Fiskars

Fiskars has been making tools in Finland since 1649, making them one of the oldest companies in the Western world. Over the centuries, they've earned their reputation by getting two things right: smart design and tools that actually work for the people using them. Their axes and hatchets are particularly worth knowing about.

The premium Norden line carries hickory handles and a classic Scandinavian profile, while the X-Series uses a proprietary fiberglass composite that's lighter than wood but takes a beating. From splitting firewood to pruning the back forty, Fiskars makes the kind of tools that earn their place in a Maine garden shed.