcraft and survival folks (I'm from Finland ;-)
Chris when chopping the twigs use the side of the log, rather than the top. It will stop you needing to search the whole garden hunting for the twig pieces that are flying off.
Is that a cold steel pipe hawk? I have a couple of the Norse Hawks cut down and moded for throwing but.. I'd take one of them in the woods before I used a "hatchet" of any kind.. If I were going to buy for that purpose I'd get the pipe or hammer just for the uses and the extra weight behind the head (though I dunno the Norse and pipe may be pretty close in weight
also of note: in a hardware store, it may be in the lawn and garden section, or it may be with the hammers.
Glad you found the X7 to be as good as I think it is, thanks for the review. Just a Reminder to PM101 watchers, help Chris out by watching the ad's before the video's.
it's about 6 years old. Have you updated with new camp axe products for comparison? We definitely like and support your channel and links.
Excellent video.
Finally someone realizes in Finland, we produce other good products than just guns, ammunition, mobile phones, and ice breakers. :D
Great video, thanks for posting!
We produce very much great stuff in Finland ;)
Hey STN! I appreciate the crafstmanship that you folks put into everything that you make. Thanks!
I have been using a Fiskars X7 for seversl years now and I love. I'm having C2G fab make a kydex holster for a new X7 I recently purchased. Can't wait to see how it turns out. Great video.
I've seen like ONE place make kydex for this thing. It's a little tricky. I don't mind the locking handle that much...I'll just hang it from molle straps. If I'm wearing something on my side it's going to be one of my others... Most likely a hawk. I have some new ideas for larger axe carry I'll be trying out soon once I get it made.
the black handle one is the newer model, they are fazing out the orange one.
I wrapped my fiskars hatchet and my gerber camp AXE, they are the same the gerber just has a longer handle but anyway I did a paracord wrap on bout 3/4 of the handles on both, it really helped my grip on both!!
Good vid Chris. .
I don't know much about axes/hatchets/tomahawks but from your review I'd say the Fiskers and Schrade did a good job and would be my picks for function and the weight savings.
Cheers!
Hey Chris I'm quite new to the whole axe thing and the first axe I got was the fiskars x10 carpenters axe its like the x7 but with a longer and heavier head but is very nice I suggest this to you as a nice small axe.
Thank you for the review! On chopping kindling, if there's a tree stump etc. availlable like in your case here, I've used to choppin smaller sticks by aligning the stick against the stump's egde and then striking the stick right where it rests on the stumps edge. I don't know if I made any sense or if there's any difference to having the stick lay level with the stump when striking it. Somehow it just feel I get more power into the cut that way.
Another great video. Thanks for putting them all in one for comparison.
I am using the 2. gen for 8 years still great chopped down A lot pf trees with it
i fell in love with my x-7 after i learned its limits. great at carving.
You should show the head profile looking straight down towards the handle. It'd be helpful to compare them side by side to see which would be better as far as penetration or splitting or kicking out chunks of wood. Just a suggestion. I think it'd really help your viewers.
Home depot used to sell Scott lawn tractors which were made by John Deere and had their logos on them but to HD specks; they were orange. Now they just sell JD tractors. in full green. Mires may have a deal with Fiskars selling their hatchets with a slightly different appearance and possibly but not necessarily lesser quality i.e. to their specks.
Good axe if you don't mind fixing nicks. I'm not going to call them chips because the metal isnt brittle...more softish. I can see the steel in those nicks isnt missing..more compressed as though I hit a nail....though I know I didn't. Two nicks after chopping down a few small trees on my first run. Maybe I got some average heat treat batch. Still like it. Some other metals may have chipped though not likely as lower rhc's are better on chopping devices in general.
had mine for over ten years, basic camping and yard work. took a piece of cord and looped it in the lanyard hole and tied it tight around the front of the handle for grip. always has served me well, just my 2 cents. good vid as usual, chop on.
