8 ms·

I'm Finn, coming from the land of Fiskars and axes. And I have to disagree with Fiskars. The axes are very good for chopping wood, but that's it. If you are ser

by vlehto 10y ago

I'm Finn, coming from the land of Fiskars and axes. And I have to disagree with Fiskars. The axes are very good for chopping wood, but that's it. If you are serious backpacker, craftsman, carpenter etc, you wan't to use your axe in different ways too. The biggest "chopping" axe from fiskars is too short for building a fire that would keep you warm for the whole night. All of their "splitting" models have unnecessarily heavy head which you don't want to haul while backpacking. And the vedge thing in splitting models mean that it's very tricky to sharpen poles that you could strike to ground for a tent. And you can't use the axe as a hammer or you lose that sweet 25 year guarantee. And you can't swap the handle of a chopping axe for a longer one. It's very good tool for one spesific job. There are axes that are good for range of jobs.

bungle 10y ago
I agree. Fiskars' axes are mainly for chopping and tree pruning. But that is also probably one of the most common things to do with axe. Their middle size models are probably the best in my opinion. I wouldn't of course use Fiskars' axe for carving and stuff like that. It doesn't work at all, but for say carving, you need a special purpose axe anyway.
detaro 10y ago
So what is a good universal outdoors axe?
- glasz 10y ago
  the favorite axe in my collection has a simple, old head and a wooden handle. i put it together myself.
reitanqild 10y ago
And I have to disagree with Fiskars. The axes are very good for chopping wood, but that's it. If you are serious backpacker, craftsman, carpenter etc, you wan't to use your axe in different ways too. Well, never had a problem with the ones in our family. And IMO the fact that unlike everyother axe I know it just won't break and leave you without an axe in the middle has to count for something too.
glasz 10y ago
local "pros" tell me that stihl has been good or that the more expensive models are still good. but many are said to migrate to husqvarna. i personally don't like all the plastic parts on newer stihl's. like "easy-to-use" cover holders which previously where solid screws.
- bungle 10y ago
  There have also been new (mostly stupid) legislation, at least in EU that has forced Stihl and others to make worse products (cutting down emissions, and at the same time power). I only recommend Stihl Professional series (with metal bodies). Husqvarna's are usually equally good (it is mostly that Stihl has the best model in some class, while Husqvarna has a better model in some other class). Partner Chainsaws were also pretty respected, but Husqvarna bought them. New Stihls may feel a bit plastic, but in practice they do their job pretty nicely. What comes to power tools, Hilti is the one to look at, although I did go with Bosch power tools (Bosch is pretty average in every sense, but also trustworthy). It is easier to buy Bosch (Blue Series) than Hiltis. I also do like the stackable Sortimo L-BOXXes that Bosch uses these days: http://www.sortimo.com/products/cases-boxxes/ http://www.sortimo.com/products/cases-boxxes/.
  - reitanqild 10y ago
    Hilti T605 or something. Oh those memories. Best job I ever had until then :-) Noisy, boring but well-paid and the first time I worked for a company that enforced safety regulations. Oh, and they paid extremely well compared to what I was used to.
  - glasz 10y ago
    thx for the info! speaking of bosch: i will recommend https://www.festool.com https://www.festool.com over anything else. they also offer sortimo-like boxes.
speby 10y ago
I agree ... a "Splitting Axe" like those from Fiskars are probably not best (well-designed) for uses outside splitting wood. I agree with the OP, though, that Fiskars' axes are fabulous when it comes to splitting wood over your average Home Depot special.

by vlehto 10y ago

bungle 10y ago

I agree. Fiskars' axes are mainly for chopping and tree pruning. But that is also probably one of the most common things to do with axe. Their middle size models are probably the best in my opinion. I wouldn't of course use Fiskars' axe for carving and stuff like that. It doesn't work at all, but for say carving, you need a special purpose axe anyway.

detaro 10y ago

So what is a good universal outdoors axe?

glasz 10y ago
the favorite axe in my collection has a simple, old head and a wooden handle. i put it together myself.

reitanqild 10y ago

And I have to disagree with Fiskars. The axes are very good for chopping wood, but that's it. If you are serious backpacker, craftsman, carpenter etc, you wan't to use your axe in different ways too. Well, never had a problem with the ones in our family. And IMO the fact that unlike everyother axe I know it just won't break and leave you without an axe in the middle has to count for something too.

glasz 10y ago

local "pros" tell me that stihl has been good or that the more expensive models are still good. but many are said to migrate to husqvarna. i personally don't like all the plastic parts on newer stihl's. like "easy-to-use" cover holders which previously where solid screws.

bungle 10y ago
There have also been new (mostly stupid) legislation, at least in EU that has forced Stihl and others to make worse products (cutting down emissions, and at the same time power). I only recommend Stihl Professional series (with metal bodies). Husqvarna's are usually equally good (it is mostly that Stihl has the best model in some class, while Husqvarna has a better model in some other class). Partner Chainsaws were also pretty respected, but Husqvarna bought them. New Stihls may feel a bit plastic, but in practice they do their job pretty nicely. What comes to power tools, Hilti is the one to look at, although I did go with Bosch power tools (Bosch is pretty average in every sense, but also trustworthy). It is easier to buy Bosch (Blue Series) than Hiltis. I also do like the stackable Sortimo L-BOXXes that Bosch uses these days: http://www.sortimo.com/products/cases-boxxes/ http://www.sortimo.com/products/cases-boxxes/.
- reitanqild 10y ago
  Hilti T605 or something. Oh those memories. Best job I ever had until then :-) Noisy, boring but well-paid and the first time I worked for a company that enforced safety regulations. Oh, and they paid extremely well compared to what I was used to.
- glasz 10y ago
  thx for the info! speaking of bosch: i will recommend https://www.festool.com https://www.festool.com over anything else. they also offer sortimo-like boxes.

speby 10y ago

I agree ... a "Splitting Axe" like those from Fiskars are probably not best (well-designed) for uses outside splitting wood. I agree with the OP, though, that Fiskars' axes are fabulous when it comes to splitting wood over your average Home Depot special.