Vintage USA Axe or Fiskars X27 Axe

I guess it depends if it is going to be a dedicated splitter or not. For an ax that will be only used as a splitter the x27 is hard to beat. I split 6 - 10 cords of wood each year. My rounds are 18-20" long and up to 20-22" diameter. The x27 is my go too ax and it splits almost as good as my vintage mauls but weighs way less. For a vintage splitting axe Maine wedge patterns work well but come no where close to the x-27 in my opinion. Joe
 
You've got a veritable mountain of vintage axes, weights/patterns and makers to choose from plus some version of NOS all the way to irreparably bagged (ie beat and/or worn out) and you're simply asking 'which is better'. With a Fiskars all you're doing is laying out cash, using it until the handle breaks, and then buying another one.
 
Never the fiskars, just plain never :D
You can get a 1000x better vintage axe head for way less than a fiskars, you'll be saving a vintage axe ( a piece of America ) out of the scrapyard, and you'll have the satisfaction of swinging a tool that was restored and hung by your own 2 hands.
 
That's just it 300 I was asking from a user stand point not collectability; although, I do have a soft spot for metal and wood tools just like blued and wood rifles.
 
I honestly have a good amount of vintage steel. And when it comes to felling, bucking, limbing, they are top notch. For splitting wood getting the job done, and getting it done with the lightest tool and most efficiency is important to me. Fiskars may not be pretty but they work well. Mine has lasted several years with no ill effects. Fiskars x27 is a splitting axe and it does its job and does it well.
 
Fiskars if you want something to abuse and or neglect. Vintage if you want a top performing tool and don't mind putting in a little effort to maintain and care for your tools. I own a number of old axes, they all get used, some more than others. They make fantastic users and I think even a collector will agree it beats seeing them heading off to a scrap yard or dump.
 
I have an x27, a gransfors large splitting axe, and an old ~7lb craftsman splitting maul , and some old wedges and a sledge.

I reach for the x27 almost every time. Lighter and it still works better, and I don't believe the handle will break in my lifetime. IF it breaks someday, sure, I can't rehang it, but I don't think that day will come.

That said, it isn't a good choice for trimming tree limbs. But a splitter isn't meant to be.
 
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