I need a new splitting axe.....

[SKIN052]

I busted my first one in less than a week. Took it back and did not have the receipt so they told me tough luck. It was a Canadian tire 6lb Fiberglass maul, garbage axe. Did not like it from day one. Glad it broke and even happier when the wife found the receipt today

Tempted to get a Fiskers but I am little skeptical. I am splitting allot of stringy spruce that wont split on the first swing and I use my Lineman's 3lb maul to drive it home until it splits. I am worried that the light weight Fiskars wont hold up to me smacking at it.

Any thoughts?

 

[savageactor7]

The only knock you'll ever here about a Fiskers is that the handle isn't long enough. But everyone posts favorably about it.

 

[Steve Foss]

I'm not tall, so the 28-inch handle is just right for me. The design of the head of the Fiskars SS, and the way it balances, allow me to get a better split than I get with a traditional 8-lb splitting maul. You don't get a full split the first time every time, but it's the best splitting ax I've used over the 30 years I've been splitting.

 

[fossil]

I like my Fiskars tools, but I would never beat on them like a wedge, like you're talking about. Not because the steel wouldn't withstand it, but because that's not the way they're designed to be used, and I don't want to misuse/damage them. Rick

 

[Dune]

I doubt you would need to pound on the end of the Fiskers axe anyhow, if you use it properly.

 

[CTburning]

I've used a craftsman axe for my first couple of years of splitting and I thought I had gotten pretty good with it. I have a lot of twisted knotty Red Oak that can be a real pain to split. When the head got stuck and it did more times than not, I hit it with a sledge and then wedges. The shape of the Friskars just slips into the grain and pops the wood apart with much less effort. I don't beat on it like I did with the craftsman. I've only got it stuck once or twice and that is when I use the guaranteed for life axe (which I have broken at least once a year every year it has been used) and the sledge/wedges to finish the job. My hands thank me every time I use the Friskars.

 

[fossil]

If you look at the back of the head on any of the Fiskars axes/hatchets, you'll see that they're not ground flat as you'd expect to see on a tool that's made for striking...either as striker or strikee. I will never go smacking the fanny on any of my Fiskars with any other tool. Rick

 

[Sisu]

The Fiskars is a great tool. Unfortunately, being in Canada, you will only find the Pro Splitter (2-1/4lb head) for sale. The Super Splitter (4lb head) is not currently sold in Canada. You will have to buy one from the US.

I was able to get both and the Pro is great for most splitting applications, but the Super has the extra weight for the harder to split stuff. I think the manual stated that the Pro is not meant for hitting wedges, but the Super can be used as such.

 

[SKIN052]

The Fiskars is a great tool. Unfortunately, being in Canada, you will only find the Pro Splitter (2-1/4lb head) for sale. The Super Splitter (4lb head) is not currently sold in Canada. You will have to buy one from the US.

I was able to get both and the Pro is great for most splitting applications, but the Super has the extra weight for the harder to split stuff. I think the manual stated that the Pro is not meant for hitting wedges, but the Super can be used as such.

Not sure if it's worth picking up the pro splitter, 2 1/4lbs is rather light.

 

[oldspark]

Overall I think the Fiskars is a great tool, I have both the pro and SS and they both do a fine job and split about 90 % of what I split.

 

[Sisu]

The Fiskars is a great tool. Unfortunately, being in Canada, you will only find the Pro Splitter (2-1/4lb head) for sale. The Super Splitter (4lb head) is not currently sold in Canada. You will have to buy one from the US.

I was able to get both and the Pro is great for most splitting applications, but the Super has the extra weight for the harder to split stuff. I think the manual stated that the Pro is not meant for hitting wedges, but the Super can be used as such.

Not sure if it's worth picking up the pro splitter, 2 1/4lbs is rather light.

To be honest that is exactly what I thought too. I cut and split 5-6 bush cords a year and was using a 6 lbs maul. After reading all the rave reviews, I finally picked up the Pro from Canadian Tire during the sale. I was pretty amazed at it's performance. It did all the work the maul did, plus I could swing it all day without getting tired.

The design of it works without the weight. The quality of the materials are top notch. It turned my traditional thinking on it's head (ie. the heavier the better).

Pick up the Pro during the next "Canuck Buck" sale. You should be pleasantly surprised.

 

[kenny chaos]

Fiskars, sounds like a cat food for people with alternative lifestyles.
"All my kitties get Fiskars."

Here's a manly tool;
(broken link removed to http://www.husqvarna.com/ca/en/homeowner/accessories/tools/forest-tools/splitting-axe/)

 

[Sisu]

Fiskars, sounds like a cat food for people with alternative lifestyles.
"All my kitties get Fiskars."

Here's a manly tool;
(broken link removed to http://www.husqvarna.com/ca/en/homeowner/accessories/tools/forest-tools/splitting-axe/)

That will put hair on your chest and rip it right back off! I think they are made by Wetterlings. One can never have too many axes.