They are all good but I like the zombie tactic and the last hatchet you was Chopin with.🇺🇸👍
I have a Frederick like it
I love my x7 but the metal is very soft and the cutting edge will very easily get nicked up if it strikes anything even relatively hard! But the material used for the axe head does lend itself to be easily fixed and resharpened to razor specs
Wish id read this early today before i badly damaged my blade and back of handle under head
pls mention steel type,weight,length, and show head profiles each and altogether for comparison (helps determine cutting applications)...makes a big difference to us that hike deep
When I tried my friends fiskars I found the profile too close to a splitting profile. Of course not a issue if you only use a axe to split wood.
I can tell that you are more familiar with long blades when you chopped the 45 degree trunk. You might get more out of hatchets if you shorten your arm swing, and generate power from the initial arc of the head. Think of the movement like a cane head, where you create an arc, and then flatten out the angle so that the force moves in the direction of the point of impact. Also, one of the advantages of long blades is that the greater area of impact absorbs energy otherwise lost to poor form. Smaller hatchet heads mean more concentrated power, but also more potential for power bleed off in an insecure grip. The wide swing you used encourages poor gripping because you end up landing at an angle that stresses the wrist and forearm.
Anyway, I'm sure that you will pick up on subjective hatchet specific techniques over time. Thanks for the video. The Pipe Hawk is one of the better values in the Cold Steel lineup.
that fiskars wants an angle, even with kindling-it will cut it one shot try a 45 angle.
Hawks are different.
the black one is for the Gerber rebrand
Yeahh Gerber and Fiskars are both made by Fiskars I do BELIEVE??
Fiskers are fine tools, liked the comparisons and the larger Schrade did a decent job.
The Cold Steel did seem a good cross between the styles...e.g. tactical and practical.
I called Fiskars a few months ago asking what the differences were between the "hatchet" and the "x7" and they said the handle composition. Hope that ends the mystery.
Ridgeback Fancy The hatchet works great, that's all I know. I use it pretty much everyday, Got it for $25 at Lowe's
the fisker head is made to split wood with a little bit of chopping .. try a splitting test on them
Good, I have never bought an axe, hatchet or any other type of chop tool. I have a lot of trees, branches and limbs falling that need cutting and splitting before burning. Chainsaws are great but at times not worth starting, besides it would be easier to carry an hatchet while walking around the property. Any ideas if you were to buy just one all around chopping tool witch would it be ?
A saw
As to why the axes are similar but different; Meijer's buyers may have wanted something different than what Fiskers has on hand. Changing a color scheme is a way for stores to feel that they have an "exclusive" item. Every vendor doesn't want to carry the exact item everywhere, the colors may differ but it is essentially the same item.
I have as much experience with big knives as I do axe's/hatchet's. Axe's are one of the few tools I don't think it's a good idea to wrap the handle. Since most axe handles are ergonomic, at least to a point. You can't "feel" the handle as well as if it wasn't wrapped. So the head of the axe is a lot more likely to get hit at too much of an angle causing it to bounce back at the user, if it doesn't then it at least could cause the user to angle the blade too much at impact causing a lot of wrist fatigue. The axe naturally moves some in the user's grip with every impact, if the handle is wrapped I have found you can't "feel" the handle move as well, so you can't make the small adjustments to your grip so the blade impacts at the safest angle. The wrap will cause a lot of unwanted twisting on impact and that will also affect the cutting efficiency of the strike. I prefer a big knife, but there not always the best tool for the job. And I want that book you mentioned. Good video, I enjoyed it.
The fiskies ax will be fine but i have seen a lot about eastwing and that might be a look at with fiskes and i like to see if a Ozark hatchet and that was from Wal-Mart to your chose of an axe that you pick and see what can do better.
I think that X7 is little bit a toy, you should try X11 is it the best axe. People broken them banging side of the axe like tent sticks. Use only back or sharp blade, no sides. From Finland also...
Just watched this and wondering what you used to wrap the handle with.
Lawrence DiVizio Isolation tape
What would really use the CRKT Tomahawk for in real life vs the undead? Good video Chris.
I believe it is classified as a rescue tool..so for prying, cutting, and breaking doors and walls, stuff like that.
Chris, whats your thoughts on the Estwing version of the camp axes
?? I know they were not part of your review but was thinking they are in the same size/price range..Great Video!
