Helko Vario 2000 Heavy Log Splitter

[Marshy]

Ah.....that makes total sense about the shoulder.

The poly handle is only 32" I believe. I spent a lot of time rooting through their website.

You might be right on that. I dont see the length of the handle listed for the composit heavy log splitter however they only offer a 31.5" composit replacement handle...

I believe the next splitting tool I buy is going to be a heavier maul though, not another splitting axe. Have you tried their Top Line product? The Heavy Splitter has a 6.2 lb head weight and the Heavy Splitting Maul has a 7.7lb head weight.

 

[benp]

You might be right on that. I dont see the length of the handle listed for the composit heavy log splitter however they only offer a 31.5" composit replacement handle...

I believe the next splitting tool I buy is going to be a heavier maul though, not another splitting axe. Have you tried their Top Line product? The Heavy Splitter has a 6.2 lb head weight and the Heavy Splitting Maul has a 7.7lb head weight.

I like the looks of the top line series. I never really considered them because of the wood handles. We just don't get along.

 

[Marshy]

I like the looks of the top line series. I never really considered them because of the wood handles. We just don't get along.

Thats the primary reason I bough the Fiskars. Well... the warranty on the poly handle is why... but, in any case I will eventually buy a heavy maul and it may or may not have a poly handle. The Fiskars IsoCore maul ranks high on my list, especially since its cheaper than the Top Line (or similar mauls) and because they maintain the lifetime warranty...
http://www2.fiskars.com/Products/Gardening-and-Yard-Care/Axes-and-Mauls/IsoCore-8-lb-Maul-36

 

[johnnylabguy]

Thats the primary reason I bough the Fiskars. Well... the warranty on the poly handle is why... but, in any case I will eventually buy a heavy maul and it may or may not have a poly handle. The Fiskars IsoCore maul ranks high on my list, especially since its cheaper than the Top Line (or similar mauls) and because they maintain the lifetime warranty...
http://www2.fiskars.com/Products/Gardening-and-Yard-Care/Axes-and-Mauls/IsoCore-8-lb-Maul-36

That Helko is pretty! But I too would fear for its handle with my ham fists operating. I'm interested in that Isocore though. I love my fiskers 27 but it's a bit overmatched in big >16" wide rounds. To be fair I do cut mine in 20 inch lengths too. Wonder how the ISO and Helko compare?

 

[maul ratt]

Mark,

Just curious as to how this compares to the other splitting tools you have tested. Have you used a Fiskars X27 yet?

As of now the Husky S2800 is my go-to but I haven't used the Helko or any of the Stihl tools.

Steve

Yes, several years ago, I bought the Fiskars X27 as soon as it hit the shelves. Before that time, I used to use a 28" Fiskars Super Splitting Axe/Maul, which works awesome when using a compact swing. I prefer a 36" handle when taking a big swing.

As far as how the Helko compares, I would say it's one of my top go-to mauls. I'm very impressed with it.

 

[dancan]

Ah.....that makes total sense about the shoulder.

I "imagine" the polyamide handle "would be" comparable to Stihl's splitting axe. That's just me guessing though.



The poly handle is only 32" I believe. I spent a lot of time rooting through their website.

The head style is different but, the handle looks close but not quite .

 

[benp]

The head style is different but, the handle looks close but not quite .

I just meant that it's made from the polyiamide material in similarity.

 

[Guswhit]

I have one. Father gave it to me as a gift probably 10 years ago now. Feels great in your hands and does a fairly descent job splitting straight grained wood. Problem, IMO, maybe my own fault, bolts in head became a little loose and I snapped one off in the axe head. I welded it shut and machined it out again, ordered replacement parts from the company and it has happened a 2nd time. I was meticulous in keeping them tight before the second time. It was the other one that snapped this time. Not sure if I should have used some loc tite to help keep the vibration down, but I have put it on the shelf for now.

 

[svk]

I have one. Father gave it to me as a gift probably 10 years ago now. Feels great in your hands and does a fairly descent job splitting straight grained wood. Problem, IMO, maybe my own fault, bolts in head became a little loose and I snapped one off in the axe head. I welded it shut and machined it out again, ordered replacement parts from the company and it has happened a 2nd time. I was meticulous in keeping them tight before the second time. It was the other one that snapped this time. Not sure if I should have used some loc tite to help keep the vibration down, but I have put it on the shelf for now.

Perhaps to the bolts get distressed over time and they should be changed every X years?

 

[Guswhit]

I have 2 powered splitters, a big hydraulic and a supersplit, so probably not distressed bolts! I have found the older I get, the more I want to use powered stuff.

 

[CoreyB]

I have one. Father gave it to me as a gift probably 10 years ago now. Feels great in your hands and does a fairly descent job splitting straight grained wood. Problem, IMO, maybe my own fault, bolts in head became a little loose and I snapped one off in the axe head. I welded it shut and machined it out again, ordered replacement parts from the company and it has happened a 2nd time. I was meticulous in keeping them tight before the second time. It was the other one that snapped this time. Not sure if I should have used some loc tite to help keep the vibration down, but I have put it on the shelf for now.

I wonder if @Split Maester would have any input