estwing or fiskars x7 hatchet?

O

OzarkCreekWalker

Joined
Jul 25, 2011
Messages
521
i need a good, cheap little axe or hatchet. i would think the estwing would be better because it is clearly sturdier but the x7 seems to very popular
 
Hmmm, I own both an older 12" Estwing hatchet and the X7, which I reviewed here a while back. If you have skill with sharpening an axe and thinning out the profile then the Estwing is great. If you don't, then the X7 is a great choice as it will outchop any hatchet on the market today off the shelf.
 
coloradowildman said:
Hmmm, I own both an older 12" Estwing hatchet and the X7, which I reviewed here a while back. If you have skill with sharpening an axe and thinning out the profile then the Estwing is great. If you don't, then the X7 is a great choice as it will outchop any hatchet on the market today off the shelf.
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yeah if i tried to reprofile the estwing i would screw it up unless it just involves sanding down both sides or changing the bevel angle. I just cringe at the X7 sheath but i can make a new one.
 
For the record I have a few Estwings on order for the shop that I plan on thinning out/convexing before they go up on the site. Either is great, but I like that the Estwing is USA-made. :)
 
They are both good hatchets, but I regularly use the X7. It may be ugly but it performs great and I think its a great tool for the price. Check out the Kiahdex forum to see a great X7 sheath. I grabbed one and my hatchet rides comfortably on either side of my belt and the sheath holds it securely.
 
Many people love the Estwings. They are extremely tough. However, there are a few things about the estwings that kill the whole thing for me. 1. You can't comfortable choke up on the handle for more precise control. 2. They transfer a lot of shock to your hands. 3. The profile causes them to be less efficient for splitting kindling and they bind up in wood more easily.

I would go for a quality head on hickory any day of the week. Personally, I'd take the fiskars over the estwing. I think all of the gerber versions of the fiskars hatchets come with actual sheaths (nylon).

Sorry estwing fans...just my humble opinion.

Matt
 
Personally I don't find a lot of shock transference with Estwings, but they are definitely more of a felling-type bit for sure. You CAN choke up on them--it just takes something of a different grip. The Fiskars pieces are top notch, though, and I own one of their Splitting Axe models myself. Does a great job. :cool:
 
Operator1975 said:
You know where I am going?
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Crazy? Yep, knew that already! :D

I'm assuming your thinking of recommending an old quality piece. I would definitely hit up the yard sales, flea markets, pawn shops, antique stores, thrift stores, etc.
 
Oh, here is something for comparison to the Fiskars - and relates to the Kelly thread. 2 for 1. Boo ya

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M3mphis said:
Crazy? Yep, knew that already! :D

I'm assuming your thinking of recommending an old quality piece. I would definitely hit up the yard sales, flea markets, pawn shops, antique stores, thrift stores, etc.
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I've been checking out the flea markets and antique shops. Surprisingly, the only thing i have found is a big heavy double bit axe.
Besides that, I don't have enough money for a GB, although i would like to get one someday. Until then i have to stay with these cheap ones. I think i'll give the X7 a go.
 
I've been doing a little home firewood cutting in Sequoi Nat'l Forest at 8,000 feet recently. In head to head comparison between the Fiskars X7 and Gransfors Bruks Small Forest Axe, I would say that when equally sharpened at the same angle on a Spyderco SharpMaker, that the X7 has 90 to 95% of the chopping power of the SFA!

Not bad for $21. For what you pay, it is quite good.

For the rest of the comparison, their edge holding is similar, SFA has a more comfortable handle, which also absorbs shocks a little better than the X7's plastic hollow handle.

The X7 is so good that you have to spend 5 or 7 times as much to get something that is only a little better. The X7 is definately the one to get, for budget minded users.

So, what's my goto limbing axe? Still the SFA, of course. The proven X7 lives behind my bench seat, though, and is now my designated vehicle pioneer tool.

I reconfiscated my old lighter weight Fiskars from Dad's ongoing hatchet destruction test. He never did manage to effect destruction in the couple of years he had it. All he managed was to break a small, inconsequential chunk out of the plastic that fastens head to handle, via the typical mechanism of wood splinters wedging in between head/handle junction.

I sharpened the dull and abused thing back to 40 degrees and medium sharpness, and dropped it into my mule deer hunting pack for this fall.
 
Just got those Estwings in--I must say that I'm actually preferring the Rigger's Axe over the Camping Axe for a general camping tool. Since I'll be putting a keen edge on them before they go up on the site I'm thinking I might give the Rigger's Axe and Carpenter Hatchet a slight reshaping of the bit so it has a little more of a conventional "smile" like a normal woods axe. The Rigger's is nice and balanced and feels lively in the hand. I'm able to choke up on it no problem, and the framing hammer head on the poll would be great for driving stakes or wedges. I might have to keep one for myself to use around the barn. I've been doing a few renovation projects lately, so maybe that'll be my excuse. :p
 
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