Great video thanks Chris. How about edge retention, let us know how it fares.
Have you got a link of qhat kind of finishing tape you use on your grips that you put over the ends of Wilson grip?
I only use Hal's a coil of Wilson's grip and chasing a Flexible tape like they give you, to finish another grip off?
thanks for the great review...buying one this weekend!!
The only difference in the two is the handle. The black one is supposed to have more of an anti slip handle on it
Great budget hatchet
Finnich made my friend! will not break even below -30celsius. ive used mine all year around here in finland now for 7-8years.its defenetly worth the the few bucks
The mention of meijers makes me assume you are somewhere here in the Midwest.
Do you know of places around here (I'm in Indiana) to be able to do bushcraft / camping? I assumed there were a ton of places but I did some research and it seems like most places don't allow chopping wood, or fires, or camping only at the designated places, which are like campground lots all together on a paved culdesac or something.
I want to be able to just park somewhere and start walking and be able to chop wood, start a fire, do some fishing, sleep wherever my hammock fits nicely, etc. I think the "Wilderness" zone in Hoosier National Forest is about the only place I've found, but it'd be nice to learn of others.
Do you have plans to test the Estwing 16 inch Camp Axe? Its about the same size as the others that you tested.
Estwing will serve you better.
The black one has design texture on The handle. Don't know if that's their way of giving you better grip.on the handle. That is the only difference I see in them besides different color scheme.
I'm pretty sure the difference between the 2 fiskars is the angle of the blade from the top of the handle to the tip of the blade.
The black bladed one is just a newer series one. Same exact axe, just a new styling. You can also get that with orange lower handle.
Great review Chris
have a fiskars x5... that is a nice small axe.
The Kangee doesn't chop well because of the head size - it's smaller and lighter than the X7 so it delivers less energy. The Kangee excels in hand to hand combat because it's light and more maneuverable.
So.. with those two Fiskers axes.. were they the same price?
Also.. I didn't hear any birds or noise.. what happened? lol
Thanks for the video
I check amazon in the uk and the x7 cost more so i got the black model instead
x7?? That makes me unhappy.
yeah but it does the same job well anyway
Was the cost the same for the two axes?
Hey Chris I just check my Axe it's a X7 too?
how come nobody mentions the gerber axe that looks just like the fiskars? do they still make them? I've had mine for like 8 years and I love it.
Fiskars was bought out by Gerber and then the name changed. Not sure if they're using fiskars name again because of brand recognition or what.
I thought there had to be some connection. my gerber is almost identical to the fiskars in the video.
blosom2315 Yeah, same product!
+ben nichols yeah you're right! not worth it now.
canadianbeech No actually it was Fiskars that bought Gerber.
I used the X7 for years till my bastard neighbor stole it on me. I liked it alot and it worked great. Now i have the scaxe2 and i'm in love. Not only does it work great but it's one sexy lookin hatchet too...
What do you think about the quality of the fiskars steel?
Jack Shields
There is nothing wrong with the steel, but they have a soft temper to make them easier to sharpen... at the cost of edge retention.
People find it hard to swallow that a $25 fiskars is one of the best hatchets out there, far better than $100 + hatchets! I wouldn't trade mine for anything, it's tough, lightweight, a chopping monster! As someone that goes tent camping year round, it's the only hatchet that's ever gonna be strapped to my pack!!
I the tactical Zambito and the last one you used.🇺🇸👍
u should get an Amazon link for the pipe hawk.
what is that black material on the handle ?
The Ax Book. Gonna write that down. Thanks.
the all black one is the newer model of the grey head orange handle one !
Actually, that's not the case. There's a video here from 2013 which incorrectly compares them thinking that they're new/old models when in fact it's just the "Hatchet" model vs the X7. Two different models. The 'hatchet' model does not replace the X7, and the X-series are all current models.
Put some wilson grip wrap on it
Where are you at that you have Meijers? Ohio? I am in Michigan ;)-
lol that's what I was thinking. I'm in Indiana.
