Putting up Helko Vario against the Fiskars X27

[OhioBurner©]

Ok so way back when I first started cutting my own wood I got an 8# maul from Lowes I think it was. Once I started reading up on the forum I realized there where other options that might be better, and that maul was really tiring. I'm a lean guy, a distance runner, not someone who's going to compete in arm wrestling or the deadlift! At the time the Fiskars Super Splitter was all the rage, but it had a really short handle and reputation for some close calls with feet and shins and such. There was a review back then about Helko, which made it seem to be a good competitor if not far superior than the Fiskars. But it was out of stock in the only American distributer I could find. The website said out of stock until Fall ('11 I think it was). Well I waited. Fall came and went. The new year came and the website was switched to simply saying out of stock. I think it was the next Spring that the Fiskars X27 came out with the longer handle. It instantly got great reviews. I couldn't wait any longer and ordered one. I was really amazed at how much easier the X27 could split most wood. Yeah the narly stuff it wasn't much better with, especially the pieces you really had to pry open wide and all the way down to get em apart. But 90% of the time it was far superior to the maul.

Since then I've occasionally checked and the Helko remained out of stock. Until this year. I saw it was not only available from the one place but also on amazon. I thought about it a while and said what the heck. I always wanted a slightly heavier version of the X27, so the Vario 2000 Heavy Log Splitter with 36" hickory handle and 2300g head (5.1lbs) seemed to fit the bill. (broken link removed to http://www.helkonorthamerica.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=193)I thought maybe I'd also get a slightly lighter one, and sell the Fiskars if I liked the new combo. So I also got the Helko Tomahawk Scandinavian splitting axe with a composite 32.5" handle and 3.5 lbs head. (broken link removed to http://www.helkonorthamerica.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=78&products_id=185)

Neat thing with the Helko is you can swap heads and handles. The head goes on with two bolts so its a snap to do.


Close up of the Scandinavian Splitting Axe head.


The Vario Heavy Splitter came with a nice heavy leather edge protector, wrench for the head bolts, and some protective oil.



Close up of The Vario Heavy Splitter.



All my splitters.


Closer comparison.


So how do they perform?

I had a few cords of ash I had just cut so I put them all to work. This was actually my first time cutting ash, on the farm I used to cut the only dead trees where typically cherry and black locust. The ash was mostly cut 18", and rounds up to 24" or around there. I could tell right away the Heavy Splitter was very heavy. This wasn’t just a little heavier than the Fiskars, it felt pretty much like the 8# maul. I think the Hickory handle really added to the weight. The handle was also much larger than any of the other axes and mauls I had (not longer, I mean the thickness of the grip). Might be better for someone with larger hands, but I prefer the smaller handle of the Fiskars. It didn't seem to split any easier either. Sure it split well, but most of the pieces that I didn't get the first split with the Fiskars, I couldn't get on the next split with the Vario either. And the Vario just took a noticeable amount more effort to lift and swing. With my thin build, the X27 felt better in my hand and I could swing it with a bit greater precision. I have no doubt that the Vario might be a little more effective for someone a bit bulkier than I.

So then I moved on to the Scandinavian splitter. It's suppose to penetrate but not 'stick' due to the side profile of the blade. Well on anything decent sized, say over 12", it wasn't splitting it in one whack and it was sticking as nearly as much as the X27. And Helko specifically states to be careful to only rock the handle straight up and down and no sideways or twisting forces, so it was harder to remove than the X27. I tried it on my big pile of limbs. I like to split anything big enough to stand on end at least once. It did an okay job here, and was noticeably lighter and less effort needed than the Fiskars. However my accuracy was off. With all the weight of the head infront of the handle it just balanced differently. maybe I am just too accustomed to the X27 after a few years with it. I'd say I might still prefer it for the light stuff, except not at nearly double the cost of the Fiskars.

YYMV. For me the Fiskars X27 remains my go to axe. It just fits me and my style. And for the price its hard to beat. But the Helko is great quality, and might be a better choice for someone who thinks the Fiskars is just too light.

 

[jeffesonm]

nice writeup, thanks

 

[Rossco]

Nice write up for sure. The Vario looks neat. Shame you couldn't get the fancy Husky to add.

Iam a fiskars man myself. Anything else just don't feel right!

 

[Jags]

Thanks for the write up and I appreciate the fact that you acknowledge the fact that people are built different. So often a blanket statement of "xxx is the clear winner" doesn't take into account the variables that can be present. Who knows, if you were splitting birch you could have had a different outcome, or if you were 6' tall with heavy upper body build it could change things as well.

Nicely done.

 

[splitoak]

Its a purdy axe tho

 

[Jon1270]

If you feel the need to add to the collection, I've recently read good things about the (broken link removed to http://www.husqvarna.com/uk/accessories/chainsaw-accessories/husqvarna-s2800/).

 

[Firewood Bandit]

Great write up and pics OP.

I have really thought about a Vario 2000, it's just cool. I still might get one and hang it on the wall. The web site on the Helko line doesn't really show the profile of the head well.

After seeing the "thickness of the Vario 2000 I feel it wouldn't split as well as the X27.

 

[JRJ]

Excellent write up! Thanks for the great information. I just got my X27 last night and can't believe how much I already love this thing! I was splitting in the dark after work!

 

[toddnic]

Thanks for the information! Quite helpful!

 

[OhioBurner©]

Well shoot, I had several responses typed up I must have forgot to hit the send button. I'll try and respond quick... And thanks all for the compliments!

Thanks for the write up and I appreciate the fact that you acknowledge the fact that people are built different. So often a blanket statement of "xxx is the clear winner" doesn't take into account the variables that can be present. Who knows, if you were splitting birch you could have had a different outcome, or if you were 6' tall with heavy upper body build it could change things as well.

Nicely done.

Yeah I agree. One reason you have to really be careful reading reviews on any products. Some things will work for / fit some people better than others. And too bad I didn't have any other species of wood to try. However I'll say this load of ash really covered the whole spectrum. Few pieces were as easy for me to split as most say ash is. For the most part this ash was somewhat 'stringy' and most peices took many hits. Sure there were a few one hit wonders, but more 4-8 hit to split. Not to mention all the larger rounds over 16" that I didn't bother going straight through since they never split that way, but did slab off pretty easy around the outside. Lots of pieces with internal wave, or unseen internal knotts, and plenty of ones that were crotches and such. I'm about 3/4 through my estimated 4 cords, and have 4-6 pieces I had to noodle with the saw, and another 4-6 pieces I have tossed aside for the next time I get the saw out.

Its a purdy axe tho

Especially the hickory handled axes. They are very nice, and very high quality if I didn't stress that before. Nice enough just about to hang on the mantle!

The web site on the Helko line doesn't really show the profile of the head well. After seeing the "thickness of the Vario 2000 I feel it wouldn't split as well as the X27.

The profile is similar to the X27, however it is just a tiny bit greater angle and the height is greater as well so less penetration. It really feels more like a maul in my hand, just one that feels more like an axe. I'd say it is more effective than my 8# maul doing a normal axe swing.

Actually on a lot of the tougher pieces that took multiple hits (I would go back and forth every swing between Fiskars and Helko) I'd say they were about equal, just that it took a lot more effort to swing the Helko.

I *suspect* the Helko Heavy Log Splitter would outgun the X27 with someone that could swing it a bit harder. The Fiskars seem to benefit from more speed, which I can do fairly well, but this heaver axe might just need a little bit more force.