Fiskars is one of the most popular manufacturers of axes, but it can be difficult to tell the difference between their product range. I have used their axes for most of the last decade and have put together this comparison guide to help you find the axe that suits your needs.
Fiskars make dozens of different models, all with very similar names. They even look the same with their composite handle material and orange styling. Understandably this confuses many people, so I have broken down the different products into their key specifications and for what job they are best suited.
I have owned most Fiskars products over the years, and have used them extensively. I have judged each axe based on its performance, durability, and value-for-money.
Table of Contents
Fiskars Axe Range
If you don’t want to go through the entire article, then check out this quick summary comparison table of Fiskar’s most popular axes:
| Fiskars Axe | Length | Weight | Best Suited For |
| X5 | 9.5 inch | 1.3 lb | Backpacking |
| X7 | 14 inch | 1.4 lb | Chopping Kindling |
| X10 | 17 inch | 1.7 lb | Versatile Camping Hatchet |
| X11 | 17 inch | 1.8 lb | Splitting Small 8″ Logs |
| X15 | 23.5 inch | 2.3 lb | Felling Medium 8-12″ Trees |
| X17 | 23.5 inch | 2.4 lb | Splitting Medium 8-12″ Logs |
| X21 | 28 inch | 3.3 lb | Splitting Large 12″ Logs |
| X25 | 28 inch | 4.0 lb | Splitting Large 12-24″ Logs |
| X27 | 36 inch | 4.0 lb | Splitting Extra-Large 24″+ Logs |
1. Fiskars X5 Hatchet
The Fiskars X5 is what I would recommend for anyone looking to go backpacking. It is the shorter axe at only 9.5 inches long and comes at 1.3 lb. This is only 0.1 lb less than the X7, but I find its shorter length ideal when traveling long distances and weight matters.
The shorter handle length does make it more challenging to use as I couldn’t get much leverage. All of the power needs to be supplied through your swing. This axe isn’t suited for anything more than cutting kindling. I wouldn’t suggest you could do any significant splitting or felling.
This axe is only large enough to be used one-handed but still has a full-size axehead.
- Best Suited For: Backpacking
- Length: 9.5 inch
- Weight: 1.3 lb
Pros
- The Fiskars X5, with its short 9.5-inch length and light 1.3 lb weight, is designed for easy transportation over long distances and is ideal for backpacking.
- Despite its smaller overall size, the axe still features a full-size axehead, offering effective cutting power.
Cons
- The shorter handle length makes it more difficult to use, as it limited my leverage and required more power to be supplied through my swing.
- The axe is not suited for anything more than cutting kindling.
2. Fiskars X7 Hatchet
The X7 is one of Fiskar’s most popular models. It is my go-to hatchet because of its heavy-duty composite handle and lightweight design. It is almost unbreakable – not entirely – but unless you drive your truck over it, it can handle most homeowner and camping tasks. I use it primarily for chopping kindling, but it can also limb small limbs and even fell small trees. I find it comfortable to be used one-handed.
This is a very affordable hatchet with a great design. You will never need to replace the handle or feel the axehead come loose. The X7 is a no-maintenance axe that you can buy and forget.
- Best Suited For: Chopping Kindling
- Length: 14 inch
- Weight: 1.4 lb
Pros
- The X7 features a heavy-duty composite handle and a near-unbreakable design. With no ability to replace the handle or tighten the axehead, it’s a no-maintenance tool.
- Despite its lightweight design, the axe is versatile enough for various tasks, from chopping kindling to limbing small branches and felling small trees.
- It’s a budget-friendly option that I found comfortable to use one-handed.
Cons
- While it can handle several tasks, the X7 isn’t suitable for heavy-duty chopping or splitting due to its size and weight.
- While durable, the composite handle doesn’t offer the same feel or aesthetic appeal as traditional wooden handles.
3. Fiskars X10 Small Chopping Axe
Compared to the spitting axes, the X10 chopping axe has a much thinner wedge axehead. This is to help the axe penetrate into the wood and is better suited for felling small trees and cutting kindling. The X10 is a very versatile camping axe, and I would put it into the bushcraft axe bucket.
This is ideal as a camping axe for splitting kindling, carving, limbing smaller branches, and other lightweight tasks.
The Fiskars X10 is also identical to the Gerber Freescape hatchet, just with different branding and color. The Gerber is often much more accessible in the US than the X10 model.
- Best Suited For: Versatile Camping Hatchet
- Length: 17 inch
- Weight: 1.7 lb
Pros
- The Fiskars X10 chopping axe is well-suited for various tasks such as felling small trees, cutting kindling, carving, and limbing smaller branches.
- The design of the axehead allows for efficient penetration into wood, enhancing its cutting performance.
- It’s identical to the Gerber Freescape hatchet, providing an alternative option for purchase in the US.
Cons
- While versatile, this axe is unsuitable for heavy-duty chopping or splitting due to its design and weight.
4. Fiskars X11 Small Splitting Axe
The X11 is the first of Fiskar’s many splitting axes. All of the splitting axes have a thicker axe head with wider cheeks. This is to help the axe split apart the wood fibers, making it better suited for splitting logs into firewood. All of the splitting axes share this design feature. The shape of the axehead is the only difference between the X10 and X11 axes.
I find the X11 too small for anything other than splitting logs of around 8 inches in diameter that you can split one-handed. I prefer a larger splitting axe and a separate hatchet rather than an intermediate-sized axe like the X11.
