Review: Fiskars X15 Chopping Axe- Hottest Axe on the Market for any Price?

Back in April of 2011 I reviewed Fiskars' new X7 Hatchet. In that review, I made the bold proclamation that the X7 was a "Budget Gransfors Bruks killer." 

Since that time, I've eagerly awaited the chance to test and review the X7's bigger brother- the X15 Chopping Axe, hoping that it would simply be a bigger and better performing version of it's smaller sibling. The wait was definitely worth it, because, as you'll see in the review below, it did not disappoint.

Technical SPECS (from Fiskars website):

• Designed for felling trees
• Chops up to three times deeper with each swing to chop more, faster
• Perfected balance and power-to-weight ratio increases swing speed to multiply power, much like an aluminum baseball bat
• Proprietary blade-grinding technique provides a sharper edge for better contact and cleaner cuts
• Hardened forged steel blade stays sharp longer than traditional axes
• Non-stick blade coating powers through wood and prevents head from getting stuck
• Unbreakable PermaHead^™ insert-molded head will not loosen and prevents overstrike breakage
• Shock-absorbing FiberComp^® handle is lightweight yet stronger than steel to prevent overstrike damage
• Nonslip grip reduces hand strain and improves control
• Designed in Billnäs, Finland
• Included sheath helps protect blade and user
• Bit hardened to 55 RC
• 23.5" Long
• Head weight: 2.31 lbs., Total weight: 3 lbs 6oz (as measured on a digital postal scale)
• Lifetime warranty

 FEATURES

As is standard on all Fiskars X-series axes, the X15 comes with a rigid plastic sheath. Though not the most attractive, it is durable and functional. The axe head itself is made from drop-forged medium carbon steel. The steel also has a non-stick coating on it to prevent the head from getting stuck in the wood during chopping. I tried to get info from Fiskars as to what type of steel they use, but apparently Fiskars treats it as a trade secret and will only tell me that it's "medium carbon steel."

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HANDLE

As I mentioned in my previous review of the X7 Hatchet, I think Fiskars did a fantastic job creating a synthetic handle that is both comfortable and break resistant. The redesigned handle on the Fiskars X-series feels exceptional for a composite handled axe, even in some cases matching the comfort of a traditional wood handle.

A common problem with most fiberglass and metal axe handles is excess vibration when the axe is used for chopping or splitting. Through several months of testing the X15, no excess vibration was felt, and the handle always felt secure and comfortable.

If I had one criticism, it would be that Fiskars stopped making the 28" model. Though the 23.5" X15 performed exceptionally well in our field testing trials, I still pined for a longer handle. A longer handle allows for a more powerful swing along with a more relaxed posture when bucking lots of logs. If you're listening Fiskars, please bring back the 28" model as an option!

SIZE COMPARISON

Size comparison next to a 25" Wetterlings-made Husqvarna Multi-Purpose Axe (Left) and a 26" Best Made Standard Hudson Bay Axe (Right)

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EDGE PROFILE

The edge profile of the X15 shown next to the Husqvarna Multi-Purpose Axe. The Husqvarna axe came with an excellent factory profile, so I thought it would make a great side by side comparison with the X15. Though the X15 has an overall thicker, triangular shaped profile, the edge itself is very thin, allowing for deep penetration and excellent wood-shaping performance as you'll see in the field test.

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FIELD TESTING

I originally began testing the X15 back in March, and since then, it has been used for everything from bucking and felling to splitting fatwood stumps.

In deciding which axes to pit against the X15, I chose two that I felt would be well matched with the X15's overall weight and perfomance.

The first axe is my 25" Husqvarna Multi-Purpose Axe, which Wetterlings custom-produced for Husqvarna back in 2010 and 2011. It has a head that weighs roughly 2 1/4 lbs. Along with its 25" handle, I thought it would be an excellent competitor for the X15. In fact, it was the best factory chopping axe I owned prior to the X15 (more on that later!). These Wetterlings-made Husky axes came with excellent edge profiles, and most could dry-shave arm hairs right off the shelf. Not many were produced, so they are now collector's items and rather difficult to find. It was fun to be able to bring mine out and give it a serious go against the X15.

