Strike while the fire’s hot…

…Fiskars next generation axes – an evolution of craftmanship

The past few years have seen a Renaissance for wood burning fires and stoves. With rising costs of gas, electricity and oil – plus the glorious warmth of a wood burning fire or stove – many people have returned to the tradition of collecting, chopping and burning wood.

Chopping wood may sound like a tough and muscle demanding chore to some, but it no longer needs to be. Fiskars, a leading Finnish producer of exclusive quality gardening tools, introduces its range of Next Generation axes that builds upon 20 years of experience and fine-tuning of every detail imaginable to facilitate make chopping wood an easy task for all.

The axe head is integrated into the blade design to ensure it remains put under use. The ultralight and durable Fibercomp™ handle minimises fattigue and makes the axe virtually unbreakable. The perfect balance between head and shaft guarantee a safe and efficient swing. The anti-shock, hooked end of the handle offers a firm and comfortable grip. The subtle, yet ingenious improvement of the blade geometry, contributes to the refined user experience, as the rounder edges ensure easier removal from the log when splitting wood.

All meticulously calculated features that truly qualifies this range to be an evolution of craftmanship.

So, next time you need some wood for the fireplace, show off your skills with Fiskars new axe range. Most of the range weighs just over 1 kilo – lighter than the average handbag!

A family of seven

Fiskars new axe range consists of 4 universal/chopping axes for woodcraft, carpentry, pruning, cutting and logging, and 3 splitting axes for splitting firewood – in various sizes for different sized logs. But don’t dispair, the new axes all have their names printed on the shaft, which facilitates choosing the right tool for the right task. Available January 2011.

Stay Sharp

All new axes come with a sheath, a valuable and practical part of the axe, which protects both blade and user. The secure lock is easy to open and close and the sheath also serves as a handy carrying grip. The elegant finish of the new sheath design is in perfact harmony with the axe’s superior quality and performance.

Fiskars Next Generation Axes were awarded a ”2010 Red Dot Design Award” in one of the largest and most renowned design competitions worldwide. It is only conferred to particularly creative, innovative, and high-quality products.

How to cut the perfect log

There are many different techniques for splitting wood, but these are four easy steps to remember:

1. Place the log you need to split on a chopping block with the line of the grain running parallel with you. This will ensure that when the axe hits the wood, the force will be directed along the grain and not against it.

2. Stand with your legs slightly apart, though no more than the width of your shoulders. Then raise the axe high above your head.

3. Bring the axe down quite hard, aiming to hit the wood squarely along the grain.

4. Don’t worry if the wood doesn't split immediately, just repeat steps 2 and 3.

Fiskars is a leading global supplier of consumer products for the home, garden, and outdoors. The group has a strong portfolio of respected international brands, including Fiskars®, Iittala®, Gerber®, Silva®, and Buster®. Founded in 1649 and listed on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki, Fiskars is Finlands oldest company. Fiskars recorded net sales of €663 million in 2009, and employs some 3,600 people.

<>