Do I need a roselli long axe?

[seraphim]

Hello All!

The answer is of course I don't 'need' one! BUT, Are they any good?

As the man who has everything (ha ha!), I don't really have any wants or must have's for my upcoming birthday, but the Mrs (bless her) still wants to get me something.

I currently use a hults agdor (roughly SFA sized) which is 'ok' along with a big old maul when I'm splitting for the home wood burner. I love the look of the roselli for the thick bit (better at splitting knotty wood than the SFA? And it would hopefully get some use, plus looks reasonably easy to keep sharp enough for splitting usuing a simple lansky puck?

I still have a wildlife hatchet that's never seen anger just used for a little light feathering! If I wanted to take a tree down, I'd use my stihl!

Also, are the hults classic mini's any good/useful compared to the GB Mini etc.? (too much time looking at axes!)

 

[Chris the Cat]

All I can say is that my large Roselli is the best pack sized splitter i have ever used.
Best.

cat.

 

[Gill]

Yes you do need one !

 

[seraphim]

Hmm, now I've seen a fiskars x25 which looks to be very good as a splitting axe?!?!?! Anyone used one?

Not exactly an object of beauty by any means but it looks like it'd be fairly effective at splitting?

P.S Thanks for the justification, of course i really do NEED a new axe! hate using the maul!

 

[swright81076]

Hmm, now I've seen a fiskars x25 which looks to be very good as a splitting axe?!?!?! Anyone used one?

Not exactly an object of beauty by any means but it looks like it'd be fairly effective at splitting?

P.S Thanks for the justification, of course i really do NEED a new axe! hate using the maul!

I've seen the x25 in action, loads of YouTube videos around too. Its a monster.

touched by nature

 

[welchyd1]

Hmm, now I've seen a fiskars x25 which looks to be very good as a splitting axe?!?!?! Anyone used one?

Not exactly an object of beauty by any means but it looks like it'd be fairly effective at splitting?

P.S Thanks for the justification, of course i really do NEED a new axe! hate using the maul!

I've got an x25 and it's awesome as long as you don't put it through your foot on the first swing like I did. Just been out and split all the wood I had in the log store in about 2 hours. it's a beast you won't be disappointed.

 

[alex.c]

I hope he doesn't mind me posting it but heath on here did a great review of it on his blog.http://holtheathwoodentreen.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/axe-file-no1-roselli-allround-axe.html
Cheers
Alex.

 

[Mad Mike]

Hmm, now I've seen a fiskars x25 which looks to be very good as a splitting axe?!?!?! Anyone used one?

Not exactly an object of beauty by any means but it looks like it'd be fairly effective at splitting?

P.S Thanks for the justification, of course i really do NEED a new axe! hate using the maul!

I have one & it is a joy to split wood with - I usually get to watch someone else do most of the work as they all want a go - everybody likes it.

Mike

 

[robevs73]

I dont like them personally (I had one for years), but my mate Russ loves his.

 

[Fin]

A few thoughts on mine:

I once went through a stage of going against the flow when it came to kit, and so when it came time to buy a small axe, I steered clear of "everybody's" favorite - the GB SFA - and went for the Roselli Long. The deep beard more curved edge and thicker bit appealed.

As other's have said - it's probably the best small, all in one splitter out there, but it no longer comes with me to my camp site.

Why? Because for me, splitting is all it did. The head shape shouts "Ulu!" but I found the bit too thick to get a shaving edge and it therefore wasn't much cop when drawing. The black finish wears easily (mine is now almost completely silver and needs more frequent oiling to prevent rust).

In the end I went with the flow and bought an SFA - much better, higher quality finish, a doddle to maintain, uber sharp and, with the right technique, just as good a splitter, but with a thinner bit for finer work.

The Roselli Long still earns it's keep - it lives near my woodburner in the living room for when I want to smash some firewood to size, and this is probably my main gripe with it. Small axes can be the most dangerous of edged tools and the head shape/ profile of the Roselli requires more brute force as opposed to finesse. When I'm "smashing" firewood with it, I'm always in the kneeling position.

From a very inexpert axe wielder - I hope this helps!

 

[seraphim]

As i'm 5'10 and only 160lbs ringing wet (i hate that 8lb maul after 4 hours!) Anyone who has one think the x25 would be better than the x27 or vice versa for splitting for someone my size.

I still want a roselli, just because it looks so nice! But most of my axe work is splitting rounds for seasoning so the fiskars looks like the right tool for the job!

 

[Nonsuch]

Alternative : the Gransfors splitting range are good. I have the large splitting axe and it splits anything. Not as distinctive-looking 'though.

 

[heath]

I think it really depends on what you want it for. For its size I don't think you can go wrong for an allround axe. I would disagree that it's not versatile. I've used mine to fell a tree, split wood and carve a spoon. You can get a great edge on it despite the thick head. It's not my first choice for a carving axe, but then that's because I own axes that specialise in this task. However, if you don't think that it's a good axe for carving then check out John Mac's blog 'spoon carving first steps'. Until recently the Roselli was his main carving axe and he did some beautiful work with it. If you want it just for splitting, then I would definitely go for a splitting maul, there's no competition, but you won't get it to do much else. Of course the axe is only part of the equation.

 

[seraphim]

Went ahead and ordered the Fiskars X27. And will be getting a set of shin guards and a tyre for the top of my chopping block as well!

Will still probably want a Rosseli though, got the itch to scratch now, and want to use it for myself!

 

[woof]

I had one, |& rather foolishly sold it to follow the herd & get an sfa, sold that, got a cegga, sold that, currently have an hultafors trekker, but want a rosseli again.



Rob