Just a disclaimer: Do not feed a Fiskars to your cat!!

 

[SKIN052]

The Fiskars is a great tool. Unfortunately, being in Canada, you will only find the Pro Splitter (2-1/4lb head) for sale. The Super Splitter (4lb head) is not currently sold in Canada. You will have to buy one from the US.

I was able to get both and the Pro is great for most splitting applications, but the Super has the extra weight for the harder to split stuff. I think the manual stated that the Pro is not meant for hitting wedges, but the Super can be used as such.

Not sure if it's worth picking up the pro splitter, 2 1/4lbs is rather light.

To be honest that is exactly what I thought too. I cut and split 5-6 bush cords a year and was using a 6 lbs maul. After reading all the rave reviews, I finally picked up the Pro from Canadian Tire during the sale. I was pretty amazed at it's performance. It did all the work the maul did, plus I could swing it all day without getting tired.

The design of it works without the weight. The quality of the materials are top notch. It turned my traditional thinking on it's head (ie. the heavier the better).

Pick up the Pro during the next "Canuck Buck" sale. You should be pleasantly surprised.

Just went to Canadian Tire and had the Pro Splitter in my hand but I could not convince myself that it would do the trick. Even had a random guy come up to me and say, "I don't think you will do much splitting with that" He suggested I but the one that I just broke, until I told him it was only a plastic coated Fibergalss handle that I broke in two weeks.

That's it, I am pick up the Pro Splitter and testing it tonight. Maybe pick up a seperate wedge for smacking with my hammer.

 

[Danno77]

how did you break a fiberglass splitter?

 

[oldspark]

Too bad you can't pick up the SS as the Pro is a little small IMHO as I have both.

 

[800camp]

Is the Fiskars SS available via retail (Sears?) do you have to order it from them or other on-line sources? I know Home Depot and Lowes do not sell them.

 

[oldspark]

Is the Fiskars SS available via retail (Sears?) do you have to order it from them or other on-line sources? I know Home Depot and Lowes do not sell them.

I hope this is OK!
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004SD7B?tag=.twg-20

 

[SKIN052]

Well the deal is done and the verdict on the Pro Splitter is................WOW. Very impressed. I would have liked a little more weight but it splits better than that 6 pound ever did. Heck I was splitting rounds on the pile. The best thing about is the ease on my body. I am a young pup by most standards but 19 years in the Army as a Lineman will take it's tole on your back. Thanks for the advice guys. Maybe I will pick up the SS someday. Let's see how this one holds up. Can I sharpen it like any other axe?

 

[Sisu]

You can sharpen it like any other axe. I keep mine all shaving sharp. I can use the Pro to limb a tree and then split the rounds. Just treat it with respect like you would any sharp tool.

 

[Steve Foss]

Well the deal is done and the verdict on the Pro Splitter is................WOW. Very impressed. I would have liked a little more weight but it splits better than that 6 pound ever did. Heck I was splitting rounds on the pile. The best thing about is the ease on my body. I am a young pup by most standards but 19 years in the Army as a Lineman will take it's tole on your back. Thanks for the advice guys. Maybe I will pick up the SS someday. Let's see how this one holds up. Can I sharpen it like any other axe?

I used them both before I bought, and ended up buying the SS. It swings like a much lighter ax than it is and packs more punch than the Pro. If I have an ax I picked up used and it's a disaster, I start it on the fine grinding wheel and finish up with a flat hand file with the ax in a vise. A new ax I just go right for the hand file.

 

[gibson]

I think I have the Fiskars "Pro" splitter. My father in law and I were splitting a cord and a 1/2 of oak and maple. I went at it with the Fiskars and he looked at me as if I was trying to put out a house fire with a bucket of water. After about 10 minutes and fully sweating through my workshirt, I realized he was right. Took one of his 8# mauls and started making toothpicks. Would the super splitter be better? Maybe, but I am getting a 6or 8# maul.

 

[Sisu]

Well the deal is done and the verdict on the Pro Splitter is................WOW. Very impressed. I would have liked a little more weight but it splits better than that 6 pound ever did. Heck I was splitting rounds on the pile. The best thing about is the ease on my body. I am a young pup by most standards but 19 years in the Army as a Lineman will take it's tole on your back. Thanks for the advice guys. Maybe I will pick up the SS someday. Let's see how this one holds up. Can I sharpen it like any other axe?

I used them both before I bought, and ended up buying the SS. It swings like a much lighter ax than it is and packs more punch than the Pro. If I have an ax I picked up used and it's a disaster, I start it on the fine grinding wheel and finish up with a flat hand file with the ax in a vise. A new ax I just go right for the hand file.

I don't use a grinding wheel or a file on my Fiskars. The grinding wheel can get an edge too hot and soften the steel. The file is too coarse. I use an oil stone or whetstone. The edge is already formed as is, so just follow the angle with a good sharpening stone and you will be able to shave with it.