- Best Suited For: Splitting Small 8″ Logs
- Length: 17 inch
- Weight: 1.8 lb
Pros
- The Fiskars X11 features a thicker axe head with wider cheeks, specifically designed to help split wood fibers.
- Its size and weight make it easy to handle, especially for splitting smaller logs that can be handled one-handed.
Cons
- I consider the X11 to be too small for tasks beyond splitting logs of around 8 inches in diameter.
5. Fiskars X15 Chopping Axe
The X15 is a much more versatile axe – it is large enough to start felling some serious-sized trees while being light enough for easy transport and storage. I would skip the X11 and go straight to the X15 or X17. The X15 does have thinner cheeks so that it can penetrate wood deeper. If you are trying to decide between the X15 or the X17, I would suggest picking the X17 if you are exclusively using it for splitting and the X15 if you want more versatility.
This is the first axe we have seen that can be used two-handed, so you can generate significantly more power and cut through larger diameter logs. This is ideal for homeowners but is getting too heavy for camping or backpacking.
- Best Suited For: Felling Medium 8-12″ Trees
- Length: 23.5 inches
- Weight: 2.3 lb
Pros
- The Fiskars X15 is a versatile axe suitable for felling medium-sized trees, and its two-handed use allows for generating more power for cutting through larger diameter logs.
- Despite its size and power, the X15 remains light enough for easy transport and storage, making it a practical choice for homeowners.
Cons
- Due to its weight and size, the X15 isn’t the best option for backpacking where I prefer lighter tools under 2 lb.
- If you’re looking for an axe specifically for splitting, the X17 is a better choice.
6. Fiskars X17 Medium Splitting Axe
The X17 is the same size as the X15 but comes with the splitting axehead design better suited for forcing wood fibers apart. This will be more useful if you have a lot of firewood to prepare and stack. I feel it is less helpful when felling because the thick cheeks tend to get stuck in the truck, and removing it takes more effort before the next strike.
This is a two-handed axe, and you can generate much power to start splitting larger logs, even up to 12 inches in diameter.
- Best Suited For: Splitting Medium 8-12″ Logs
- Length: 23.5 inch
- Weight: 2.4 lb
Pros
- The Fiskars X17 has a splitting axehead design, which I found ideal for chopping larger firewood.
- The X17 is designed for two-handed use, allowing me to generate significant power for splitting larger logs up to 12 inches in diameter.
Cons
- The thick cheeks of the X17 can get stuck in the trunk when felling, requiring extra effort to remove before the next strike.
- Weighing 2.4 lb, it is too heavy for tasks requiring mobility.
7. Fiskars X21 Large Splitting Axe
The following few splitting axes get heavier and longer. This means that you can apply more and more power and split larger and larger logs. The X21 is 28 inches long and can easily split logs around 12 inches in diameter. The length can be more challenging to store in an ATV and is out of the question for backpacking or camping – it just takes up too much room, and you generally don’t need to split enough firewood to be worth the effort.
This is an ideal splitting axe for youth who can’t handle the weight of the larger axes coming up.
- Best Suited For: Splitting Large 12″ Logs
- Length: 28 inches
- Weight: 3.3 lb
Pros
- The Fiskars X21’s length and weight allow more power to be applied, making it excel at splitting larger logs around 12 inches in diameter.
- Its weight and design make it an ideal splitting axe for younger people who may struggle with heavier axes.
Cons
- Due to its size, the X21 is challenging to store in an ATV and unsuitable for backpacking or camping.
8. Fiskars X25 Extra-Large Splitting Axe
The main difference between the X25 and the X27 is the length of the handle – they both have the same sized axehead. This is a serious splitting axe and can chop through most logs you will encounter. This is my favorite splitting axe in the range. The length and weight is well balanced without being overboard. I prefer this to the Super-Splitter size and prefer to use it, even if it means an extra swing or two to split the larger logs.
- Best Suited For: Splitting Large 12-24″ Logs
- Length: 28 inches
- Weight: 4.0 lb
Pros
- The Fiskars X25 is a powerful splitting axe capable of chopping through most logs.
- The length and weight of the X25 are well-balanced, which I found comfortable to use even when dealing with larger logs.
Cons
- Despite its ability to handle large logs, it might require an extra swing or two when splitting larger logs compared to full-size axes.
9. Fiskars X27 Super Splitting Axe
The X27 is the largest splitting axe in the Fiskars range. I would only recommend the X27 if you are particularly tall or have 24 inches in diameter or larger logs. I think the X27 is too long at 36 inches for most people. You may lose some accuracy and have difficulty applying the full power into the wood.
- Best Suited For: Splitting Extra-Large 24″+ Logs
- Length: 36 inches
- Weight: 4.0 lb
Pros
- This is a powerful full-size splitting axe that had no problem chopping through even the largest hardwood rounds.
- The wide cheeks force wood fibers apart and prevent the axehead from getting stuck.
Cons
- This long and heavy axe may be too difficult for people with a smaller frame to swing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Difference between Fiskars X-Series and A-Series?
Fiskars X-Series are identical to the A-series in everything except the color. They have the same features and construction materials, except that the X-series are orange and the A-series are black and lack a rubber coating on the handle.
Where are Fiskars axes manufactured?
Fiskars axes are all produced in Sorsakoski, Finland. They have become some of the most popular axes due to their lightweight and durable composite one-piece design, making them almost unbreakable. They are also affordable and perform well with a friction-reducing coating on the axehead.
Conclusion
Fiskars manufactures some of the most popular axes and cutting tools in the United States, but finding the model that suits your needs can be challenging. I hope this article has helped you pick the best axe from Fiskar’s wide range.
