Fiskars X7 Hatchet Review: A Lightweight All-Purpose Hatchet That’ll Last

The Fiskars X7 Hatchet is a fantastic all-purpose hatchet that is designed to last. This versatile hatchet is a great camping companion but can also be used for self-defense, throwing, and as a household tool. Its intelligent design makes it lightweight and multi-functional, ensuring it lasts for years.

I have used the Fiskars X7 Hatchet in various situations, such as splitting wood, cutting kindling and timber, hammering in nails, and cutting down small trees and bushes. The hatchet’s light weight has meant using it for hours on end is easy, and its ergonomic design lends itself to swinging.

The hatchet’s low price also means that it is accessible to almost anyone. Its plastic handle should not be perceived to mean that it is built cheaply – it, in fact, is as durable, if not more durable, than a wood handle. It also means the handle is hollow, which makes it lightweight. Lastly, a plastic hollow handle means that the Fiskars X7 Hatchet is top-heavy, which is great for swinging and something you would look for in a good hatchet.

The Fiskars X7 Hatchet for Camping

I first used the Fiskars X7 Hatchet when splitting wood for our How To Start a Campfire guide. The hatchet went through the logs with ease without requiring any sharpening, I took it out of the box and right to splitting. This is great for anyone who is unfamiliar with sharpening as it comes out of the box razor-sharp.

While starting my campfire, I also used the Fiskars X7 Hatchet to shave wood for tinder. Because of the blade’s tapered profile, it made shaving the wood extremely easy. If the blade had a completely flat profile, it would slide right across, but the taper allowed it to dig in and peel the wood as I pressed down. Shaving tinder can be a cutting hazard for your hand, so the fact that it was so easy with the Fiskars X7 Hatchet was really impressive.

I also used it to cut down small branches for kindling. It only took one or two swings where the branch met the trunk of a tree for the Fiskars X7 Hatchet to get a clean cut. Contrast this with my older hatchet, which took four or five. Those extra swings add up when you are trying to conserve energy.

I used the Fiskars X7 Hatchet again when putting together our How to Cook Over a Campfire guide. I used it for both starting the fire and cooking. The sharp, high-quality metal makes the hatchet a great cooking tool. After sanitizing it in my fire, I used it to chop meat and veggies easily.

Cooking and fires aren’t the only places you can use the Fiskars X7 Hatchet in the campsite. I used the flat back part (also called the toe) to hammer in tent posts when the ground was stubborn and was able to straighten a bent pole with it. Its durable construction proved invaluable when using it as a hammer, as I was never worried it might break.

The Fiskars X7 Hatchet for Hiking

A hatchet can make a great hiking tool, especially when going off-trail. I have used the Fiskars X7 Hatchet a number of times when forging my own path. It is a perfect alternative to a large knife or machete for bushwhacking and can easily carve a trail. Additionally, unlike a machete or large knife, its design allows you to cut down small trees more easily.

The blade is much smaller than a machete, meaning you won’t clear as much in a single swing, but you will be able to clear thicker branches. Depending on where you’re hiking, this may be much more valuable than cutting away thick greenery. I chose to bring the Fiskars X7 Hatchet hiking instead of a machete for exactly this reason – it helped me cut through the small trees blocking my way and simultaneously make firewood.

The Fiskars X7 Hatchet for Defense and Throwing

While I haven’t personally used the Fiskars X7 Hatchet for defense when hiking, it could be a good tool of last resort. Its balance and lightweight make it easy to handle, and its ultra-sharp edge is ready to cut. It could be used for hunting if you were out of options, though a hatchet isn’t generally the right tool for this.

I have used it as a tossing hatchet a few times, and it easily stuck in. Because it is top-heavy, it tends to spin downwards, so you will have to compensate for that. It is not designed as a fighting or throwing ax, so keep that in mind, but in a pinch, it can certainly be used for either.

The Fiskars X7 Hatchet for Household Use

While most people don’t think of a hatchet as a household tool, it has many uses. Combining both the properties of a light hammer and a knife makes it great for getting small projects done, especially around the garden.

I used the Fiskars X7 Hatchet to clear away stubborn vines and branches that I couldn’t get to with an electric saw. The vines would clog it, so a handheld hatchet worked much better. I also used it to prune back some bushes that had a few unruly branches.

I have even used it to shave away some drywall and make an opening bigger. Much like making tinder, the tapered edge was great for shaving back the drywall just enough to get my measurements right.

If you have a wood fireplace, the Fiskars X7 Hatchet is great for splitting logs to burn in your

fireplace. Just two whacks is all it took for me to split a pretty large log right down the middle. It is also great for cutting open cardboard boxes, splitting them for recycling, cutting rope and twine, and pretty much anything else you can think of.

Lightweight and Durable

The Fiskars X7 Hatchet is not your typically designed hatchet. With its hollow, plastic handle and two-piece head, you may think that it is not as durable as some other, more traditionally designed hatchets. This is an incorrect assumption. During my time using the Fiskars X7 Hatchet, I have cut tons of wood, beaten metal stakes, bent metal, and cut everything under the sun with it, and never one had an issue.

Its weight makes it extremely easy to use for hours, and the handle is very ergonomic. Because it is top-heavy, gravity helps you swing, making it even easier to use for long periods. The Fiskars X7 even comes with a sheathing/carrying case, so it’s easy to transport and keep safe. When hiking, I just strapped the sheath to the outside of my pack and never had to worry about it – the design allows for hanging it on a strap or in your house on a peg board when not in use.

Maintenance and Cleaning

Eventually, like anything with a sharp edge, the Fiskars X7 Hatchet will dull. Because it’s made of high-quality forged steel, you will want to sharpen it using traditional whetstones. A tapered edge actually means it is easier to sharpen as the angle of the blade is already built in. You will want to follow the instructions of any whetstones you have while maintaining the angle of the tapered edge.

You should not have to sharpen it often, as the forged steel will maintain its edge for a long time. Of course, this will somewhat depend on usage – both frequency of use and what you are using it for – so keep an eye on the edge and sharpen as needed. Fiskars is a known high-quality brand, so you can have faith that the metal they use is made to last.

Thanks to its plastic handle, cleaning the hatchet’s handle is easy. You can use almost any cleaner to wipe it off or just warm, soapy water. Unlike wood, you don’t need to worry about discoloration or having an adverse effect on a finish. This is one of the many advantages of plastic over wood.

As for the blade, you will want to clean it off just with water and not any chemicals. If it is very dirty, use a mild soap and be sure to dry it thoroughly. Like any forged blade, it can be prone to surface tarnish if wet. Tarnish does nothing beyond affect the look of the blade; it will not affect the actual metal’s integrity.

Where to Buy

You can find the Fiskars X7 Hatchet conveniently on Amazon.

The Verdict

I have used many hatchets over the years while camping, hiking, and doing general outdoor activities, and the Fiskars X7 Hatchet has become my go-to. Not only is it easy to use, well-designed, and lightweight, but I know that it can withstand whatever I throw at it. If you are looking for a versatile tool that will last for years to come, this is the one for you.

For more great product reviews, check out Beyond The Tent!