Fiskars X7 Review: A Lightweight Axe for Campers

In the world of outdoor tools, few brands stand out as much as Fiskars. Known for their high-quality and durable products; Fiskars has built a reputation for designing tools that deliver performance at affordable price points. The Fiskars X7 is one of the most popular choices in their lineup for both camping and general household use. The X7 is a compact yet powerful tool that’s designed for light chopping, splitting and lightweight camping. In this review, we’ll take an in-depth look at the Fiskars X7 to help you determine whether it’s the right axe for your needs.

Design

The Handle

You will have no doubt heard the phrase ‘you can’t teach an old dog new tricks’, well Fiskars disagrees. Traditionally, durability and reliability have been characteristics reserved for wooden handled axes. The Fiskars X7 camping hatchet has a lightweight composite handle, but is that a good thing?

Historically, no, plastic handles have not been comparable in terms of durability to traditional counterparts. The handle on the Fiskars X7 however seems to be different. Having owned the X7 for years and used it as a daily kindling splitter as well as a regular camping axe; the plastic shows no signs of fatigue or cracking. The Fiskars website states ‘a virtually unbreakable design’. While we don’t believe this, the claim stands up to scrutiny under normal use.

The distinctive orange accents on the black moulded plastic not only make the axe easy to spot on a forest floor but add a textured gripping surface for wet weather. The flair at the bottom of the handle serves 2 purposes. It adds support to stop the axe slipping out of your hand mid swing, and allows enough land to add a lanyard hole. Overall the shape of the X7’s handle is ergonomic and effective.

Vibrations and shock can plague poorly designed polymer handled axes. The official X7 material is FiberComp® and Fiskars claim this to be the difference maker when it comes to shock absorption. Interestingly the manufacturers data sheet for FiberComp® states the typical use case as ‘Ideal for high speed, medium load, low impact applications’. Even with an axe being the polar opposite of this description; it does a good job of limiting shock transmitted through the handle. FiberComp® seems to be a fibre composite, this meaning stiffening fibres (in this case carbon) are suspended in a matrix of flexible polymer. As a career Engineer I believe the matrix of fibres is effectively distributing the force while the flexible matrix is damping the vibrations. As a user of the axe, I just know it works.

In addition to the weight saving properties of the hollow design, the handle can be used as a storage space. When space is a premium on a camping trip, we tend to pack the handle with a lighter, fire starters and some paracord. A lightweight survival kit. You then secure the items with some additional cord through the lanyard hole. Likely not Fiskars’ intended purpose, but a beneficial feature for the ultralight hiker or camper.

The Head

The head of the Fiskars hatchet is fully surrounded by the polymer moulding. This has 2 benefits; the axe is more resistant to the head loosening on a mis-strike while also putting more total metal in the head. Traditionally an axe head would have a eye hole for the handle, this removes metal and weight. With the axe head being fully solid, this puts more weight at the business end of the hatchet and therefore more power behind your swing.

The grind on the X7 aggressively tapers out from the cutting edge. Although this can result in a loss of precision, it absolutely aids splitting. Although the small size and weight of the X7 means it struggles splitting full rounds; this hatchet absolutely flies through small to medium logs. Fiskars state there is a low friction blade coating on the blade sides to avoid getting stuck. In practice I’ve found that if the swing fails to split the log, it will still get stuck. It does however succeed far more than it fails.

Fiskars use a proprietary forged steel with hardening heat treatment for the axe head. Although the blade is comparatively hard when compared to other axes in this price range, i have still ended up with chips in the cutting edge. The chips have been mainly due to mishits and as such you can’t penalise the X7 too harshly for this. Overall the sharp edge retention is impressive and durability more than adequate with some periodic sharpening.

One oversight on Fiskars’ behalf is the finishing standard on the butt of the axe head. There is a ridge left from the forging process which makes hammering with the rear of the axe less precise. For an axe so well suited for camping, it seems an obvious feature to give the user an effective tent spike hammering surface. Nevertheless anything is a hammer if you try hard enough and this ridge is nothing 10 minutes with a file cant fix.

Sheath

The X7 comes with a plastic sheath with a securing lever. Although i prefer the look of a more traditional leather sheath it is in keeping with the lightweight and modern look of the hatchet. The axe fits securely against a retaining edge which covers the blade, clips into the rear of the sheath and is secured with an orange swivel lever. The sheath adds a safe carry handle to the axe and has also allowed me to secure it to my MOLLE organiser in the campervan. Overall a nice addition for a mid range priced axe.

Performance

Although the 14 inch X7 weighs in at just 635g the weight doesn’t tell the full story. With the hollow design and lightweight polymer construction the majority of the weight is located at the top of the handle within the head. What this means in performance terms is the power exerted at the cutting edge benefits from the long moment arm and pendulum effect. In other words, although the Fiskars X7 is lightweight, it cuts like a much heavier counterpart.

Whilst the edge profile makes the X7 a beast for splitting it can make chopping and limbing marginally more difficult when compared to a shallower taper. Although you won’t be felling any redwoods with the X7, if you intend on using it like a hatchet, it’s hard to look past the X7 as the best on the market for the price.

Verdict

The Fiskars X7 14 inch hatchet is the first item packed for backpacking, camping or campervan trips. The ratio between performance and weight is unmatched at the price point and this makes it, in our opinion, the best ultralight camping axe on the market.

The ergonomic benefits of a lightweight hatchet combined with the disproportionate splitting ability of the X7 has also meant I find myself using it as my daily kindling splitter at home. Fiskars are Finland’s oldest company and have been crafting tools since 1649. Companies don’t survive that long without making quality, well designed products and that lineage is evident in the X7. Overall, with the exception of the high price point Granfors Bruk or similar axes, I would struggle to suggest a better hatchet to anyone.

At the time of writing, the X7 can be purchased for around £40 on Amazon in the UK. Although his is about £10 more expensive than what I paid, I would have no issue buying another at this price if needed.