Fiskars X-series™ X25 Splitting Axe with Forged Steel Blade with 28" Shock-Absorbing Handle - for Medium to Large Size Logs - Lawn and Garden Tools - Black/Orange

Excelente hacha, ligera, compacta y sólida a la vez.

Prior to this purchase, I hadn't split much wood in a couple decades. But I grew up splitting and burning wood regularly, so I know my way around a chopping block. One thing I learned is that accuracy beats power almost every time. I am used to splitting wood with mauls, and typically used axes just for limbing or felling, so I was a little skeptical of a splitting axe. I was considering the Fiskars isocore maul, the X27, and this axe. I decided to try this X25 because I wanted the accuracy some people praised, I wasn't sure the extra power from the greater length of the X27 would matter in the real world, and I thought I could always get the maul later if I needed it.Wow, I am totally a convert! This splitting axe splits amazingly. The lighter weight naturally swings much faster creating a lot of energy (remember KE=1/2mv^2). The blade shape is great. The weight is very forward in this blade as opposed to far back in a maul, and this feels great transferring all that energy into the wood. Despite being less in shape, this axe was also less tiring than I expected. I blasted through a pile of pear and black locust wood in a little over an hour and I could have done more easily. This axe feels great to use, and I like the length (I'm 5'7") even though it's shorter than I'm used to. I love the accuracy. Being able to put all that energy exactly where I want it makes the splitting seem so easy. It was very effective on many of the pieces that originally had me thinking about buying the isocore maul, including big knotty logs, big branch crutches, and stump wood. I split things that I did not expect to be able to.Drawbacks: the handle is nice, but can't compare to the feel and shock absorbing ability of a good wood handle. The low fiction coating is wearing off already after only 1+ hour of serious splitting. Still works fine anyway, but I consider this coating more of a gimmick, just to make a good first impression.Overall, I'm delighted with this purchase and I highly recommend this axe to anyone considering it.

best little maul that I have ever used.I have two other mauls a 6 lbs. and a 8 lbs. with fiber glass handles I was a hardcore 8 pound axe swinging john henry out in the woods so i thought this little Fiskars 4 1/2 pounder with an itty bitty handle made me doubtful it could handle the big stuff at first. Little did I know it chops wood like a possessed wood chuck. Some reviewers said the handle was too short thats not the case I'm 6'2 and I think its more ideal than the longer handled mauls being that it's faster, lighter and more maneuverable in tight areas and you don't feel worn out after a long day in the woods. In my opinion this little Fiskars works equal or better than the heavier mauls without having to swing all that extra weight. I used it on a 15" diameter weeping willow that the Road Crew was good enough to oblige us with after all the blood, sweat and tears of planting and trimming this little dandy year after year until they had to widen the road all in the name of progress that was the end of our beloved willow as we knew it, it may warm our hearts one last time. Also used it on some big 24" diameter oak that had just died of oak wilt the Fiskars kept going where the other mauls left off. if you can't see over your neck i don't recommend this axe to you. but if you're like the rest of us you'll find it's the best maul you've ever used. the Fiskars maul has an extremely sharp machined head compared to most other mauls but yet it doesn't get stuck in the wood. this is coming from some good ol' boys that have to cut 10-15 full cords to keep warm through the winter. my always skeptical bro with impeccable taste came around after using said maul and finally admitted that it was a superior tool to his old reliable 6 pounder. I also recommend the Fiskars axe/knife sharpener keeps your mauls & knives nice and sharp. did i forget to mention they all come with a life time warrantee.Update 3/23/2012 got the new 3ft. X27 from fiskars after using my brothers that he got after using my fiskars x25 28'' lol they didn't have the 3ft x27 out when I bought mine I was sold as soon as I used the x27 it weights less than my old x25 and still splits better. The end of the handle feels softer and gives you better grip as well as less felt vibration all the new axes from fiskars come with the better handles also the blade design is more sleek compared to there older style. All an all x25 is good but x27 is better if your over 5' 6" tall go with 3 footer at 6`2'' I liked the x25 but the x 27 takes the cake for me. Just bought a 3rd one as after my neighbor seeing ours he had to have one to so I got him one and after my brother showed the guys at work his x27 two of them will be buying the x27 so there you go fiskars sold 5 x27's I never thought that when I bought the little x25 two years ago it would start a chain reaction.