Well, Home Depot sells the x7, Lowes sells the black handle version here in NJ. Usually Lowes sells stuff a little better than Home Depot but as you said there doesn’t seem to be much difference? Thanks for sharing.
you cant beat the fiskers, Its hard to believe the plastic handle and all, but hey, when I first bought the axe I didnt expect much... Man its my best axe, period. LIght, and you get used to the weight in the head and use it to your advantage. You can send wood flying when splitting.
Hey Chris, what would you recommend as a "zombie weapon" of sorts, for a tomahawk or a machete type tool?
The Condor Discord Machete, of course! Processing the video now.
Go with a blunt weapon like a crowbar over an edged weapon. After each strike the edge will dull. It will take time, tools and resources to sharpen it. With a blunt weapon like a crowbar it doesn't matter if you've taken one swing or 50 it will function the same, and you never have to worry about the handle breaking or the head separating from the handle (like you may on most axes or hammers).
cheapest i can find the pipe hawk for is about 40. on the f7 its about 28-30. I like the pipe hawk more but 10-15 bucks is something to think about
Usually about $33-$35 on Amazon Prime. Don't see it right now, they usually have them. Happens sometimes after I post a video. Check fleabay too. Was using both this weekend and the cut down Pipe Hawk is still my favorite.
PREPAREDMIND101 ya im liking the pipe hawk a lot too. Need to mod mine more though, sounds like its way better modded out.
So many companies make great axes with rubbish sheaths. As with all cutting tools a sheath is half the tool. Its a damn chore to make a good one and its often more expensive than the tool itself to buy a custom one.
With the X7 you either get some flimsy plastic crap or a huge plastic block depending on which model you buy. It's a brilliant axe for a light pack because of its weight to performace ratio and price and unlike many other axes this size it splits AND chops well. Sadly the horrible sheaths prevented me from using it for a long time.
Dead Tree Of Death getting a workout brother! Thanks for sharing.
Respect from Finland! Thanks for sharing and buying.
Was there ever an update on the X7?
CRKT Kangee T-Hawk ER Tomahawk with Axe Edge ....wow so expensive >?
The difference is the Black one is a cutting edge and the Orange one more suited to Splitting
WHERE did you get an embalmed log??? :)
The X 10th or X 11 is more of am adult size Axe aka the Gerber camping Axe that's made by fishers it's 14 inches long and more comparable to the Shrade u demoed
Hey, what kind of tape did you use for the handle?
Jean Dupla Isolation tape
Meijer!!! Where the heck do you live? Don't tell me mid-Michigan, because that would call for a weekend roughin' challenge sir!
He lives in central ohio
You have to really check the fine print on this stuff nowadays. Many say "Designed in Finland" or "Swedish Engineered" etc. Upon further inspection they're MADE in China, Taiwan, etc. Sad.
Not surprised. They should just say it how the Biolite Stove people say it. "Manufactured in Asia" LOL.
find a hardness gauge and verify the hardness of the metal
Great review but next time can you show us a splitting test.
Picked up the blacked out fiskars hatchet for 18 bucks over at sears
Now just to wrap that handle and take it out to chop
The Fiskars x7 is far superior at chopping and wood processing than any tomahawk ! I have vids on my channel demonstrating the performance of the x7 its not the hatchet fault its the users lack of skill with the tool that makes it seem less effective than what it is ! Any fiskars axe is the best bang for the buck period !
OR....Maybe it's the users lack of skill with the tomahawk that makes it seem less effective? It's not the tomahawks fault. See how that works? Use whatever tool you are most comfortable with.
OR.... There all considered axes or hatchets if you have skill with one you'll have skill with the others that's when the weight of the tool comes in to play !The bigger and heavier the axe the more work it can do ! Just like knives are you gonna chop with a machete and compare to a paring knife !? NO you can't ! Again its not the tools fault its the users & and the one tool will do it all talk ! A tomahawk can never chop better than a hatchet because for the most part tomahawks are way lighter !
Hi Mate, I am a new subscriber from London
If you keep the type of edge that it comes with from factory it would do a bit better.
Fiskars all day , wooden shafts may break \m/
Thank you for honest review. I followed your amazon link and bought this tool after watching it.
Have the one with more orange just a little bigger