Fiskars28" Chopping Axe, Ultra-Sharp Blade for Kindling with Ease, Weight Balanced, Garden and Outdoor Gear, 3.5 pounds, Black

I also have the Fiskars X25 splitting axe and while I've read that the longer handle is best for taller folks I gotta say that the X25 feels more less comfortable and like it would be easier to short swing. Of the two I prefer the longer handle and I am 5'10". I love both of my Fiskers axes. Just bought the X7 hatchet and it is excellent as well.Updated: I've now been using the X27 for almost 5 years. Like some other guys under 6' 3", I prefer using the longer handled X27 to the X25 - I get more leverage and I think that it is safer - I stand farther away from the round so a miss or glancing blow will not go into my foot or leg but into the ground (that said I still wear steel toed boots when splitting wood).This axe has just been a solid performer for me for splitting wood. Maintenance is easy - a good file works fine an is pretty quick, the edge stays sharp a good while. The handle provides a very good griping surface even when wet.This axe design and materials have given me a far better ratio of swings to splits than axes I have used in the past decades.About a year ago I added the Fiskars 8 lb 36" handle maul to my inventory and am very glad that I did. Yeah it isn't cheap - but what really excellent tool is - you get what you pay for when it comes to tools - doesn't take many handle replacements to make up the price difference. Yes, the X27 axe is great on a lot of wood rounds but come on, use the proper tool for the proper use and you'll find it worthwhile.Bottom line is that I go with Fiskars and not just because I am an Alaskan Finn. Finns won't abide shoddy tools.I hope that Fiskars keep a close eye on quality assurance and control and maintain the high quality of their tools .

Sharp, Impressive, lite weight, Reliable, makes the job go quick and easy. Paul Bunyan, would have been proud to own one of these and Conan would have a tough time to decide to use his sword or this axe. I would have to agree! Don't waste your money on the others.

Hated to buy this. I do not have a fireplace. I am not a logger. I will be 66 years old in May...already have an axe, a couple of hatchets, chainsaw...stuff that you need if you live in a rural area. No log-splitter, never needed one. But I made a small-to-medium fire pit in my back yard...just to sit around and relax with friends. Have been buying "bundles" of wood from Lowe's to build the occasional fire. My neighbor had a tree on his property that he needed cut down. Told me that he noticed that I built a fire every so often, and asked me if I wanted some of the wood. Told him I did, and a few days later, he dumped a load of wood in my back yard! It was all cut to a good length...about 18-22 inches long...but needed to be "busted" up. Wood cures and burns better if it is split...more surface area. Tried splitting it with a regular axe...just didn't "cut" it! (Sorry about the pun.) Did not need to buy a log splitter for a relatively small pile of wood...but the axe was working me to death. Sledge hammer and wedge sounded too much like work. So...after looking everywhere, at other options, I picked this. I am glad. Got it today...went outside, got my distance right...bam! One swing, split! All the way to the ground! Next log, one swing, split! Again, all the way to the ground. These are not huge logs...10-12-14 inches in diameter. 18-22 inches long. But they split like kindling! My regular axe would just bury up and stick. Usually takes 3-4-5 swings with my axe. This thing is great. Comes ready to use. Not razor sharp...not supposed to be. It is not made for chopping...it is made for splitting, and it is plenty sharp for that. Can't rate it for durability...have only used it for one day...but I made a couple of over-strikes, and the handle shows no damage. Would buy again if I needed one. Highly recommend.

After using a chain saw to remove all the limbs of an out of control backyard weed/tree, I easily took the stumps apart with this lightweight, very sharp axe. I felt less vibration with each strike as the handle is not solid wood or metal. After 30min of use, I was not as worn out as I have been with solid wood handle axes.

This is much easier to use and control than a splitting maul, and does a great job. It does not wear you out as fast as a maul either. Great of splitting straight grain rounds in 1 blow. Quicker than a hydraulic splitter for the straight grain stuff.If I could do it again, I would just spend the extra few dollars for the x27. On this one, I had a hard overstrike without gloves and the shock was painful. Gloves, and better aim, cured that though. I understand the X27 rubber coating may help with that.

Fiskars is just the best. I have had there splitter forever and now pleased with their chopping ax. You can't go wrong with Fiskars.

As plenty of the other reviews had mentioned this thing is amazing. I split up a couple face cord of oak and was truly amazed how well it works. I prefer this style handle over the rubberized one (which my splitting Maul/8lb has). The rubber is great for warmer weather but once below freezing and you get some snow on the leather gloves it's slippery. No issues with chipping as others mention. I do wonder if what other's are experiencing is just slight dulling. This thing is kitchen knife sharp and if you split oak all day and bash it into the stump underneath a few times I'd expect some slight dulling. Even with this, it's still extremely sharp for a splitting axe and works amazing.