Log splitting is a very healthy exercise. :-) Helco makes many great lumberjack tools, sad to see that they are very overpriced like many other German tools in the US.
I am in the United States, and buy german tools, I find that it is cheaper to buy a tool once, take care of it, if it is well made, than to buy the same tool every 7 years at the big box store.
Ha ha, that too, but also the american version of tools here often are not built to last. You buy a black and decker power tool, and the switch will crap out on you in 7 years (at least 50% chance). That is how they can sell the tool at $35. And the thing is around here, we used to have strong brands, but now they are all just either black and decker or royobi. It is true, that along with those two, we can buy bosch or makita, or hilti, but I imagine we have lost at least half of our power tool manufacturing to consolidation (and most of that has been bought by black and decker). Me, I just buy from europe, wire my stuff for 240 and switch the plugs. CHeers.
I have had one of these for about five years, here on the west coast of Scotland. It does a very good job, but our wood is usually very knotty and difficult, so don't cut the logs too long. I sometimes wish that it was a bit heavier, say about an eight pound head, but I think that about all mauls. I use the chain saw a lot...
Unless you have badly frozen and simultaneously stubborn wood where you aren't sinking in at all with a dull maul, you don't need to sharpen these types of tools. They split, not cut, the work is the force you put in and how well the tool can put outward force to split the wood. Even dull mauls and splitting axes generally will bit in enough to start the crack, ,then the swing force and shape of the wedge does the rest.
@@johncraftenworth7847 split wood for 2 hours take a break, sharpen it and come back and split for another 2 hours. Tell me having a sharp axe doesn't split easier.
I did get that piece split eventually, took three wedges and about 15 minutes. It was a pain, the wood fibers at that joint must have woven themselves together.
Hey gareth, haven't heard from you in a while. Yeah this thing is awesome, I went out this past weekend to split some seasoned wood and I like how I can never see to get this thing stuck like other splitting axes do.
So I got a bosch green drill press the PBD40, shipped from the UK. It is fused and 230V. My plan is to cut the cord and replace with a North American Dryer plug, no fuse. Any wisdoms to share? I was super surprised by the fuse in the cord.
The fuses in the plug and/or socket are a UK thing because of the way that they often wire their circuits in a ring to save on copper. This is why UK plugs are about twice the size of any other country. It is safe to just use a 240V cord without a fuse. Just pay attention to whether the original tool is grounded. You are never supposed to ground a double-insulated tool.
question, I would really like to have some knipex pliers for my tool bag. I'm an electrician and use 2 channel locks for compression fitting but I really don't want over 100 bucks tied up in 2 tools. have you used any alternatives that a close to the functionality of the knipex. (also afraid they would get stolen)
When you say compression fitting I assume you are talking about cord grips/bulkhead fittings? The best tool for that job would be the Knipex Pliers Wrench, but they can be pricey. If you don't care about possibly marring the surface, then the Knipex Cobras would be the way to go. The cheapest place I have found by far for the Cobra is amazon. Here is the link for the 10" versions, which you can get for under $30: amzn.to/2qkBeMt If you want something that is better for brass/plastic fittings, here is the amazon link to the Knipex 10" pliers wrench as well (but more expensive): amzn.to/2oO4oCL . There are definitely plenty of Knipex clones out there, see Real Tool Review's video on some of the one's he found. In terms of things getting stolen, you could always engrave or paint your tools, but most thieves wouldn't care.
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If your block was shorter, you'd achieve more one strike splits
Haha nice AvE reference
If you always make sure the knots are on the bottom of the piece you'll split way easier
Log splitting is a very healthy exercise. :-) Helco makes many great lumberjack tools, sad to see that they are very overpriced like many other German tools in the US.
I actually prefer manual log splitting with an axe over using a hydraulic or electric log splitter, lots of fun!
In a world with less and less manual labour, splitting wood is a ton of fun, true!
I am in the United States, and buy german tools, I find that it is cheaper to buy a tool once, take care of it, if it is well made, than to buy the same tool every 7 years at the big box store.
Defenetly true... For the american price i can buy three of them in germany...
Ha ha, that too, but also the american version of tools here often are not built to last. You buy a black and decker power tool, and the switch will crap out on you in 7 years (at least 50% chance). That is how they can sell the tool at $35. And the thing is around here, we used to have strong brands, but now they are all just either black and decker or royobi. It is true, that along with those two, we can buy bosch or makita, or hilti, but I imagine we have lost at least half of our power tool manufacturing to consolidation (and most of that has been bought by black and decker). Me, I just buy from europe, wire my stuff for 240 and switch the plugs. CHeers.
