FiskarsHickory Wood Handle 14In Norden N7 Hatchet

You would expect a company that's been making hand tools for 500 years to know a thing or two about making axes. Fiskars certainly does. I wanted something special, but also functional. There are plenty of handmade German and Swedish axes out there, but they look more ornamental than functional. The relatively new Norden line from Fiskars is the perfect blend of functional and beautiful. I compare it to some of my leather handled Estwing hammers. They're beautiful, but designed to last forever.The construction of this Norden hatchet is amazing. It's weighted perfectly for balance and has just enough heft to split kindling with ease without wearing out your arm too quickly. I use it primarily for kindling and trimming small branches, but I cut through a 5" trunk for kicks and it had no problem keeping up.I wasn't careful and accidentally hit the top of the blade on concrete. Now I have a slight chip. I was able to grind most of it off. The blade sharpens easily, but retains its sharpness very well. It actually gets a little sharper after your first few uses.I will probably take this hatchet car camping every time I go, but it's a little heavy for backpacking. If you must backpack with a hatchet, I can't think of a better one to carry. I'm sure this hatchet will be with me forever.

Couldn't be happier with this purchase. It is slightly heavier than the full composite handle, but I love the look and feel of the wood handle and most importantly it feels like it adds much better balance - worth the few extra ounces to me. The full composite balance is what always threw me off about Fiskars and would send me back to Estwing after using my buddies Fiskars. Took this out for 3 days and did all wood processing with this hatchet exclusively and it held it's edge perfectly, no need for any touch up or sharpening. Splits like a dream, I was processing some pretty large logs and some even had some gnarly knots in them. No problem. I like the leather sheath much more than the bulky composite sheath on the other models but since it is recycled leather it isn't a smooth finish but quite rough looking and very slightly gritty to the touch. Not a big deal to me, but I could see how it could fall short of some peoples expectations. This is my new truck and backpacking hatchet.

Wood handle worthy of the great head.

I love my Axes and saws but I think Fiskars absolutely made a work of art,I would say this model is the best backpacking hatchet out there.I have others that are hand made out of Germany that cost more than twice as much! but the Fiskars Norden N7 is my favorite one.Balance, weight, length, ergonomics and beautiful craftsmanship.You won’t be disappointed.

Just unboxed it and Wow , so glad I didn’t get the cheaper Chinese option.I did get the recycled leather Sheath as described , was worried about that as some reviewers got a plastic one . I will update after I try it on the field but so far , a real pice of art.

The recycled leather sheath that is pictured and in the discripture of this hatchet was not included. Contacted Fiskars with no reply so far after 2 weeks. Amazon wants over $28 for the sheath. For what this hatchet cost it should come as advertised. Buyer beware.

Awesome hatchet. Great quality and craftsmanship. Very sharp blade.

I like fiskars axes, and this thing feels great in the hand, well built, but the plastic that's holding on the head has a sharp piece of plastic where it looks like it was broken out of the mold. The last two fiskars axes I bought have this. Easy to file down, but you shouldn't have to.