REVIEW: Fiskars X7 Universal axe

You can't miss the black and orange parts at the hardware store. The "small" Fiskars X7 is sold by the Finns as a camping and hiking axe. But what can it really do? A practical test.

A special feature of Fiskars is certainly the unbreakable connection between head and handle. Before this connection breaks, the handle itself is more likely to break. A clear advantage over axes with wooden handles, as the handle becomes looser after a few years of use, which eventually becomes a risk. The handle is hollow all the way to the axe head. It is made of plastic with fiberglass connections. In the grip area, another softer plastic is added. This significantly contributes to comfort, as this combination absorbs almost all impacts. The handle is also weather-resistant, break-resistant, and impact-resistant. At the end of the handle, there is a widening to prevent slipping. There is also a hole for a Paracord lanyard, etc.

The biggest advantage of the hollow handle is, of course, the weight. With a total weight of 640 g, only 170 g are used for the handle. This means that compared to axes of the same weight with wooden handles, much more material and weight can be used for the axe head. This results in better striking performance. With a length of 36 cm, the X7 is suitable for backpacks.

The head is forged from carbon steel with a hardness of 58 HRC. On the front side, there is the normal cutting edge, and on the back, there is a hammer head. It is coated with a non-stick coating, so it doesn't stick in the wood anymore.

It comes with a plastic blade cover, which also has a handle. A nice Cordura bag would have been more attractive and practical, as it could be better attached to a backpack

You can cut down a tree with a diameter of 10 cm (if you have some technique) in about 2 minutes, without needing a break afterwards.

When pruning, the axe blade goes through the small branches like butter. After a few minutes, the tree is beautifully smooth without any effort or hassle. Positive impressions also when chopping firewood. Of course, you can't swing it as smoothly as with an 80 cm axe, however, the handle length is also enough for two hands in an emergency. If you have a steady hand, one arm will be enough.

We also tested the versatility. The axe cuts meat, fish, and cheese perfectly. Bread crumbled because the blade at the end becomes too thick. Making a hole in a frozen lake only cost us a laugh. We didn't expect it to be so easy.

CONCLUSION: An absolutely ingenious outdoor axe that stands out for its low weight, durability, lasting sharpness, and cool design. The high price (46 euros) should not deter you, as you will have the axe for a few decades. A tip: If you don't like the orange color, the same axe is also available from Gerber in pure black. Gerber was acquired by Fiskars in 1987, so there are a few overlapping things.

You can get the FISKARS X7 for 44.99 at ASMC. Or at the nearest hardware store.