Fiskars Norden N12 Splitting Axe with Eco-Friendly Recycled Leather Sheath

Adam: After muddling along with a cheapo hatchet for years, I'm very happy with this purchase. After a quick sharpening with the Lansky, it goes right through 4-5 inch rounds with almost zero effort. If I was in a Fellowship of the Ring scenario, instead of being like Gimli and offering my ax, I would keep quiet and hang out in the background. I'm not giving this ax to anybody.

Honestly, the 19-inch N12 may be a little bit of overkill just for camping-related wood splitting. The 17-inch N10 would likely be plenty for most people, and a little bit smaller. Can't go wrong with either one though.

United States on Jun 11, 2023

Andrew Kotys: I already had a medium cutting axe and a large maul for working with 16” logs. What I needed was something to handle making kindling anywhere from1/2 diameter to 2” diameter. This model is perfect for the described task and is surprisingly effective in slitting larger logs. I highly recommend this particular model.

United States on Dec 28, 2022

Aaron Daniel: This is a beautiful axe that is a real joy to use. Unfortunately, my head broke off the third time I used it splitting wood. I buy my wood already split, and break it down to smaller pieces for fires. This axe did an excellent job. I had friends over for a fire during a winter storm, when it broke. I think the plastic became brittle in the freezing temp. I store it inside in an all season room with no heat or a/c- so, it was exposed to freezing temps for days. I recommend only using this axe in Spring, Summer, or Fall. I'm sad I didn't know this. It was a good looking axe that was very easy to use. I'm a small guy (5'6", 160 lbs). It was very comfortable, and worked great splitting. I just wish there was a warning that it may become brittle in cold temps. I would've only used it in summer. I really loved this axe, and am heart broken to have seen it fatally fail like this. I only owned it for a little over a year. I have other axes, so, it didn't get much use at all.

United States on Jan 30, 2022

William: I have purchased the N12, N10, and N7. I believe all are a worthwhile purchase and would likely be considered a mid-level hand axes to purchase. If you like the X series of hand axes that Fiskars makes then you will enjoy these even more with the improved appearance. The N12 is impressive for splitting small to medium size logs given its size. It really shines when it comes to splitting kindling. It will likely have a permanent spot in the truck for camping season as I can grab a piece of firewood and have it into kindling within a minute or two. The N10 is probably the most versatile of the three in that it can chop fairly well and still work as a splitting axe. If you can only bring one and aren't going super light it is good choice. The N7 seems like a nice backpacking hatchet, but I haven't had a chance to play with it as much.

I would give all the axes five stars, but it just seems like they got the last 10% on the finishing touches with these axes and slacked off. On all three there was a rough spot in the plastic molding that required using a file to smooth out. I believe it resulted in the way the molding was poured, and then snapped out of the mold. Just kind of a...

United States on Apr 07, 2021

E. Wonsek: I have 3 other Fiskars spitting axes, the X27, the x7 and the splitting maul. I'm not a pro, just a homeowner turned wood splitting enthusiast from living on a wooded lot. We need to have tress taken down from time to time and I have grown to really enjoy the process of cutting, splitting and seasoning wood to burn in our high efficiency Loki fireplace and outdoor fire pit. I love the Fiskars but recently I started longing for a wood handle axe, mostly for nostalgic and tactile reasons. Almost pulled the trigger on other more expensive German and Swiss splitting axes but Fiskars released this just in time. The modern lines and components of thier original Fiskars is what drew me to them in the first place so this was the best of all worlds for me.

I am a designer as my profession so form matters. It is beautiful to look at, particularly the way the wood meets the resin head with a metal ring. Great details and I will never have to worry about the head flying off. If the handle breaks (although I can't image it will), I'm sure Fiskars will replace. They are a great company that stand behind their product. The balance is perfect, I use one handed and both hands for splitting...

United States on Dec 15, 2020