The Fiskars X7 features a traditional hatchet design, and its small size makes it suitable for carrying inside or outside a backpack.
The Fiskars X7 Hatchet is easy-to-carry and perfect for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. The X7 Hatchet is ideal for chopping kindling and small- to medium-sized logs. The X7 was designed with advanced blade geometry to maximize performance. These features allow the blade to bite deeper when chopping.
- Length: 14″
- Weight: 22.75 oz.
The Fiskars X7 is a great hatchet for anyone looking for an inexpensive yet capable hatchet for camping, hiking, or any other outdoor activity. With its modern materials and construction, the Fiskars X7 is light and durable, on top of being inexpensive, making it a no-brainer if you’re in the market for a decent hatchet.
Who Should be Interested in the Fiskars X7?
Anyone needing an inexpensive hatchet that functions well should be interested in the Fiskars X7. It can fill any role you need a hatchet to fill, but it excels in processing small logs and limbs.
- MULTI-USE HATCHET: Sharp blade hatchet is an ideal kindling splitter for outside by the firepit,...
- EFFICIENT AND COMFORTABLE USE: Perfected balance and power-to-weight ratio increases swing speed to...
- LONG-LASTING AND RELIABLE: Blade-grinding technique provides a sharper edge for better contact and a...
- QUALITY OUTDOOR TOOLS: Designed to help you embrace the outdoors, Fiskars axes and hatchets are...
- INCLUDES: 1 Fiskars X7 Hatchet measuring 16.5" in length; Full lifetime warranty
Features
The Fiskars X7 Hatchet comes in at 1.41 pounds overall. The total length is 14″, and the cutting edge is 2.75″.
The head of the hatchet is made of high-carbon steel that is easy to sharpen.
The synthetic handle wraps around the head, holding it in place securely. It is not a full tang, but the head does extend slightly into the handle.
The handle ends with a rubberized, non-slip coating, a flared front side to help stop slipping, and a lanyard hole.
Finally, the plastic cover does its job well-fitting securely and protecting the blade without adding weight. (There are several versions of this cover. All of the ones I’ve seen look as if they would work well. Some have belt loops; others have no handles or loops.)
Competition
Pros
The Fiskars X7 is inexpensive, but it still functions great! This makes it easy to recommend to almost anyone.
If you look around a little, you’ll notice that it’s pretty hard to find anyone recommending any axes besides the X7 hatchet at this price point. That’s because you can’t get a better hatchet for less than $100 more than this little guy.
In testing, it made short work of smaller logs and trees. Even cutting through a 7″ log only took me a few mins.
The synthetic handle is supposedly stronger than steel; I don’t know that I believe that, but it feels very strong and doesn’t seem like it would break. It also seemed to absorb a large amount of vibration.
Cons
When dealing with inexpensive tools, there’s normally some cost-cutting that must be done. This comes from the steel used in the axe head. It’s a little softer than more expensive hatchets, so it doesn’t hold an edge as long as blades made of harder steel. This didn’t bother me much in testing, as it’s still very easy to bring the edge back.
You’ll notice that the hatchet comes alive once you put your edge on it! The factory edge is okay, but it isn’t the best.
The biggest con for me is the molded handle around the head of the hatchet. I like a traditional wooden handle, so you can replace it if it breaks out in the middle of nowhere. With this handle, the Fiskars X7 is trash if it breaks.
Fiskars claims a “Lifetime Warranty.” Further research says this warranty “does not cover sharpening, normal wear, and tear, environmental factors, accidental damage, misuse, industrial/commercial use.” So they will replace any product with manufacturing defects. Still, if you break it, you’re buying a new one. With the low cost of the Fiskars X7, this isn’t all that bad.
Conclusion
The Fiskars X7 Hatchet is a great piece of gear for the price. (You can buy 5 or 6 of these for the price of a Gränsfors Bruk Wildlife Hatchet.)
With that in mind, I highly recommend the Fiskars X7 if you’re going to use it a couple of times a year or if you have a bunch of kits that you want to put a hatchet in. Buy 4 or 5, and put one in with your camping gear, one in a bug-out bag, one in the trunk, etc.
In the end, it’s very hard to find a hatchet that’s more recommended than this one. That’s because it’s so hard not to fall in love with it after you’ve taken a little time to warm up to this modern take on a hatchet.
The Fiskars X7 is simply one of the best bang-for-the-buck hatchets out there. You can’t go wrong by adding one to your loadout!