This is my favorite axe. It splits great and rarely gets stuck.
So disappointing you used rotten wood. Beautiful axe.
Great Axe and also great music .... greetings from germany
I have had one of these for about five years, here on the west coast of Scotland. It does a very good job, but our wood is usually
very knotty and difficult, so don't cut the logs too long. I sometimes wish that it was a bit heavier, say about an eight pound head, but I think that about all mauls.
I use the chain saw a lot...
hhoward14 keep your back safe. Thin rounds and mauls as light as possible
I think the round you are using as a base is too tall, might want to cut it half the length.
Looks like that wood is pretty soft, any ax would split that shit. Try some oak next time bro...
Ash is a very hard wood. Considerably harder than oak
Looks like a great tool. Thank ylu
Wood explodes from that axe
How do you sharpen the Helko Vario 2000 Heavy Log Splitter ?
Using a stone and oil. I don't think it would be any different sharpening this axe with any other axe.
Unless you have badly frozen and simultaneously stubborn wood where you aren't sinking in at all with a dull maul, you don't need to sharpen these types of tools. They split, not cut, the work is the force you put in and how well the tool can put outward force to split the wood. Even dull mauls and splitting axes generally will bit in enough to start the crack, ,then the swing force and shape of the wedge does the rest.
very carefully
@@johncraftenworth7847 split wood for 2 hours take a break, sharpen it and come back and split for another 2 hours. Tell me having a sharp axe doesn't split easier.
Great work on video mate
I love my vario 200 - dude i feel your pain at 6:57
I did get that piece split eventually, took three wedges and about 15 minutes. It was a pain, the wood fibers at that joint must have woven themselves together.
That cutting looked effortless. I guess this means that axe works as it's supposed to. Nice and different review!
Yeah it was. It might look at getting the hatchet version and try doing some one-handed splitting.
I feel the editing had something to do with the effortlessness.
They sure make a good ax. I have a couple of the traditional series..
Dave sent me.
I understand you love German made stuff.. but for god's sake.. get a real pair of calipers.. like mitutoyo or starrett
The ax gains speed the further it travels, so splitting on the ground or with a short block will enhance the effectiveness of any ax used.
looks like it is very effective. I still think that the chopper 1 is the best. But i also think that there is a right tool for every job.
Where can you buy them. I cant find the option on the website
Looked like the proverbial "hot knife thru butter"
Okay, that thing looks legit.
Hey gareth, haven't heard from you in a while. Yeah this thing is awesome, I went out this past weekend to split some seasoned wood and I like how I can never see to get this thing stuck like other splitting axes do.
So I got a bosch green drill press the PBD40, shipped from the UK. It is fused and 230V. My plan is to cut the cord and replace with a North American Dryer plug, no fuse. Any wisdoms to share? I was super surprised by the fuse in the cord.
The fuses in the plug and/or socket are a UK thing because of the way that they often wire their circuits in a ring to save on copper. This is why UK plugs are about twice the size of any other country. It is safe to just use a 240V cord without a fuse. Just pay attention to whether the original tool is grounded. You are never supposed to ground a double-insulated tool.
question, I would really like to have some knipex pliers for my tool bag. I'm an electrician and use 2 channel locks for compression fitting but I really don't want over 100 bucks tied up in 2 tools. have you used any alternatives that a close to the functionality of the knipex. (also afraid they would get stolen)
When you say compression fitting I assume you are talking about cord grips/bulkhead fittings? The best tool for that job would be the Knipex Pliers Wrench, but they can be pricey. If you don't care about possibly marring the surface, then the Knipex Cobras would be the way to go. The cheapest place I have found by far for the Cobra is amazon. Here is the link for the 10" versions, which you can get for under $30: amzn.to/2qkBeMt If you want something that is better for brass/plastic fittings, here is the amazon link to the Knipex 10" pliers wrench as well (but more expensive): amzn.to/2oO4oCL . There are definitely plenty of Knipex clones out there, see Real Tool Review's video on some of the one's he found. In terms of things getting stolen, you could always engrave or paint your tools, but most thieves wouldn't care.
The pliers wrenches are awesome, def worth the money.
Don't lend em out though, you'll have trouble getting em back!
гнилье колет и щщщаслив))))
I think my axe can split completely rotten wood too...
German precision and quality at its finest. What a beast this axe is. Definitely a must have for home/landowners. Thanks for the review.