The second axe is my Best Made "Unfinished" Hudson Bay axe, currently produced by Council Tool for the Best Made Co. in New York. With its wide bit, 2lb head and 26" long handle, the Best Made axe has been one of the best performing mid-weight axes in my collection. Like the Husqvarna Multi-Purpose Axe, I felt it would be an excellent competitor against the X15. For more info on the Best Made Axe, check out the review we did on it earlier this year.

Chopping

X15 vs Husqvarna Multi-Purpose Axe

When I pitted the Husqvarna against the X15, I honestly expected it to trounce the X15. The Husqvarna is essentially a Wetterlings Scandinavian Forest Axe on steroids, so imagine my surprise when it had its head handed to it (pun intended!). The X15's bit hit the log hard and deep, popping out large chips in the process. In fact, chips were flying so hard, one hit my cheek and left a bruise in the process. As shown in the photos below, the X15 dominated the 30-chop competition. (the log used was a dead Ponderosa Pine).

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X15 vs Best Made Hudson Bay Axe

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Below, the log used for the chopping test. In the second photo, my canvas tent is vaguely visible in the background.

30 chops into the dead Ponderosa Pine log. The Best Made axe definitely made a great showing but still couldn't beat the X15.

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Finishing off the job with the X15. This log was definitely bigger than I'd normally chop with a 3/4 axe.

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More chopping 

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FEATHERSTICKS

Below is a comparison of feathersticks made by all three axes. Though the competition was close, I still think the Best Made's extra wide bit is the best for feathering. However, the X15 turned in a performance that was very close to that of the Best Made.

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LIMBING

To add a new dimension to my test battery, I decided to use the X15 to limb a large Ponderosa Pine that had been blown down by a wind storm. 

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The X15's excellent chopping ability made the job easy and enjoyable.

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SPLITTING

The X15's wedge-shaped head made it an exceptional splitter. For this test, I used an extremely knotted Ponderosa Pine log that was chopped out of a section of a dead blow-down tree. Even with the knots, it took minimal effort to reduce the log into more manageable pieces. 

First swing:

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Second swing and the resulting pile of split wood after finishing the job:

Rough testing the axe by using it to split up a sawed fatwood stump. No edge degradation occurred during this test.

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CONCLUSION

During the many months of testing, I never experienced any issues with the edge getting dinged or dented, even when chopping through the occasional knot. There have been issues in the past with Fiskars axes that have edges that easily dented, but so far, my experience with the X-series has been very positive.

Having used a lot of Fiskars axes, I theorize that the denting might be caused by the extra thin edge that comes on them from the factory. I always sharpen my Fiskars before using them, and I've almost never had a problem with denting using this method. I think the sharpening removes just enough metal to strengthen the edge. If anyone else has had the same experience please chime in at the comments section below.

All in all, I believe the Fiskars X15 just might represent the best overall value on the axe market today. With almost unrivaled chopping and splitting performance, the X15 simply blows away the competition. In fact, nothing in my collection of Swedish, German, American and vintage axes, was able to outchop the X15 for its size. With a lifetime warranty and a price that's generally under $35, you might even say it's unbeatable.

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UPDATE: Check out RMB's full review
of Fiskars' new 28" Chopping Axe

About the author

Jason Schwartz is the founder and senior editor of Rocky Mountain Bushcraft. He is a former Red Cross certified Wilderness & Remote First Aid Instructor, and has taught bushcraft and wilderness survival techniques to the Boy Scouts of America, interned with the US Forest Service, and studied wilderness survival, forestry and wildland firefighting at Colorado Mountain College in Leadville, Colorado. Jason has also written for magazines such as The New Pioneer and Backpacker, including writing the "Tinder Finder" portion of Backpacker's "Complete Guide to Fire," which won a 2015 National Magazine Award (NMA). Email him at rockymountainbushcraft @ hotmail.com (without spaces)